Ancient heartlands of China

Shaanxi province (not to be confused with its neighbour, the northern province of Shanxi) lies on the Loess Plateau, and is rich in natural resources, particularly coal and oil. The south of this province is a comparatively lush, mountainous area with a mild climate, whereas the north is a harsh landscape of ravines and near-vertical cliff faces where the soft soil has been eroded over the years. The Great Wall of China starts its march to Beijing in the far northern corner of this province.

Guizhou province, sandwiched between Yunnan and Hunan, is a mountainous landscape of weathered limestone pinnacles that hide many of China’s largest natural caverns. Despite the poor soil and over-abundant rainfall, the indigenous ethnic tribes of Miao and Dong people have managed to retain their unique lifestyle, customs and cuisine.