China has one of the world’s oldest civilizations, dating back over 6,000 years, but the country is rapidly modernizing and gaining power on the world economic and political stage, and is now only nominally Communist. It is also the world’s most populous country, with over 1.3 billion people – about 1/5 of the earth’s population – and over 100 different ethnic groups, including Manchus, Mongolians, Tibetans, Uighurs, Tartars, Bais, and the Dong and Lisu tribal peoples. The contrast between the sparkling skyscraper-filled cities of Shanghai and Beijing and the far-flung villages of Yunnan and Tibet is almost unimaginable. Today’s designer label-clad urban professionals bear little resemblance to their forefathers, who in all likelihood grew up in faraway villages as peasant farmers, which the majority of Chinese citizens remain today. It is a country so massive that any one trip there can show you only a slice of the country and its rich and heterogeneous cultures.
Explore in-depth information, experiences and highlights by navigating to specific regions using the links below on the right.
With Remote Lands you'll travel with people who have made Asia the solitary focus of their own lifelong adventure. As our guest, you'll discover Asia on a journey that is completely, authentically your own, adapted from our own remarkable experiences and adventures over the years.
With Remote Lands you'll travel with people who have made Asia the solitary focus of their own lifelong adventure. As our guest, in the continent that our north American founders Catherine and Jay have adored and explored for decades, you'll discover Asia on a journey that is completely, authentically your own, adapted from our own remarkable experiences and adventures over the years.
Browse a month-by-month breakdown of suggested itineraries, seasonal activities, climate considerations and festivals.
Remote Lands
Choose somewhere you’d like to visit, something you’re interested in, and when you’re planning to travel and we’ll suggest sample itineraries to inspire your bespoke journey.
Both spring and fall are great times for pan-China visits, specifically between April and May, and mid-September to October.
Multi-Country Specialists
An Asia-focused magazine brought to you by Remote Lands – a platform for adventure, luxury, and authenticity from experts and explorers around the continent.
From the Cultural Revolution and Chinese millennials to the Kangxi Emperor and hutongs, this list of books to read on your trip through Beijing will keep you entertained, informed, and enlightened.
In Nepal, India, Bhutan, China, and beyond, the unique landscapes and cultures of the Himalayas are a paradise for travelers looking for peace — from the wildlife and mountains to the history and spirituality.
An expedition on China’s roads from the Hanging Temple of Datong to the ancient walled city of Pingyao, tracing China’s history all the way.