China’s sheer scale makes it one of the world’s most complex and rewarding long-haul destinations. Beijing, the imperial capital, anchors any first visit: the Forbidden City — a 180-acre palace complex that was home to 24 emperors — and the Great Wall, stretching across mountain ridges north of the city, are among the most powerful historical experiences in the world. The Summer Palace, Temple of Heaven and the hutong alleyways of the old city add further depth to a city that balances extraordinary history with rapid modernity. Shanghai is China’s most cosmopolitan face — the Bund waterfront, its colonial-era buildings reflected in the Huangpu River below the futuristic Pudong skyline, is one of the world’s great urban panoramas. The French Concession neighbourhood, with its tree-lined streets, boutique cafés and art deco architecture, offers a more intimate version of the city. Beyond the headline cities, China reveals extraordinary variety. Guilin and Yangshuo in Guangxi province offer the classic karst limestone scenery — jagged green peaks rising from misty rivers that have inspired Chinese ink painting for centuries. A Li River cruise between Guilin and Yangshuo is among China’s most scenic journeys. Xi’an, ancient capital of the Silk Road, is home to the extraordinary Terracotta Army — 8,000 life-size warriors buried with the first Emperor of China in 210 BC. Chengdu in Sichuan province is the home of giant pandas, fiercely spiced Sichuan cuisine and one of China’s most relaxed and characterful cities. Tibet, accessible by permit, offers the roof of the world and the extraordinary Potala Palace. China is best visited in spring (April to May) or autumn (September to October) when temperatures are moderate across most regions.