Beijing is a huge sprawling city and home to over 12 million people. Having been the capital city of both Imperial and Modern China, it has a fantastic collection of sights and walking along the Great Wall or standing atop The Gate of Heavenly Peace from where Mao declared China as The People's Republic and looking out over the enormous Tiananmen Square are experiences that will never be forgotten.

Xian, having been China's capital city for so many years and as the start of the Silk Road heading west through Central Asia has a wonderfully rich and diverse history. The Old City is fascinating though the main reason to visit Xian is to see and experience the incredible and fantastic Army of Terracotta Warriors, standing guard over the tomb of Emperor Qin Shihuang.

A city of over 13 million people that has attracted various comparisons some complimentary (The Paris of the East) and others not (The Whore of the Orient). The city tends to stir strong emotions in people and you will either love it for its hectic pace, frenetic development, wonderful food or hate it for its over population, noise and limited number of sights in the city.