China is credited with discovering how to make silk several thousand years ago. They kept the secret to themselves for many centuries until Chinese immigrants began to arrive in Korea. Although sericulture is no longer a mystery to the world, China remains the largest manufacturer of this delicate material.

The Silk Road is believed to have been officially opened in the 2nd century BC. Made up of various routes, the ancient trade route extends from Xian to the Mediterranean. Retrace part of the route, stopping off at some of the main archaeological and cultural sites on our Silk Road tour through China. A chance discovery at the Buddhist Shrines at the Mogao Caves in the 20th century of some documents, for example, helped shed light on daily life and beliefs along the Silk Road more than 1000 years ago.

You can also travel along part of the Silk Road on the Central Asia Overland tour. See the Kizilgaha Beacon, said to be the best-preserved tower on the Silk Road. The tower would have been one of a series used to send vital messages quickly by means of lighting a fire at the top to give you smoke signals. You can also see how silk is produced at a factory in Hotan whilst travelling the Crossroads of Asia.

A great way to see China is by train. Travel by Railroad to Lhasa, stopping off to explore en route. Travel by boat along the Yellow River to ancient Buddhist caves at Bingling Si that hold many impressive cave paintings and Buddhist monuments. From Xining you'll take the Qinghai-Tibet railway, the world's highest, passing steppes, snow-capped peaks and over permafrost terrain.

Cross eight time zones and a third of the globe on a Trans-Siberian Odyssey. Enter China from Mongolia, travelling through mountainous country before arriving at Beijing to explore China's capital.

For those who haven't been on holiday to China before, our China Highlights tour is a great introduction. Explore Hong Kong before heading off to the Chinese mainland to marvel at the Terracotta Warriors, Great Wall and Forbidden City. You can also extend this holiday with a walk along the Great Wall.

An Imperial Journey captures the essence of ancient and modern China. Explore Shanghai, once called the 'Paris of the Orient', take a boat journey along the Grand Canal that was completed in 610AD, wander around Nanjing - China's first capital in 220AD and where the first provincial government was founded, and see what is possibly China's oldest monastery that was founded in 68AD before finishing your holiday in China in Beijing.

The world's largest man-made structure, the Great Wall became an urban legend when claims were made that it could be seen from space, but we think you'll appreciate it more up close on one of our holidays in China. Originally constructed as independent walls for different states, the Great Wall became one during the Qin dynasty some 200 years BC. It was first built from earth, stone and wood, but during the Ming dynasty, this changed to mostly bricks. Stretching over 6,000km, parts of the wall have fallen into disrepair or disappeared, but it still very popular with visitors and some reconstruction has taken place. You can Walk the Great Wall with us over a few days or maybe visit it before heading off to Guillin for some cycling through small villages, plains and river valleys.

One of the greatest archaeological discoveries of the 20th century was that of the Terracotta Army found by people digging for a well near the royal tomb in 1974. The news soon gained worldwide attention and the warriors and their horses are on many people's 'must see' list. They were 'buried' with the Emperor Qin Shi Huangdi who originally ruled Qin and then all of China to help him rule another empire in the afterlife. We have several holidays in China that visit the Terracotta Army, including Walk the Great Wall & Xian Extension and Along the Yangtse & Beijing Extension.

As some of you may know, the next total eclipse of the sun is due to take place on 1 August 2008. With the 'arc of darkness' spreading into China we have added some holidays in China that include a trip into the deserts north of Hami where you should get great views of the Eclipse. These include Along the Yangtse & Eclipse, China Highlights & Eclipse and Beijing, Olympic City & Eclipse. Find out more about all our eclipse holidays in China here.

Take a family holiday in China to see the Great Wall & Warriors. As well as seeing these two icons of China you'll visit the Shaolin Temple at Luoyang, home to Kung Fu, and see the monks perform their astonishing prowess. Take a trip to the Longmen Caves that are home to around 1,300 grottoes, 40 pagodas and 100,00 statues created between the 5th and 7th centuries. Cruise down the Li River to Yangshuo passing karst mountains, flat plains and cormorant fishermen. There's plenty to keep you occupied.