In Beijing, there are a number of international standard courses nearby, including the 7,062 yard Graham Marsh parkland course at Huatang International Golf Club and the 7,203 yard Nick Faldo course at Honghua International Golf Club.
Other notable courses include Beijing Golf Club, the 7,461 yard Scottish links style Beijing Bob Shearer and Thomson Yaoshang Golf Club, the Ronald Fream 6,822 yard Tianjin Warner International Golf Club, the Peter Thomson and Bob Shearer courses at Beijing Yaoshang among a host of possibilities.
If you are in Shanghai, you will be spoilt of choice, with the Peter Thomson layout at Agile Binhai Golf Club, the 7,585 yard Nicklaus and Thomson course at Lake Malaren Golf Club, Graham Marsh’s 7,272 yard design at Suzhou Taihu International Golf Club, Mark Hollinger’s 7,435 yard lakeside course at Jian Lake Golf Club and Nelson and Haworth’s Dragon Course at Haining Lake Hill Golf Club among several other fine courses in the area.
In Xian, just beyond the historic city walls, Xian International Golf Club hosts a 7,287 yard Christina Dikson design and is a lovely layout upon which to squeeze in a round while visiting the Terracotta Warriors. While to the south of the city, the 7,015 yard Jack Nicklaus course is a splendid alternative.
When it comes to golfing in China, the Mission Hills stands out as a major destination for golf aficionados and is located in Shenzhen. With a staggering 12 international standard courses designed by Greg Norman, Jack Nicklaus, Jose Maria Olazabal, Vijay Sing, Ernie Els, Nick Faldo, David Leadbetter and Pete Dye among other premier golfing luminaries. If you are an incorrigible golf enthusiast, you could spend a whole holiday here.
Set in the landscape north of the Chinese city of Schenzhen, across the border just north of Hong Kong’s New Territories, this vast 4,000 acre golfing heaven hosts a five star hotel, six driving ranges, seven restaurants and fifty-one tennis courts among its supporting infrastructure.
In Kunming, the excellent Spring City Golf and Lake Resort is home to two outstanding courses, the 7,204 yard Robert Trent Jones Jr. Lake Course and the 7,453 yard Jack Nicklaus Mountain Course. Also in Kunming, Nick Faldo’s 7,220-yard design at Lakeview Golf Club and another Robert Trent Jones 7,217 yard design at Kunming Sunshine Golf Club are seriously good courses.
To the east of Kunming, Nick Faldo’s 36 hole championship course at Dali Stone Mountain Resort provides is an excellent outing, while south of Kunming, the 7,528 yard Lee Schmidt and Brian Curley layout at Stone Forest not only provide great golfing, but unparalleled scenic splendour among the strange rock pinnacles.
In Lijiang, Joe F. Orbinger’s 7,661-yard course at Ancient City International Golf Club, and the lengthy 8,548-yard Nelson and Haworth design at Jade Dragon Snow Mountain Golf Club provide great golf and ample scenic splendour to a visit of this ancient and historic city.
If you are visiting the pandas at Chengdu and wish to combine a round, the championship course at Luxehills International Country Club is a very worthy and challenging 27-hole layout designed by Mark Hollinger, Brian Costello and Robert Moore.
When enjoying the awe-inspiring scenery of Guilin, the Merryland Golf Club and Resort lends its 7,073 yard Golden Louise designed international standard course is a good way to relax after a hard days sightseeing.
In the far south of China, Hainan Island is another major golfing destination and also basking in the enigmatic Mission Hills glow, with no fewer than ten Brian Curley courses at the Mission Hills at Haikou on the northern coast of the island, together with Colin Montgomery’s 7,252 yard layout at Meishi International Golf Club and Perry and Cynthia Dye’s 7,329 yard course at West Coast Golf Club, and Graham Marsh’s 7,410 design at Meilan Golf Club.
