Travellers often want to see both China’s ancient and modern culture. Beijing and Xi’an present a glimpse of the imperial and revolutionary past; Shanghai offers the best way to explore the present. Those interested in the natural world should head to the south and the west, and consider a Yangtze River cruise for a few relaxing days at the end of a trip.

Ancient China: Beijing, Xi’an, Pingyao

Beijing’s star attractions are the Forbidden City, the Summer Palace, the Temple of Heaven and Tiananmen Square. The Great Wall is a day-trip to the north. Other newer destinations are the Olympic Village, and 798, a contemporary art district full of galleries, exhibition spaces and ateliers. The park at the Temple of Heaven is one of the most popular places in China. Arrive at dawn or just before dusk when you can see elderly locals practising languid Tai Chi movements and walking backwards to improve their balance. In addition, rent a bicycle or explore by foot the old hutongs, or narrow alleys, for a snapshot of local life.

Xi’an is home to the Terracotta Warriors and the political centre of China for thousands of years. In addition to the Terracotta Warriors, there are also some beautiful pagodas, as well as Taoist and Buddhist temples, and a fascinating Muslim Quater. 

There is a new fast train (under 4 hours) from Beijing to Taiyuan, the jumping-off point for the 14th-century walled city of Pingyao which is located halfway along the old trade route between Beijing and Xi’an. The country’s first bank was established here, and the town is lined with traditional hotels and classical tea-houses. 

Shanghai-Suzhou-Hangzhou Triangle

Shanghai is China’s commercial heart, with the country’s best hotels, restaurants and edifices. Yet must-see attractions are not glaringly obvious. Visitors could stroll down the riverside Bund, explore the old colonial neighbourhoods, and wander among the boutiques and cafés of Xintiandi, a district of rebuilt traditional stone architecture called Shikumen. Near the French Concession neighbourhood, there're leafy backstreets and Fuxing Park where local residents convene to go about their morning routines, from ballroom dancing to martial arts. In this area, the Radisson Blu Plaza Xing Guo offers respite from the hustle.

Within striking distance of Shanghai are two wonderful day-trip destinations which could be reached by high-speed city trains. Suzhou is renowned for its classical Chinese gardens and Hangzhou’s West Lake and ancient tea plantations have been an inspiration for much of the country’s literature, art and religion. In addition, there is an equally poetic view from Guo’s Villa with its pretty garden and teahouse.

Another possible trip from Shanghai is Huangshan of which the mountain peak often seen in classical Chinese painting. Visitors could trek to the summit up to nearly 60,000 steps, some of which are more than 1,500 years old, or take a cable car.

The hinterland: southern and western China

For anyone interested in the natural landscape rather than the urban environment, this region offers some of China’s most beautiful countryside.

The karst landforms of Guangxi and Guizhou provide the most unique scenery in China with limestone peaks, gorges and cave systems among lush paddy fields. The former backpacker hub, Yangshuo on the Li river is now overrun with tourists but it's less crowded on the smaller Yulong river. Caving, trekking and bamboo rafting trips could be arranged. 

Yunnan province has a dramatic landscape of high plains, lakes and mountains, as well as thriving communities of ethnic minority groups. The towns of Lijiang and Dali can be crowded but the surrounding villages have retained their charm. In the north of Yunnan are Tibetan villages at 3,300m above sea level dotted around the town of Shangri-La  which is renowned as "the closest place to paradise". In the village of Ringha, there is a place made up of a clutch of traditional farmhouses and offering trips to farmers’ homes and riverside treks in the valley.

Anyone keen on seeing Tibet personally can consider taking the “Roof of the World” train from Beijing; it runs across the world’s highest plateau and terminates in Lhasa where the Potala Palace is, the Palace is the chief residence of the Dalai Lama until the 1959 Tibetan uprising when the 14th Dalai Lama fled to India. Tourists who plan to visit Tibet should check the latest tourism regulations of this region.

Other popular options are Chengdu city in Sichuan province (there are now direct flights from the UK to Chengdu) and Chongqing city. Both cities are famed for sensational spicy food. Besides, Chengdu possess a layback lifestyle that many people like to kill time in teahouses and play mahjong. Chongqing is usually the place from where many begin a cruise on the Yangtze river through the Three Gorges.