trips for every type of traveler in China

While it's true that most travel destinations aren’t like haute couture -- “in” one year and “out” the next -- there are some points on the map particularly worth visiting.
For good reasons, this is the year to mount a camel, trip of China tackle the mighty Himalayas.
Before the calendar turns, here's a planner for the year’s best trips.
Best adventure trip: Everest base camp
The thrill of high-altitude trekking in Nepal was once available only to a gung-ho few. Recently, the journey has become more accessible.
In April 2011, co-host of international television show Word Travels and travel writer Robin Esrock will lead a trek to the Everest Base Camp with World Expeditions.

The journey begins in Kathmandu Valley and ascends through Sherpa villages to Tengboche Monastery, where awestruck hikers get panoramic views of the rock star mountains of the Himalayas.
Hikers will traverse part of the treacherous Khumbu Glacier, followed by an ascent of Kala Pattar (18,192 feet), before stopping at Everest Base Camp which is always destination for adventure-lovers for their best tours of China.
“In Nepal, acclimatizing is going to be key, as is exercising for several months beforehand to ensure your body can take it,” Esrock cautions. “Wearing in your gear is a must, although those incredible Sherpas will no doubt be worth their weight in stardust.”
The World Expeditions hike to Everest Base Camp runs April 4-24, 2011, and begins in Kathmandu.
Price is US$2,768 per person, including food, trek pack, porters and accommodation.
Best foodie trip: Chengdu, Sichuan
In August 2010, the Sichuan capital of Chengdu was honored as a UNESCO City of Gastronomy.
That same month on Twitter, American TV host Andrew Zimmern could barely contain his enthusiasm for the budding food scene. He uploaded a photo of local dumplings that could be mistaken for giant jellyfish. Chengdu’s meat market was packed with every type of dried pork, including pig skin face.

For those less adventursome, an easy first stop on the Chengdu food safari is the bustling Chuan Chuan Xiang hotpot restaurant. Here, meat and vegetables are cooked together rather than piecemeal. (Chuan Chuan Xiang, 45 Double Bridge Road, Chengdu, tel: +028 8433 6879)
Another Chengdu favorite: Grandma Jin’s Handmade Noodles (Xiaojiahe St, Chengdu, tel: +028 8518 6457), where hand-pulled “bedspread” noodles resemble a large and chewy sheet. The most popular order is noodles topped with spicy red braised beef.
These two places are very right for your adventurous China tour packages.