China

China is a land of incredible contrasts, a place where startling evidence of its historic past jostles for prominence with its modern aspirations. Enjoy a truly enriching holiday featuring breathtaking scenery, rich historical sites, awe-inspiring icons and colourful folklore.

Beijing provides a true taste of China, where ancient wonders and pious icons struggle to exist beside modern life and dynamic progress. Discover “old Beijing" by exploring its many major attractions as well as its charming teahouses, temples and markets.

A visit to one of Beijing’s famous Hutong – an ancient city alley comprising of traditional residential compounds – is a must. Many of China’s most renowned cultural treasures are located in Beijing including Tiananmen Square, The Forbidden City, The Summer Palace, The Temple of Heaven and The Ming Tombs. Other essential highlights of your Beijing trip include a delicious roast Peking duck dinner and a performance of the 200-year-old Peking Opera featuring lavish costumes, singing and martial arts.

Xian is home to The Terracotta Warriors, one of China's major tourist attractions. This world famous spectacle features over 10,000 stone soldiers, archers and chariots standing in battle formation. Other attractions in Xian include the old city walls and the Muslim quarter.

Shanghai, China’s largest and most developed city, enjoys a vibrant atmosphere and boasts a huge variety of modern entertainment options as well as historically significant sights. The picturesque Bund, Shanghai's waterfront promenade, is renowned for its lively ambiance and its strip of Art Deco buildings.

Local information: Currency: Chinese Yuan (CNY) Glass of Coca Cola: € 1 - € 1.50 Bottle of Beer: € 1.50 - € 2 Bottle of Wine: € 15 - € 20 3 Course meal: € 15 per person Time Difference is GMT: + 8 hours Visa (Irish citizen): YES - required prior to departure. Vaccinations: Tetanus, Typhoid, Malaria, Hepatitis are recommended - please consult your GP. These prices are given as a guide only.

Top tips/recommended tours The Yangtze: Cruise the third longest river in the world and discover its legendary landscape as well as the eautiful Three Gorges and the controversial Three Gorges Dam. Spanning the Yangtze River at Yichang, construction of the dam began in 1994 and it will be the largest hydroelectric dam in the world when completed in 2009. The reservoir will occupy the present position of the scenic Three Gorges area so now is the time to visit before many valuable archaeological and cultural sites are lost forever.