China

After decades of self-imposed isolation and agonizing self-destruction in the 20th century, China is mobilizing and building at a frenetic pace in the 21st, reclaiming its historic role as Asia's greatest cultural, political and economic power. Known for centuries in Asia as the "Middle Kingdom," China's influence on most, if not all, cultures of the Far East is comparable to Greek and Roman, and later French and British influence on Western culture.

China is a force to be reckoned with and one of the world's most compelling cultures. Travel to China now to experience this great nation smack in the midst of its profound metamorphosis.