CHINA

GENERAL INFORMATION
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GENERAL INFORMATION

China is one of the world’s largest and most diverse countries, stretching from the Pacific coast to the mountains and deserts of Central Asia. Its capital is Beijing, a city of around 21.8 million residents, while China itself has a population of about 1.405 billion people. China is a one-party socialist state led by the Communist Party of China, and its political system is closely associated with the leadership of President Xi Jinping.

Modern China also has a complicated political history. One of the most internationally significant episodes was the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests

Despite its political complexities, China is one of the world’s great travel destinations. Its enormous size means that visitors can experience imperial cities, ancient villages, tropical landscapes, high mountains, deserts, grasslands and some of the world’s most spectacular archaeological and religious sites.

For overlanders, driving in China requires advance planning. Unlike most countries, China does not recognize International Driving Permits. Foreign self-drive travelers generally need temporary Chinese driving authorization and a Chinese license, along with government approvals, permits, planned routes, and a licensed Chinese guide. These arrangements must be made well before arrival and are very expensive, including the guide’s accommodation and food you have to pay for.

Northern China

Northern China is the heartland of China’s imperial history. Beijing is the essential starting point, with Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, the Temple of Heaven and the Summer Palace. The city’s historic Central Axis, which includes Tiananmen Square and many imperial and ceremonial landmarks, was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2024.

Tiananmen Square is not only one of Beijing’s most important landmarks but also a place associated with one of the most sensitive episodes in modern Chinese history. In 1989, large demonstrations calling for political reform, greater transparency and an end to corruption developed in Beijing and other Chinese cities. The People’s Liberation Army entered Beijing and used military force to suppress the demonstrations, resulting in an unknown number of deaths. The exact casualty figure remains disputed, with estimates ranging from hundreds to potentially much higher numbers.

The events are remembered very differently inside and outside China. Chinese authorities have maintained their own account of the events, while Western governments, journalists and historians have generally described the military action as a violent crackdown. Tiananmen today is primarily a monumental and highly controlled public space, surrounded by some of Beijing’s most important historical institutions. The political events of 1989 remain a sensitive subject in mainland China, and you should be aware that open discussion with guides or locals can be restricted.

The Great Wall of China, stretching across dramatic mountains and valleys. Sections around Mutianyu and Jinshanling are particularly impressive for visitors who want to experience the landscape as well as the architecture. Further north, Chengde offers imperial gardens and palaces, while Shenyang is known for its former Qing imperial palace.

Northern China also includes Inner Mongolia, where the scenery changes dramatically to vast grasslands, deserts and traditional Mongolian cultural landscapes. The region is ideal for travellers looking for something beyond China’s major cities.

Eastern China

Eastern China combines China’s historic commercial centres with some of its most famous landscapes. Shanghai is the country’s great modern metropolis, known for the Bund, Pudong skyline, historic neighbourhoods and vibrant food scene. Nearby, Suzhou is famous for its classical gardens and canals, while Hangzhou is celebrated for beautiful West Lake and its long association with Chinese poetry, tea and culture.

Further inland, Nanjing provides a fascinating mixture of imperial, republican and modern Chinese history. Huangshan, or the Yellow Mountains, offers one of China’s most iconic mountain landscapes, with granite peaks, pine trees and mist-filled valleys. Pingyao, although geographically central rather than strictly eastern, is another outstanding historic destination, preserving the atmosphere of an ancient Chinese walled city.

Western China

Western China is where the country becomes especially dramatic and remote. Sichuan is famous for Chengdu and its giant pandas, but the province also contains spectacular mountain scenery, Buddhist sites and the historic Dujiangyan irrigation system.

Further west, the Tibetan Plateau rises into an extraordinary landscape of mountains, monasteries and high-altitude valleys. Travel to Tibet has additional entry requirements and independent travel is restricted (SEE THE TIBET POST). Certain border and sensitive areas may also have extra access restrictions, security measures, identification checks, or movement controls.

Even Chinese citizens can face additional restrictions in sensitive regions. Authorities may also impose exit bans on individuals for various reasons, meaning leaving China for international travel may require government approval.

Southern China

Southern China is greener, warmer and often more tropical than the north. Guilin and Yangshuo are among the country’s most famous scenic destinations, known for the dramatic limestone mountains rising from the Li River. The landscape is particularly beautiful when explored by river cruise, bicycle or on foot.

Yunnan is one of China’s most diverse provinces, stretching from high Himalayan landscapes to subtropical and tropical areas.

Kunming, Dali, Lijiang and Shangri-La provide a mixture of ancient towns, minority cultures, mountains and lakes. Yunnan is also home to remarkable places such as the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and the UNESCO-listed Hani rice terraces.

Further south, Guangzhou and Shenzhen represent modern China’s economic transformation, while Hong Kong combines Chinese and international influences in a spectacular harbour setting. Fujian offers another side of southern China, with coastal scenery, tea culture and the remarkable earthen Tulou buildings.