Japan
A destination that has been enticing travellers for centuries, Japan may not be the first place that springs to mind when you think about a yacht charter, but...
Luxury Yacht Charter Guide to North China
The northern powerhouse of China plunges you back in time and sweeps you along a golden coastline. Home of the two big names of Beijing and Xi’an, these ports of call will strike the top of any yacht charter list, especially for those looking to stroll the majestic Great Wall and to stand in awe at the sight of the Terracotta Warriors. Visiting the ancient imperial cities is the true draw of North China but beach lovers will also be impressed by the charming coastal cities that pepper these shores.
Reasons to Charter a Yacht to North China
The Great Wall
So impressive it can even be seen from space, China’s Great Wall is a marvel of ambition, architecture, and ancient warfare. Spanning 6400km across five provinces, from the Gobi desert to the sea, this wall is one of the wonders of the world and well worth seeing. Snaking across the landscape in a series of mighty brick, soaring towers, craggy tips, stairs and lookout points, there’s a thousand ways to enjoy the wall. From private lunches to champagne tours and private guides, The Great Wall is one of the grandest sights to see.
Ancient Cities
From the fierce and proud life size figurines of the terracotta army to the ancient palaces and fortified walls that surround Xian, North China brims with the brilliance and the glory of dynasty cities. Even beyond the antiquity of Xian, there’s the Longmen Caves dating back to the 5th Century, Ancestral Temples, and time-honoured rituals. Along with Xian, the north also serves up the beauty of Beijing where hutongs and forbidden places await.
Coastal Charm
While travellers may flock south for sand and sea, North China has a small but opulent choice of chic coastal cities. Qingdao is probably the most popular with its pretty skyline and aptly named Golden Beach. Dalian is also in the north and blends resort break with bustling port. The famous summer escape city of Qinhuangdao brings gentle waters, sandy shores, pretty harbour, and one of the best bird watching experiences in China.
Where to Visit in North China
Qingdao
Attractively perched beside the sea, Qingdao has been nicknamed the Green Island is somehow able to balance a city boom without losing touch with the natural world. Strolling the cobbled streets, sitting on the beach with an ice-cold local Tsingtao beer, and admiring the intricate displays of architecture makes Qingdao a glorious yacht stop for those sailing the northern shores.
Xian
Once upon a time Xian served as the end of the Silk Road making it a meeting point for travellers and traders laden with wondrous things. It was a place of poets and emperors and is a city that still holds a flame for ancient glory. This is where you will see the famed Terracotta Warriors and the City Wall of the Ming Dynasty. But beyond the doorstop thick pages of Xian’s history, the city teems with the modern joys of life and boasts lively bars, excellent restaurants, and the atmospheric tight-knit streets of the Muslim Quarter.
Beijing
Home to some of the best parts of the wall, the weight of Tiananmen Square, and the formerly locked doors of reclusive dynasties dating back to the 15th century, Beijing is an open-air museum. After wandering through the Forbidden City, chowing down on perfect Peking Duck, and sampling earthly sips at the sprawling tea market, you can visit the Dragon Boats on the beautiful Kunming Lake and ride bicycles through the city’s vibrant green spaces.
When to Charter a Yacht to North China
The best time to set sail for North China is the shoulder seasons between the months of April and May and then again after the summer surges in September and October. The north may still feel a little chilly in the early spring months so the later you leave it the better for softer temperatures.
