These days, it's quite jarring to walk around parts of old Beijing. Although old grannies can still be seen pushing cabbages in rickety wooden carts amidst huddles of men playing chess, it's not uncommon to see them all suddenly scurry to the side to make way for a brand-new BMW luxury sedan squeezing through the narrow hutong (a traditional Beijing alleyway). The same could be said of the longtang-style alleys of Sichuan or a bustling marketplace in Sichuan. Modern China is a land of paradox, and it's becoming increasingly so in this era of unprecedented socioeconomic change.

Relentless change—seen so clearly in projects like the Yangtze River dam and the relocation of thousands of people—has been an elemental part of China's modern character. Violent revolutions in the 20th century, burgeoning population growth (China is now the world's most populous country by far) and economic prosperity (brought about by a recent openness to the outside world) have almost made that change inevitable. China's cities are being transformed—Beijing and Shanghai are probably the most dynamic cities in the world right now. And the country's political position in the world is rising: The 2008 Olympics were awarded to Beijing, despite widespread concern about how the government treats its people.

China has always been one of the most attractive travel destinations in the world, partly because so much history exists alongside the new, partly because it is still so unknown to outsiders. The country and its people remain a mystery. The rice paddies may have sprouted cities and manufacturing centers, and the streets may be clogged with cars and pollution, but the people remain rooted in a rich cultural heritage. They still burn joss sticks for good luck in an enterprise—even as they iron out the details of that enterprise on a cell phone.

Few people have the time or money to see all of China on one trip, and it's probably best that no one tries. Though great strides have been made to accommodate tourists, China is still not the easiest country to visit. On the other hand, it's a long way to travel for just a week of touring, so we recommend a minimum of two weeks.

The following itinerary is a good introduction to China.
Day 1—Arrive Shanghai.
Days 2-3—Shanghai.
Day 4—Day trip to Suzhou.
Day 5—Early flight to Beijing.
Day 6—Beijing.
Day 7—Day trip to the Great Wall and Ming Tombs.
Day 8—Fly to Xi'an.
Day 9—Xi'an.
Day 10—Fly to Guilin.
Day 11—Guilin.
Day 12—Fly to Guangzhou.
Day 13—Guangzhou.
Day 14—Depart China.

For the traveler with more endurance, we'd recommend the following 21-day trip:
Day 1—Arrive Beijing.
Days 2-4—Beijing (including a day trip to the Great Wall and Ming Tombs).
Day 5—Fly to Xi'an.
Day 6—Xi'an.
Day 7—Fly to Lhasa.
Days 8 and 9—Lhasa.
Day 10—Gyantse.
Day 11—Lhasa.
Day 12—Fly to Chengdu.
Day 13—Fly to Guilin.
Day 14—Guilin (city tour or Li River day-trip cruise to Yangshuo).
Day 15—Fly to Shanghai.
Day 16—Shanghai.
Day 17—Day trip to Suzhou.
Day 18—Express train to Hangzhou.
Day 19—Hangzhou.
Day 20—Fly to Guangzhou.
Day 21—Depart China.

Because Hong Kong is a special blend of East and West, it can ease the transition for travelers going from China to the West or vice versa. It's never a bad idea to plan one or two days in Hong Kong at one end of a China itinerary. Travelers who have seen all of the above may wish to see China west of Xi'an by traveling the Silk Road (Lanzhou, Dunhuang, Turpan, Urumqi and Kashgar). If you have time, you may also want to extend your stays in Chengdu and Guilin by a day or two to allow further exploration of the cities and the fascinating areas around them. Another option would be to add Yunnan capital Kunming for two or three days, providing the opportunity to experience the rich culture of the province's minorities and some of its scenic glories.

Facts
Passport/Visa Requirements: A passport and visa are required for citizens of Canada and the U.S. A departure tax is now included in the cost of airline tickets.
Although there are only a few places in China that are forbidden to tourists, do not attempt to visit an off-limits city without permission. If you have any questions, ask the local Public Security Bureau. Probably the most popular area that requires a permit is Tibet (obtainable through many travel agencies).
A yellow-fever certificate is required for mainland China if you're arriving from an infected area. Certificates are not required if only visiting Hong Kong or Macau. Reconfirm travel document requirements with your carrier before departure.

Population: 1,313,973,713.
Languages: Putonghua (or Mandarin) is the most common language, though it has several dialects. In Hong Kong, people speak Cantonese and English..
Predominant Religions: Officially atheist, but Buddhists, Taoists, Lamaists, Muslims and Christians still practice..
Time Zone: 8 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (+8 GMT). Daylight Saving Time is not observed.
Voltage Requirements: 220 volts.
Telephone Codes: 86, country code; 10,city code for Beijing; 21,city code for Shanghai; 852,city code for Hong Kong;