China has seen a ceaseless drama of energetic development and economic growth unfold at a staggering pace that has resulted in its deliverance from the austerities and craziness of the Mao era. The country is now a full member of the World Trade Organisation and through continued investment, travel has become steadily speedier, more efficient and more comfortable. China has never been so transformed, except perhaps when the Mongols passed through with their own blueprints for change.

Best time to visit

March to May and September to November, to avoid the extremes of winter and summer.

Essential experiences

The Great Wall of China; paying a mandatory visit to the ancient Forbidden City and the Summer Palace in Beijing; parading through the Army of Terracotta Warriors; exploring China's imperial past; enjoying the more familiar Western atmosphere of Shanghai; chilling out in Xishuangbanna's lush, subtropical rainforest.

In a few words, China is

Pandas, unchecked development, students practising English on tourists, edgy modern art scene, Tiananmen Square, noodles and the Great Wall.

Did you know?

Only 5% of China's population use credit cards, yet with the economy growing at a staggering rate, this is predicted to rise to around 85% before the end 2008.