With over a hundred cities of over a million people, it is easy to lose sight of China’s agricultural heritage and roots. Those seeking a more authentic understanding of real China should venture away from urban areas into more remote rural destinations for a better appreciation of working people’s daily lives, challenges and realities. In Guilin and Huangshan you may judge the depopulating effects of urbanisation on rural life. In Shangri-la and Lijiang you can ascertain how successfully China is integrating its ethnic minorities into a larger national narrative. These areas’ rich tapestry of minority cultures from Tibetan to Naxi to Bai are both manifestly distinct from the majority Han culture, but also seem to be enmeshed within a common destiny.

Including such areas of great natural beauty within an itinerary will provide deeper insight into China’s evolving story.