On the southern coast of Hainan along the coast to the east of Sanya, you’ll find the Robert McFarland designed Hot Spring and Sunriver courses at Kangle Spa and Golf Club, Tom Weiskopf’s 7,484 yard layout at The Dunes at Shenzhou Peninsula, together with the brilliant Bill Yo Ji 7,228 yard championship course at Boao Golf and Country Club, Robert Trent Jones Jr’s 7,189 yard woodland course at Yalong Bay Golf Club, Graham Marsh’s 7,129 yard course at the BFA International Conference Centre, Nelson and Haworth’s 7,310 yard layout at Luhuitou Golf Club and the two Schmidt and Curley courses at Dragon Valley and Clearwater Bay.
OTHER China TOURS
Ancient China for Family 15 Days
From Beijing’s Forbidden City to Guilin’s limestone karst mountains, the whole family will enjoy exploring the wonders of China on this tour. Visit historical treasures like the Great Wall and the Terracotta Warriors, join activities like dumpling-making and river kayaking, cycle Xi'an’s ancient city walls and look down on Shanghai from a 474 meter high glass-floored viewing platform. With the Sichuan Opera, the Shanghai circus, and everyone’s favourite, the pandas, by the end of this trip, everyone will be a fan.
China Sonata 14 Days
A broad view of this vast, fascinating country packed with contrasts, this tour brings you the shining towers and trendy neighbourhoods of Shanghai, the legions of terracotta warriors, and the stately Forbidden City. View China’s natural delights in Guilin’s rugged peaks and on a Yangtze River cruise through the Three Gorges, as well as the engineering wonders of the recently completed Three Gorges Dam and China’s ancient Great Wall, projects perhaps equally monumental in their day. This full two weeks of experiencing China is sure to be unforgettable.
Essential China 21 Days
Designed
for the traveller who wants to take the time to explore China’s wonders more
fully, this 21 day tour takes in a wonderful array of experiences, including
the most famous landmarks such as Zhouzhang, the Great Wall, Terracotta
Warriors, Ming Tombs, Leshan Buddha, the Forbidden City and the Temple of
Heaven, combined with cruises of the natural wonders of Guilin and Three Gorges
and visiting some of the country’s spectacular gardens.
Highlights of China 8 Days
This
short 8 day tour of China is designed to maximise the experience of a limited
timeframe, with visits to its outstanding historic sites such as the Temple of
Heaven, Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, the Great Wall, the Terracotta
Army, Beijing’s Olympic venues and the exciting contrasts of modern and
traditional Shanghai.
China Imperial Cities 13 Days
Tour the splendour of imperial history amidst today’s rapidly changing China. See the Great Wall and the Terracotta Warriors, and experience the inimitable peace of classical Chinese gardens and the Forbidden City. Circle Xi'an’s ancient city wall, stroll Beijing’s Tiananmen Square, ride a rickshaw through a hutong, and spend time with a local family. Finally, take in the excitement of Shanghai, from the Bund to the dizzying height of the Shanghai World Financial Centre. China is a study in contrasts and never fails to be a compelling travel destination.
China Holiday with Kids 10 Days
China for the whole family, this tour makes history come alive, with engaging activities at Beijing’s historic highlights like the Great Wall and the Forbidden City, and a visit to a waterpark to cool things off. Head to Yangshuo, where you will find river boat rides and quiet country lanes among rugged karst mountains. Finally, take a whirlwind tour of buzzing Hong Kong and check out Ocean Park Hong Kong theme park before heading home.
China Ancient Capitals 7 Days
Experience the splendour of imperial China exploring Beijing’s ponderously graceful Forbidden City, walk Tiananmen Square, and circle what was once the heart of Chinese power atop Xi'an’s ancient city wall. Gain a more intimate view of Chinese life in Xi'an’s bustling Muslim quarter and aboard a rickshaw in a Beijing hutong neighbourhood. Take in China’s Great Wall at Mutianyu, climb Xi'an’s Big Wild Goose Pagoda, and wander the ranks of the Terracotta Warriors. This is your chance to see the wonders of ancient China, standing today as witnesses to history.
