Eight Chinas, not one
Fifty degrees of latitude, five climate zones and a country the size of Europe. Where you go decides what season you should go in — and what you will be eating.
The North
Imperial capitals, the Great Wall and the dust of the loess plateau.
The East
Canal towns, classical gardens, tea hills and the skyline of Shanghai.
The South
Karst rivers, Cantonese kitchens, tulou clan fortresses and tropical coast.
The Southwest
Pandas, chilli, rice terraces, gorges and the eastern edge of Tibet.
The Northwest
The Silk Road: desert, oasis, Buddhist caves and Central Asian bazaars.
Central China
The Yangtze's middle reaches, sandstone pillars and Hunan's fire-hot table.
The Northeast
Ice cities, Russian facades, volcanic lakes and the country's ski country.
The Tibetan Plateau
The roof of the world: monasteries, turquoise lakes and thin bright air.