Almost every traveling photographer has thought about visiting China at one time or another. China has more photographic images/reflections than most countries and the price is right. You can take advantage of low air fares and reduced hotel costs. You’ll eat like a king for much less than it costs in your own home town.

Since Tiananmen Square on June 4, 1989, China’s tourism has taken a nose dive. Tourism from the United States alone had dropped a whopping 68.1 percent. Now China wants to encourage visitors so they are offering tremendous discounts on everything from airline tickets to hotels and excellent meals.

Although the U.S. State Department still does not endorse travel to China the mood and tension in Beijing and Tiananmen Square is much reduced from June ‘89. China realizes the impact on tourism and wants to reverse the trend. I joined a group of journalists from Australia, France, Thailand, USSR and Japan for a two week tour of six cities in late September. There were many other travelers from the USA in tour groups who were taking advantage of the lower prices.

The best times of year to viist China are February through June and September through December. January is the coldest month with July being the hottest. There are only two months of real winter. Summer is hot and humid.

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According to the World Tourism Organization, U.S. tourist travel to China is up more than 300 percent from 1990. However, for even the most intrepid traveler, a trip to China can be intimidating. This is understandable, since the language, customs and etiquette are often wholly different than those in the West. Moreover, customs on the Mainland differ from those in Hong Kong. Given the growing popularity of travel to China, Nikko Hotels International polled experts for tips that will make the most of your visit to the world’s most populous nation and its oldest continuous civilization.

Keep the following in mind while traveling in China:

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explore the interesting `real’ side of China during an 18-day tour, especially the markets where tradition stretched back 1000 years and the genuine face of the Chinese could be found.

Fly to Hong Kong, then on to Beijing. Ttravel by train to Xi’an and Chongqing before boarding a cruise boat down the Yangtze River for two nights.

Journey to Yichang and Wuhan, and spend 6 days in Huangshi, before making their your back to Hong Kong.

China’s size and culture is likely to be overwhelming, but is worth it.

The above information would be an extreme experience.

If possible, try to visit the Chinese city of Kunming.