Travel Guide to China

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Location overview

China, a land of beauty and fascination, has long lured adventurous travellers from all over the world. A massive country, covering six million square miles and spanning 60 longitudinal degrees China has an almost infinite variety of people and enchanting natural landscapes as well as an enthralling history and culture that is among the most ancient in the world. From the wind-swept plains of the Gobi Desert to the hustle and fast-pace of its modern cities, China’s contrasts are almost impossible to describe in words. The country’s recent economic liberalisation has brought a whole host of benefits, not least to the visitor, who can now enjoy relatively inexpensive flights and a much higher standard of accommodation. Tropical Sky is currently featuring two destinations in China: the former British territory of Hong Kong and the flourishing and futuristic city of Shanghai.

Hong Kong has all the insanity associated with a big city but it’s also efficient, hushed and peaceful: the transport network is excellent, the shopping centres are sublime, and the temples and quiet corners of parks are contemplative oases. Hong Kong has enough towering urbanity, electric streetscapes, enigmatic temples, commercial passion and cultural idiosyncrasies to utterly swamp the senses of a visitor, and enough spontaneous, unexpected possibilities to make a complete mockery of any attempt at a strictly organised itinerary.

China, a former bastion of communism is now asserting itself as an economic powerhouse and the displays of wealth and success are no longer limited to the former colony of Hong Kong but have spread to other areas, including the futuristic metropolis of Shanghai. This is a scintillating city bristling with rapid cultural change. Since market restrictions were lifted, Shanghai has embraced the forces of business and design, shaping a fresh, new city that is sophisticated, innovative and living a life it has never lived before. In many ways, Shanghai is a Western invention. The Bund, its riverside area, and Frenchtown are the best places to see the remnants of its decadent colonial past. Moving on to temples, gardens, bazaars and the striking architecture of the new Shanghai, no visitor can fail to be awestruck!