HONG KONG

Visually stunning Hong Kong offers a ‘shop till you drop' lifestyle combined with enclaves of fascinating Chinese tradition.

Hong Kong Island and Kowloon, are an eclectic mix of modern skyscrapers, colonial buildings and traditional temples. For relaxation, Hong Kong's 260 outlying islands provide a tranquil alternative to the frenetic city life. Escape the city and explore the surrounding mountains, discover remote beaches or take in the fantastic cityscape from Victoria Peak.

CURRENCY: Hong Kong Dollars
TIME DIFFERENCE: GMT +8
VISA: None required for Irish Passport holders
VACCINATIONS: No compulsory vaccinations

CHINA

China, the world's most populous (1.2 billion people!) and third largest nation is more like a continent in itself than a country. Stretching from its southern borders in the Himalayas to the deserts of Mongolia in the north, and from the East China Sea through the Yangzi River Valley plains, to the Tibetan Plateau in the western mainland, China covers an area of 9,596,960 square kilometres.

BEIJING (Peking) is a fast-growing, dynamic metropolis that maintains a firm grip on its rich cultural heritage and a strictly Communist social order.

XI’AN is most famous for one of China's most famous and popular tourist sites, the Terracotta Warriors.

SHANGHAI, sometimes called 'Paris of the Orient', is China's commercial and financial centre. Its modern, international and fashionable reputation entice visitors from all over the world to experience the glitz of China's most cosmopolitan city.

CURRENCY: Renminbi (Peoples currency)
TIME DIFFERENCE: GMT +8
VISA: Required for Irish passport holders and must be purchased in advance of travel from the Chinese Embassy. Go to www.chineseembassy.org to download your application form.
VACCINATIONS: Recommended, please consult your doctor.