We'd like to see Beijing but also get a flavour for other parts of the country . . . Xian in the interior would also be on our wish-list. We'd have about two weeks to spend there. What do you suggest?

M Healy A. Joe Walsh Tours have a couple of options in their 'Worldwide Holidays' programme which might suit, with departures from Dublin, Cork or Shannon. They offer a specific Beijing tour with six nights in the city but, with more time to spare, you'd probably prefer something like their Highlights of China option . . . a 12-day tour that gives you a couple of nights in Shanghai, a four-night luxury cruise along the Yangtse River (with shore excursions every day) two nights in Xian . . . somewhere that you particularly want to visit, no doubt for the stunning Terracotta Warriors . . . and then finishing off with three nights in Beijing.

In Beijing you'll get to walk along the Great Wall, visit the Ming Tombs and take a tour of Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City Alternatively there's a slightly longer tour available (14 days) which also takes in four nights in Hong Kong as well as Beijing, Shanghai, Xian and, in this case, Guilin.

If you want to vary the itinerary you have that option in both of these tours.

Prices, from now until mid-July, for example, are from 2,939 per person for the Highlights tour, from 1,149 for the Beijing-only option and from 3,439 for the longer option including Hong Kong.

Contact Joe Walsh Tours on 01 2410888, www. joewalshtours. ie.