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.