China Overland tours holidays

China Holidays and China Tours

China is an ancient civilisation which extends over a large area in East Asia, on the western shore if the Pacific Ocean. It is the third largest country in the world. Many people go on holidays in China because it contains some of the world’s most revered treasures, such as The Great Wall, Terra-Cotta Warriors and the Yantze River. You can also visit Shanghai and Beijing on a China holiday and admire the spectacular architecture and towering skylines. China holidays will give you the opportunity to sample some of the exquisite cuisine including Shanghai noodles, Guangdong dumplings, Sichuan soup and Beijing duck.

China is a country of such huge size and variety. When considering taking tours in China it’s a good idea not to try and see everything in one go. The climate will vary depending on where you are taking tours in china. The southern part is in the tropical zones and the northern part near the frigid zones. It is worth researching the seasons in each province carefully when planning your holidays in China.

China is constantly evolving and has a fantastic history and cultural past. One China holiday is not really enough – you will want to return and explore some more. Many China tours attempt to capture the highlights of China and there are many to choose from that will take you on a magical journey you’ll never forget.

Yunnan Holidays and Yunnan Tours

Yunnan is a province of China in the far southwest of the country and borders Burma, Laos and Vietnam. Visitors on a Yunnan tour should visit the cultural capital city, Kunming, which is popular for its mild climate, beautiful plateau landscape and ethnic folklore.

Yunnan holidays should also include a visit to the spectacular Tiger Leaping Gorge, with its towering walls and dramatic beauty, and the majestic Yangtze River.

There are many Yunnan Tours on offer – you may find yourself being introduced to a variety of ethnic groups, such as the Bai, Naxi, Mosuo, and Tibetans. It is a good idea to choose a Yunnan tour which contributes to the support of nature conservation, cultural heritage protection and community development.

Great Wall of China holidays

The Great Wall of China was originally built to protect the northern borders of the Chinese Empire against intrusion by various nomadic groups. You can take holidays that involve trekking the Great Wall of China, which will give you a sense of scale and appreciation of the majesty of this remarkable piece of engineering. It is worth trekking the Great Wall of China in a small group and getting a closer look at day-to-day rural life.

The Great Wall of China is approximately 5,500 miles from east to west of China and winds through deserts, grasslands, mountains and plateaus. Walking the Great Wall of China can be done in sections. The Mutianyu section is considered to be one of the best preserved parts of the wall and is renowned for its Ming Dynasty guard towers, walking the Great Wall of China here will give you a feel for its historical significance. You will soon realise why the Great Wall of China is one of the great wonders of the medieval world.

Terracotta Warriors Tours

The Terracotta Warriors are a collection of terracotta sculptures depicting the armies of the First Emperor of China. Take a Terracotta Warriors tour to see the figures which date from 210 BC and, although buried 22 centuries ago, they were discovered guarding the tomb of Emperor Qin Shi Huang in 1974 by some local farmers in the Shaanxi province. Terracotta Warriors tours can show you the three pits that originally contained over 8000 soldiers. Each statue was constructed by local craftsmen to be unique and they are life-sized. A Terracotta Warriors tour will reveal how much power the First Emperor possessed, enabling him to command such an impressive ensemble.

Giant Pandas in China and Panda Conservation

The Giant Panda is a bear native to China and is characterised by its large distinctive black patches around the eyes. Giant Pandas in China have a particularly fragile future as they face a number of threats – to their forest habitat and population. Many Panda tours concentrate on Panda conservation, the Chinese Government has created over 50 Panda reserves to help protect them from poachers. Yet there are still estimated to be less than 1,600 pandas left on earth. The money raised from Panda tours will often support long term conservation initiatives in the regions visited. There are several wild Panda tracking holidays and the aim is to encounter the wild Giant Panda, however sightings cannot be guaranteed. Panda tracking holidays will often include visits to traditional rural communities who still practice ancient agricultural methods.

Want to know more about China before going on holiday?

Find out more about China by reading these China articles.

With a wealth of practical and background information, this China travel guide is the essential companion for your holiday. Reading up on the places you visit will help you get a little more out of China holidays and help you understand local sensitivities better. With useful information to help you prepare for your China holiday take a look at this China travel information & map.