China

From deep basins to the peak of Mount Everest, World Heritage Sites and natural wonders abound and the opportunities for China adventure travel are huge. The country has the world’s fastest growing economy but its ancient, imperial civilisation can still be experienced, alongside outdoor activities in China that many seasoned travellers have yet to try.

Divided into 32 administrative areas, each has a unique character, dialect and distinct cuisine. Throughout these regions, climates vary from sub-arctic deserts in the north to tropical rainforests in the south. The northwest is one of the driest areas on the planet,limiting outdoor activities in China in this area at least, whereas the south receives summer soakings from monsoon rains.

Mountains and rough terrain dominate the western regions, where China adventure travel experiences can be the most testing: this region shares the world’s highest peaks, Everest (8,850m) and K2 (8,611m), with neighbouring Nepal and Pakistan. The majority of its 1.3 billion population occupy the hills and plains of the eastern coast, which stretches over 14,000km along the Pacific Ocean.

Outdoor activities in China aren’t limited to mountain adventures, the country has 50,000 rivers, of which the Yellow and Yangtze are its lifelines, connecting east to west. Coniferous forests are found in the north, while tropical forests in central and southern areas are home to the endangered Giant Panda and South Asian Tiger.

Start your China adventure travel holiday in Beijing, it’s a classic first visit and a top destination for taking in China’s historical highlights. From the capital, travel west to the Terracotta Warriors in Xian, before heading south to pick up a Yangtze River cruise from Chongqing to Wuhan.

Stop off at Yangshou (Guangxi province) to trek or cycle among limestone peaks, and after trying some of the emerging outdoor activities in China, such as skiing or rafting continue east to soak up Shanghai’s nightlife or head south for the bright lights of Hong Kong.

China adventure travel in the far southwest of Yunnan province rates highly with cultural and outdoors junkies alike; soak up the customs of 25 different ethnic groups or bike in towering snowy peaks and dense jungle depths – the long journey will be well worth it.

There is a forever expanding repertoire of outdoor activities in China: hiking, bungee jumping, cliff climbing and even skiing are now on the adventure sports menu – or for something more traditional you could enrol in a course of Kung Fu.