MAIN Travel Destination Guides Asia China

Bordering 14 countries in Asia while stretching over 22,000 kilometres long, China is the planet's most populous nation with more than 1 billion people.

Known for centuries for its unwillingness to succumb to outside influences and cultures, China only began to open up to the West in the late 20th century, and today is in full flower as a major economic force and worldwide trading partner.

Nowhere is this more evident than in China's enthusiastic campaign to host the 2008 Winter Olympic Games in the capital city, Beijing.

As the capital city promises to become even more modernized and tourist-friendly in the months leading up to the Olympics, be sure to take advantage of China's ever-expanding "open door" policy to take in the rest of the country's major attractions.

These might include a trip to Xi'an, located at China's heartland in the Shaanxi province, with its surrounding spectacular natural beauty, as well as a glimpse of the mind-blowing display of life-size Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses found in the mausoleum of China's first emperor, Qin Shi Huang, only first discovered in 1974.

Of course, always colorful and dynamic Hong Kong is on many visitors' must-see lists.

However, Yellow Mountain is perhaps the most impressive of any journey on an otherwise very memorable visit to China.

Also known as Mount Huangshan, (located in the southern part of Anhui Province), visitors to Yellow Mountain may think they have stepped into an ancient Chinese painting - filled with ancient pine trees, grotesque rock formations, and fog-shrouded mountain peaks.

More about China travel around the Web:

China National Tourist Office - The entire country laid out in digestible bites, encompassing the diversity of its people, history and terrain, and including a banquet of information on what to see and do. Check out the right-hand drop down menu for access to main attractions, hotels and restaurants in Beijing, Shanghai and more, plus practical info on visas and tour operators.

China Travel Guide - Browse by category including top attractions, by city or by special interest including lakes and beaches, mountains, nature & wildlife, temples and monasteries, historic sites and more.

Beijing Official Website International - An extensive guide to seasonal & cultural events, the city and nearby attractions, tips on subway trains, buses and taxies, maps and photos.

Shanghai travel guide - Wikitravel entry on the topic with extensive information on what to see and do, where to find cheap eats and accommodation, shopping tips, plus maps and guides to the city's metro and bus systems.

Xi'an and Terra Cotta Warriors - Virtual tour in spectacular photos with various additional views around town.

Xi'an and the Silk Road - Good discussion with photos covering the history and culture of the region with a look at the Big and Little Goose pagodas, the Ming Walls, plus a short travelogue of modern Xi'an.

also see -> Hong Kong Festivals | Learn Chinese

also see in Holidays -> Chinese New Year

Dragon Boat Festival | Mid-Autumn Festival

in Asia -> Hong Kong | South Korea | Taiwan