Southwest China Adventure 8 Days
Start off this adventure wandering the streets of Lijiang Ancient Town, then taste the wild around Spruce Meadow on Jade Snow Mountain, and enjoy the Baishi mural paintings and a performance of ancient Naxi music. Step up the adventure with a two day trek at Tiger Leaping Gorge, and top off your experience of Shangri La with the pristine beauty of Pudacuo National Park and jaw-dropping views from a cable car over Blue Moon Valley.
Experience Tibetan Lifestyle 8 Days
Begin your experience of the fabled Tibetan Plateau in Lhasa, where you’ll see the famous monk debates at Sera Monastery, and explore Norbulingka Palace and Drepung Monastery. Climb labyrinthine passageways to Potala Palace, join the throngs at Jokhang Temple and walk the pilgrims’ circuit of Barkhor Street. In Shigatse, visit Yamdrok Lake and sit at the feet of a 26m Maitreya Buddha in Tashilhunpo Monastery. Finally, ascend to Mount Everest Base Camp and enjoy astounding views of this mountaineer’s dream before returning to Lhasa and flying back to Earth as we know it.
China Photography Expedition 9 Days
Starting from Chengdu, this expedition explores some of the most dramatic, rugged high altitude scenery in Sichuan Province. You will travel through majority Tibetan areas to view alpine grasslands, ancient temples, villages steeped in tradition and towering snow-covered peaks. Give your shutter finger one more fling with a visit to Chengdu’s Panda Breeding and Research Centre. This China tour is sure to provide many images, both the iconic and the unexpected.
Great Wall Hiking 10 Days
The iconic Great Wall of China, a string of ancient, defensive fortifications along China’s historical northern border, is a hiker’s dream. Often tracing the ridgelines, the wall offers hikers dramatic views and an exhilarating physical challenge. This tour brings you to several of the most scenic sections of the wall, where you can move at your own pace across this showpiece of Chinese imperial history.
Bird Watching in Sichuan 13 Days
This tour brings you to prime birding locations around northern Sichuan Province, with species unique to the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. In Sichuan’s spectacular natural landscape, June and July are the best time for bird watching. The most well-known birds in this rugged region are the Gorgeous Pheasant (Chrysolophus Pictus), also called the Bird of China, and the Black-necked Crane (Crus Nigricoliis), a particularly rare and precious bird of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Don’t miss your chance to see the precious feathered inhabitants of this remote corner of China.
Historic Tibet and Mount Everest 8 Days
This 8 day tour of Tibet explores the major
historic sites of Tibetan Buddhism, including the magnificent Potala in Lhasa
and many of the former capital’s important historic structures, You’ll also
visit other important temples in Tibet as you journey toward the highlight of
the tour, a challenging and inspirational trek to Rongbuk Monastery and the
base camp of Mount Everest to feast your eyes on the world’s premier peak.
Honeymoon in China 14 Days
Celebrate your honeymoon amidst the magical wonders of China. Take in the imperial grandeur of the Forbidden City and the timeless Terracotta Warriors, explore Xi'an’s lively Muslim Quarter bazaar and meet the pandas of Chongqing Zoo. Relax on a 3-night cruise through the Three Gorges of the Yangtze River. Finally, take in the contrasts of Shanghai, from the timeless Old City, to the Bund’s architectural icons and the modern masterpieces lining Nanjing Road, China’s premier shopping street. Allow China’s vastness and surprising variety to enliven your special journey.
Natural Wonders in China 13 Days
China encompasses an incredible range of landscapes, and this tour brings you face to face with some of the most remarkable. In Beijing, see the Summer Palace, the Temple of Heaven and the Forbidden City itself, and trek a wild and scenic section of the Great Wall. Spend a full two days exploring Zhangjiajie’s photogenic sandstone cliffs rising from seas of mist. View the ‘Dragon’s Backbone’ system of terraced fields outside Guilin, and enjoy the Li River cruise to Yangshuo. Finally, explore the rugged granite peaks of the Yellow Mountains before bidding farewell to China’s natural wonders.