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Days like theseOur recommendations for the perfect holiday in ChinaBicycles in BeijingExperience the frenetic energy ofthe nation’s capital as most of thelocals do - by bicycle. Despite itsvastness, many of Beijing’s mainsights such as the Forbidden City,the Temple of Heaven and BeihaiPark are within a short distance ofeach other, and cycling betweenthem will give you a uniqueperspective of the city. Most hotelseither offer or can recommendbicycle rental services.The Great Walk of ChinaWalk the well-preserved Badalingsection of the Great Wall andmarvel at the spectacular views ofthis magnificent structure snakingalong the verdant landscape. Forthe more active traveller, therecently reopened Simatai sectionis a strenuous yet more authenticstretch with fewer tourists.Happy New Year!If you’re lucky enough to findyourself in China during its NewYear celebrations – which in 2013will fall on 10 February – thenexpect a colourful cacophony ofshimmering decorations, templefairs, fireworks and calls of“Congratulations, make money!”as locals exchange cash-filled redenvelopes. This is a truly magicaltime of year to visit.See XianThere’s more to Xian than just theTerracotta Warriors. Make sure towander the ancient city walls – thelargest remaining structure of itskind in the world – before tryingsome delicious street food in theMuslim quarter. Visit the imposingBell Tower and ancient Wild GoosePagoda for an intriguing glimpseinto China’s fascinating imperialhistory.Gorgeous GorgesMake some time to enjoy a nightor two on a relaxing Yangtze rivercruise, sailing through its famousgorges and numerous ancient sitesand towns on the way. Stop at thebreathtaking Three Gorges Damand learn how it affected life onthe Yangtze.AmurKAZAKHSTANMONGOLIAQiqiharHegangHarbin JixiShiheziUrumqiChangchunMudanjiangJilinKYRGYZSTANHamiShenyangBaotouFushunAksuHohhot Jinzhou BenxiKashiBeijing NORTHKOREATAJIKISTANShijiazhuangJinanGolmud XiningHandanLanzhou Zhengzhou Tai'an YellowPAKISTANSeaXi'anXuzhouCHINANanjing SuzhouShanghaiINDIAChengduWuhanLhasaChongqingHangzhouZigongNanchang EastNEPALGuiyang XiangtanPingxiangChinaBHUTANLiupanshui HengyangFuzhou SeaBANGLADESHKunmingLinzhou GuangzhouTaipeiBURMATAIWANVIETNAMHong Kong Kao-hsiungBay ofLAOSZhanjiangBengalSouth ChinaSeaHuangYangtzeBEIJINGChina - Perfect ForFor centuries, China has appealed to travellers with a taste for adventure andthis certainly still applies today. From sailing down the mighty Yangtze Riverand traversing the iconic Great Wall to sampling the culinary curiosities ofBeijing’s night markets, China offers epic, full-flavoured travel experiencesin every one of its huge provinces.1839First Opium Warbegins between Chinaand Great Britain1959Dalai Lama flees Tibetafter failed uprising againstChinese rule1989Troops open fire onstudent demonstratorsin Tiananmen Square2011China officially overtakesJapan as world’s secondlargesteconomy1644 – 1911Qing Dynasty rulesmore than third ofworld’s population1949People’s Republicof China foundedby Mao Zedong1976Chairman Mao diesafter 10-year ‘CulturalRevolution’1997Hong Kong returnedto China after 155years of British rule2013People born in Yearof the Snake exhibitintelligence, gracefulnessand materialism117Call 020 7666 1244 | www.regentholidays.co.uk | visit your local travel agent