Visiting forbidden cities

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The Olympics is just the time for you to explore some of the remotest places in China.

There are a little over 100 days to go for the 2008 Beijing Olympics. The event has already had more press than it bargained for due to protests in Tibet and to a lesser extent in the Xinjiang region of China.

But the government insists that the protests will not result in travel restrictions for foreigners to certain regions. If they live up to their promise, the Olympics will be a rare opportunity to explore some nooks and corners of the country.

First up on your itinerary should be Xinjiang, the province which forms the bulk of northwest China. This land is home to most of China's Muslims and is best known for lying on the ancient Silk Route.

Explore the ancient city of Kashgar and the bone-dry Taklamakan desert, and interact with the indigenous Uyghur people. The second-highest peak in the world, K2, is on the province's border with Pakistani Kashmir. The lofty Tian Shan, Kunlun Shan, and Pamir ranges make for impressive viewing.

Tibet, in spite of the turmoil there, cannot be struck off your list. Although there is a train to Lhasa now, the road journey from Chengdu to Lhasa has a charm of its own. Experts say Tibet will be quiet during the games, as any violence could mean a massive loss of revenue.

Inner Mongolia is part of the great Mongol steppes, yet very accessible from Beijing. The grasslands here once resonated with the hooves of Genghis Khan's horde. In fact, Khan's mausoleum and cenotaph are at Ordos in the province.

Heilongjiang province, on the border with Russia, is interesting for its contrasts. Harbin, its capital, has a variety of influences that can be compared in the Eastern Orthodox, Roman Catholic and Protestant churches that dot the city. From here you can make a short trip to the Russian Pacific port of Vladivostok and even test the fringes of Siberia.

In the heart of southeast China are the Wuyi Mountains, which divide Fujian from Jiangxi province. They are a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a biodiversity hotspot home to some rare species of flora and fauna. The Da Hong Pao tea favoured by the Chinese elite is produced here. Legend says the tea has medicinal properties.

No trip to China is complete without a visit to Shangri-La county, named after the mythical city. Located in Yunnan province that abuts Burma, it is home to the Ganden Sumtseling monastery and many more examples of Tibetan architecture. You can also trek to the mighty Yangtze river nearby, as it makes its way through Tiger Leaping Gorge.