The sandstone pinnacles of Tianzi Mountain, a world heritage site in Hunan province. Phil Chapman

John Smith has been in China three times since taking over as chief executive of BBC Worldwide, the commercial arm of the British Broadcasting Corporation in 2005. Like many other foreign visitors to this economic powerhouse, his destinations have always been Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou.

But he is now considering new destinations on his next trip after watching Beautiful China, a documentary series co-produced by his company and China Television Media Ltd, a subsidiary of China Central Television Station (CCTV).

Yunnan snub-nosed monkey female with baby, in Baima Mountain, Yunnan province. Xi Zhinong

On top of his list are Yunnan and other provinces known for their scenic splendor. "Like many other people in the West I understand that China is an ancient nation with many cultural attractions, but little did I know that it has so many natural wonders," he says.

Beautiful China, with its six episodes, is to be shown on BBC2 in May and later on CCTV. "At a time when the world's gaze is on this amazing country that is to host the Olympics, I am confident that the documentary will be widely viewed," he says in an interview with China Daily.

Twenty-five television stations have reached agreements with the BBC Worldwide to broadcast the Beautiful China series in their countries and regions, including Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, India, Poland, Russia, Spain and Thailand, and the number continues to rise, he says.

"Beautiful China was the most popular factual program at the BBC's annual fair of television programs in February," says Smith.