The sheer expanse of China, sprawling out to the east of Asia, offers travellers a range of holiday options. The climate covers all weathers, with tropical temperatures in the south to subarctic climes in the north, while the terrain swings from breathtaking mountains to western deserts, expansive plains and deltas.

Bordering Russia to the north and Burma and India to the south, China covers almost 10 million sq km and has a population of 1.3 billion. A closed state for many years, partly because of the Himalayas and the Siberian Steppe, which cut it off from Eurasia, China’s government has slowly started to loosen its tight grip on the population.

Though still a Communist nation, the influence of international commerce and trade is increasingly being felt by China’s citizens, particularly in the cities, and the pace of progress is rapid, with skyscrapers springing up almost overnight in urban areas.

Beijing, the country’s capital, provides a good starting place and introduction to Chinese culture, with its wealth of cultural and historical sites, including the vast Imperial Palace and Summer Palace, the stunning Temple of Heaven, the Peking Opera and the famous Great Wall.

China’s greatest archaeological finds and one of the most impressive in the world is the collection of Qin dynasty terracotta warriors at Xian, also the terminus of the old Silk Road. The romance of centuries past can still be felt in the ancient city and the museum houses over 7,000 pottery soldiers, horses, chariots, and weapons.

Shanghai, where centuries-old temples sit beside modern glass skyscrapers, is known as "the Oriental Paris", and is a haven for shoppers, with its myriad shops selling colourful and intricate items. The city also affords tourists the chance to sample the country’s exceptional cuisine at restaurants serving dishes from across China.

In the less populated region of southern China, acres of paddy fields make way for the dramatic Himalayas stretching up into the Tibetan clouds. The south of China is an increasingly popular destination for its mountains, lush vegetation and animal life (including giant pandas), exotic scenery and Buddhist monasteries. On the very southernmost tip of China, the beautiful Hainan Island provides all the perfect ingredients for a beach holiday.

A cruise down the famous Yangtse River, the third largest in the world, can offer a novel way to see China and visit the classic tourist spots along the way. It also affords the opportunity to see the spectacular Yangtse gorges. Other sights of note across the country include the famous Suzhou Gardens, the city of Nanjing, which was the ancient capital under the Ming emperors, and China’s many well laid out museums.

Air services into and around China have improved in recent years, as the country has become more open to the rest of the world, and reasonable airfares are available. Train services in China can also offer a luxurious way to see the country, with sleeping carriages and meals served.

China can be a difficult country to travel around alone, with huge distances between tourist sites and few people outside the big cities speaking English. For those interested in an easy way to see the highlights, an escorted or organised tour is advisable. However, hotel accommodation is available for those travelling under their own steam, and is pleasant and reasonably priced in most of the densely populated areas and the Chinese people are generally warm and welcoming to foreign tourists.