Destination Map

Cathay Pacific China Experience Tours give you the opportunity to explore some of China's most historic and beautiful cities. Learn more about what each city has to offer in the city descriptions below.

 

 

Beijing

 

As the capital of China, Beijing is one of the world's truly imposing cities. With a 3,000-year history and 11 million people, it is the political center of the People's Republic of China.

 

Situated in northeast China, Beijing adjoins the Inner Mongolian Highland to the northwest and the Great Northern Plain to the south. Rich in history, Beijing has been China's primary capital for more than seven centuries. China's imperial past and political present meet at Tiananmen Square, where the Forbidden City palace of the emperors gives way to the Great Hall of the People congress building and the mausoleum of Chairman Mao Zedong. The old city walls have been replaced by ring roads, and many of the old residential districts of alleys (Hutong) and courtyard houses have been turned into high-rise hotels, office buildings, and department stores.

 

Beijing, a dynamic city where the old and new intermingle, remains a magnet for visitors around the world.

 

For more information, check out our Cathay Pacific City Guide to Beijing.

 

 

Shanghai

 

Shanghai is China's most comprehensive industrial and commercial city, ranking the first in population and population density. As a tourist city, it attracts travelers from both home and abroad by its commercial activity rather than scenic beauty.

 

Shanghai is situated on the bank of the Yangtze River Delta, with East River in the east and Hangzhou delta in the south. Housing a population of over 16 million at present, it was once a small town supported by fishing and weaving before the first Opium War.

 

Late in 1990, the central government started developing the area, and has since become the well-known booming metropolis city.

 

For more information, check out our Cathay Pacific City Guide to Shanghai.

 

 

Guangzhou

 

Guangzhou (Canton), a prosperous metropolis full of vigor, is the capital city of Guangdong Province located along the south coastline of China.

 

Being an excellent port on the Pearl River navigable to the South China Sea, and with fast accessibility to Hong Kong and Macau, Guangzhou serves as the political, economic, scientific, educational and cultural center in Guangdong area.

 

For more information, check out our Cathay Pacific City Guide to Guangzhou.

 

 

Xian

 

Xian is a city with incredible history, as well as a prosperous modern city. As the capital city of Shannxi province, it holds a key position in the fertile plain between the highland plateau of the north and the Qinling Mountains to the south.

 

Xian has been the capital of eleven dynasties for more than 2000 years. Along with Rome and Constantinople, this city played a vital role in bridging the gap between east and west. There are numerous important sites and relics in this city. The Terracotta Army of Qin Emperor is inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list and regarded as the eighth wonder of the world.

 

 

Shangri-La

 

For many years the debate went on to determine where is the Shangri-La as described in James Hilton's book, Lost Horizon. It was not until a few years ago that the international debate ended and confirmed that Diqing of Yunan Province was indeed what James Hilton was writing about. As a result, Diqing is now officially named Shangri-La and has been designated as a UNESCO destination.

 

You'll be mesmerized by the natural beauty of Shangri-La.

 

 

 

Yangtze River

 

Coursing over a distance of 6,380 kilometers, the mighty Yangtze is the longest river in China and the third longest in the world after the Amazon in South America and the Nile in Africa. It begins at Qinghai plateau at southwest, and flows through nine provinces towards Shanghai and into the Yellow Sea. It is also the cradle of ancient Chinese civilization.

 

Along the river, you'll visit the Three Gorges which is famous for its dramatic scenery, deep valleys, verdant landscapes and stunning vistas. The Three Gorges Dam is also a must-see, as it is the world's largest construction project and an engineering marvel.

 

 

Hong Kong

 

The bustling city of Hong Kong was just a collection of fishing villages when claimed by Britain in 1842 following the First Opium War with China. The Kowloon Peninsula was handed over in 1860 and a 99-year lease on the New Territories, comprising the area north of Kowloon up to the Shenzhen River plus 235 outlying islands, was granted in 1898.

 

Under the unique principle of 'One Country, Two Systems', Hong Kong returned to Chinese sovereignty on July 1, 1997 as a Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China. This arrangement allows Hong Kong to enjoy a high degree of autonomy, retaining its capitalist system, independent judiciary and rule of law, free trade and freedom of speech.

 

The unique blend of eastern and western influences, matched by diverse attractions, top-notch restaurants, hotels and shopping paradise, have all made Hong Kong Asia's prime tourist destination.

 

Why not begin or wrap up your China Experience at our home, Hong Kong?

 

For more information, check out our Cathay Pacific City Guide to Hong Kong.