| A traveler might wonder where to begin in a foreign | | | | from the rest of China, they are by no means lacking |
| country that is slightly smaller than the size of the | | | | in worldly wonders or the authentic Chinese lifestyle. |
| United States with over 5,000 years of recorded | | | | Hong Kong came under British rule in 1841 after |
| history. The wonderful advantage to traveling China is | | | | centuries of British involvement in the silk and tea |
| that there is no right or wrong place to start. China's | | | | trade. The expansion and modernization of this global |
| fascinating past is written all over its 23 provinces,* 5 | | | | port city attracted commercial and cultural influences |
| autonomous regions and 4 municipalities. The Special | | | | from all corners of the world. China regained |
| Administrative Regions of Hong Kong and Macau are | | | | sovereignty over the British colony in 1997 but |
| also part of China's government under a "one | | | | agreed to leave the democratic government |
| country, two systems" law. | | | | structure intact. What has resulted is an unparalleled |
| Greater Than the Great Wall: Travel to China's Many | | | | bastion of progressive ideas, pioneering technology |
| Wonders | | | | and architectural phenomena like the world's three |
| China is a mecca for human-made and natural | | | | longest bridges. |
| wonders. The southern Tibetan border is home to | | | | Thirty-five miles west of Hong Kong across the Pear |
| the world's tallest peak, Mt. Everest. Take in the | | | | River delta, the enclave of Macau is perched on a |
| inspiring Himalayan view then head north and travel | | | | peninsula surrounded by small islands. Portugal had |
| through the majestic Three Gorges, a 120-mile | | | | established sovereignty over Macau in 1887 after a |
| stretch of plummeting cliffs along the Yangtze River. | | | | history of heavy trade and navigation in the region. |
| Stand in the middle of the largest plaza in the world, | | | | The Portuguese finally ceded all authority back to |
| Tiananmen Square, at the heart of the capital city, | | | | China in 1999. The sophisticated blend of Chinese and |
| Beijing. While in Beijing, visit the Imperial Palace and | | | | Portuguese art, architecture and cuisine define |
| find out why it is known as the Forbidden City. Then, | | | | Macau's truly enchanting character. In Macau it is |
| venture south to discover a true artistic Qin Dynasty | | | | commonplace to enjoy an espresso and pastry for |
| treasure in Xian, where over six thousand Terracotta | | | | lunch and Dim Sum for dinner, accompanied by a fine |
| Warriors are arranged in battle formation on 14,000 | | | | Portuguese wine. |
| square meters of land. | | | | Be sure to set aside ample time to explore Hong |
| Hong Kong and Macau: Another Way to Experience | | | | Kong and Macau as part of your itinerary to travel |
| China | | | | China! |
| These two regions are governed with a significant | | | | * It should be noted that China considers Taiwan to |
| degree of political and commercial autonomy and are | | | | be its 23rd province; however Taiwan essentially |
| China's most prominent examples of the fusion of | | | | functions as an independent nation and is not easily |
| cultures brought about by colonialism. While travel to | | | | accessible from mainland China. |
| these provinces provides a very different experience | | | | |