Southern China's Colonial HeritageBeijing, Xiamen, Fujian Tulou, Guangzhou, Kaiping Diaolou

The culture of southern China has been uniquely shaped by years of exposure to foreign influences. As a major deep water seaport, Xiamen has long been the subject of foreign interest, including the Portuguese, who first reached Xiamen in 1541. Until 1840, foreign trade was limited to Guangzhou but after the conclusion of the First Opium War the Treaty of Nanjing opened Xiamen up to foreign trade and international influence expanded rapidly. You'll see some of that heritage on Gulangyu Island, which became a foreign settlement in the 1840s and today is famous for its crumbling colonial architecture.

In Guangzhou, you'll visit Shamian Island, which played a similar role to Gulangyu. You'll also learn about the role of Chinese emigrants in bringing back money, ideas, and trends from overseas while visiting sights such as the Chen Clan Academy and the Kaiping Diaolou.

Xiamen and Guangzhou aside, this guided tour begins in Beijing, giving you chance to see some of China's best-known sights, including the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, and, of course, the Great Wall.