China, the most populous nation on earth is undergoing enormous economic and social change. Its economy is expanding at a massive pace which is good news for Australia as we export a large chunk of the industrial commodities that drives that expansion.

Beijing and Shanghai are the main entry points for flights. National carriers Qantas and Air China offer direct flights into both cities. China Southern Airlines operate directly from Sydney and Melbourne to Guanzhou. Cathay Pacific (via Hong Kong), Japan Airlines (via Tokyo/Osaka) and Singapore Airlines (via Singapore) offer the most popular indirect options.

The entire area of Beijing within the city limits is - in many ways - one great historic museum. The innermost rectangle is the Forbidden City. The Imperial Palace, lying inside the Forbidden City and surrounded by a high wall and broad moat, is probably China's greatest surviving historical site. Tiananmen Square, the largest public square in the world, surrounded by museums, parks and the zoo.It is a must see in Beijing.

The Great Wall, stretching for a distance of 5400km (3375 miles), it starts at the Shanhaiguan Pass in the east and ends at the Jiayuguan Pass in the west.

Xi'an, the capital of Shaanxi Province in the north and often regarded as the true historical capital of China. For 13 dynasties, from the 11th century BC, the city was also the capital of China and is now, after Beijing, the most popular tourist attraction in China. The city is most famous for the Tomb of Emperor Qin Shi Huang Di, who first united China under the Qin Dynasty in 200 BC, and its terracotta figures - over 6000 life-sized Terracotta Warriors and horses buried along with the emperor.

Shanghai is one of the world's largest cities and one of China's most famous. Lying on the estuary of the Chang Jiang (Yangtze) River,. European-style architecture, traditional Chinese buildings and sleek modern developments all co-exist in this cosmopolitan metropolis.

Hangzhou was also described by Marco Polo as 'the most beautiful and magnificent city in the world'. Spot some unique wildlife: Chengdu's ancient parks and bamboo forests are the last stronghold of the giant panda

Australian passport holders require a visa that must be obtained before arrival into China: a 30 day tourist visas cost around $30. Visas can be obtained in Australia from one of the following:

Canberra Chinese Embassy
15 Coronation Drive, Yarralumla, ACT 2600
Tel: 02 6273 4783 6273 4471

Sydney Consulate General.
39 Dunblane Street, Camperdown, NSW 2050
Tel: 02 8595 8002 Fax: 02 8595 8001

Melbourne Consulate General
75 - 77 Irving Road, Toorak
Vic 3142
Tel: 03 9804 3683

Perth Consulate General
Level 3, Australia Place, 15-17 William Street,
Peth, WA 6000
Tel: 08 9481 3278

Download China visa application form

You do not need a visa for Hong Kong.

If you need them the Aussie embassy is:

Australian Embassy,

21 Dongzhimenwai Dajie,

Sanlitun, BEIJING 100600

Telephone: (+86) 10 6532 2331 Fax: (+86) 10 6532 4605

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