Steppes offers many opportunities to explore the areas of China
covered in this TV series.

A first time visit would usually include Xian, the start of the Silk Route and home to the magnificent Terracotta Warriors, a cruise on the Yangtse River, Shanghai and Beijing possibly extending to the limestone scenery of Guilin and Hong Kong in the South.
An attempt to include at least one other less visited city or site is encouraged to make your visit just that bit more memorable. Itineraries are by and large tailor-made meaning that you can travel when you wish and choose the level of accommodation that you prefer and methods of transport. You are not part of a group.

This said, we are lucky enough to have links with extremely knowledgeable people who know specific regions intimately, who lead small group departures for us from time to time. Peter Mackinnon escorts our group silk route trip (departing September 2008)& Gina Corrigan who is an expert on the Miao minority, has written the Odyssey guidebook to Guizhou Province and leads trips to South West China. Further information on Steppes Group trips please click here.

Programme 1
Heart of the Dragon
Guilin has inspired painters and poets for generations and pictures of its striking karst formations have graced many a coffee table book.

Guangxi Province roughly translates as 'vast, boundless west' and its varied topography ranges from rolling mountains to spectacular rice terraces. Neighbouring Guizhou is less visited than other areas and is well known for its hospitable minority people and enjoys more folk festivals than any other province in China. Again the rural scenery here ranges from limestone caves & terraced fields to verdant forests and Asia's biggest waterfall.

Programme 2
Shangri-La - Yunnan, meaning 'Beautiful clouds in the South' is one of Chinas most diverse and naturally beautiful provinces with terrain ranging from snow capped, alpine mountains to tropical rainforests. Shangri La, also known as Zhongdian is located in the far north and is where China ends and Tibet begins

During a trip to this province you will find cormorants still being used to catch fish on Erhai Lake, trading communities living in bamboo houses in the sub-tropical regions along the Burmese border, volcanoes in the west and excellent walking in the mountains, where you can get a taste of the diverse range of flora and fauna.

Paul Craven recently visited this area during one of his trips - to read more click here.

Programme 3
Tibet
There are regions of Tibet, and its older historical boundaries, that are in fact more Tibetan in their character than the areas most people currently visit - Lhasa, Gyantse, Shigatse and the road to Kathmandu. Wonderful scenery, traditions and culture found in the more remote parts of Yunnan, Sichuan and Qinghai Provinces provide a fascinating insight into Tibetan life complimented by their festivals and strong religious links. Steppes creates itineraries designed to include the more traditional visits, yet with our knowledge and your desire to explore, we can give you an even more memorable experience to treasure.

Programme 4
Beyond the Great Wall
A series of man-made fortifications, informally referred to as the Great Wall, stretches several thousand kilometres from the east coast of China into the sands of the Taklimakan Desert. To the north lie the vast stretches of open grasslands, neighbouring Mongolia with its traditions of horsemanship and nomadic lifestyles, and the mountains of Manchuria. To the west lies a continuation of the Silk Route into Central Asia, Pakistan and Iran. Magnificent cities grew along its length; Xian, Kashgar, Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva and Isfahan. Usually impossible for most to cover the vast network of the Silk Routes in a single journey, they is an attraction that draws the traveller back time and time again.

Programme 5
Land of the Panda
and
Programme 6
Tides of Change
Vast regions of China have changed beyond recognition in the past 25 years and the pressures from the State to modernise together with people's own perceptions of a better life have caused conflict. Our China specialist Paul Craven first visited China in 1989 and has returned over 30 times since then so has seen some of these changes first hand. The flora and fauna of the country is diverse but is being forced into smaller and smaller areas as urbanisation encroaches. Botanical visits are possible in areas that sit close to historical cities and scenic wonders. Ornithological tours are also a realistic possibility with China receiving many migratory birds that flock to great lakes such as Qinghai lake and its coastline. Seeing animals in the wild is a somewhat stronger challenge. A lack of infrastructure usually makes trips a reality for only the most adventurous.

Our sister company, Discovery Initiatives specialise in small group tours offering a privileged insight into conservation projects . They offer a Wild Giant Panda & Rural Study Tour in South West China - click here for further information.

Please contact Paul or KateB to discuss any travel plans you may have.
Telephone 01285 651010

To visit the BBC Wild China website click here.