I want to dedicate this post to my friends at Custom Royal Countertops & Tile, who support my traveling!
Since the world first learned about China through the traveller Marco Polo’s writings more than 700 years ago, it has been seen as the personification of all that is enigmatic and strange.Even after decades of economic growth, this vast country has not lost its allure. Indeed, the contrast between ancient Chinese customs and the emerging ultra-modern state has only heightened interest in a culture that dates back millennia.
It’s a culture that the Chinese cherish, as evidenced by the preservation of significant historic sites like Beijing’s Forbidden City and Summer Palace, both of which recall the days of China’s emperors. Then there’s the famous Great Wall, which stretches 6,700 kilometers from the Yellow Sea to Central Asia, with countless shrines exuding the spirit of ancient Eastern religions.
As a tourist destination, China provides limitless opportunities for exploration due to its size. No matter if you choose to take a luxurious cruise ship down the scenic Yangtze gorges, visit a bustling city, or seek out the peace of an ancient temple, this country is bursting with great experiences and sightseeing opportunities.
1. The Great Wall of China
“Nobody can be a true hero unless he has been on the Great Wall,” says a famous Chinese proverb, emphasizing the significance of this unique ancient monument.
The magnificent Great Wall of China stretches more than 6,000 kilometers from the fortresses of Shanhaiguan in the east to Jiayuguan in the west, passing through Hebei, Tientsin, and Beijing – where the best-preserved sections of the wall can visit – Inner Mongolia, Ningxia, and Gansu.
The wall contains multiple battlements and watchtowers, and its height ranges from six to eight meters on average but can reach 16 meters in some areas. The earliest defenses on the wall date to the seventh century BC and the best-known portions were added when its numerous parts were brought together in 210 BC.
The stretch of the wall that receives the most visitors nowadays is located northwest of Beijing, close to Badaling Pass, and is easily reachable by organized tours or public transit. Other restored units worth seeing include those near Gubeikou, 130 kilometers from Beijing, and Mutianyu, 70 kilometers northeast of Beijing.
2. The Forbidden City & the Imperial Palace, Beijing
China’s largest and most significant structure, the Forbidden City (Zjnchéng), also known as the Imperial Palace, is a must-see for anybody travelling there. A large portion of the structure was constructed between 1406 and 1420 under the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368). 24 Ming and Qing Emperors lived in this vast complex, which was only accessible by the imperial family and their courtesans because to their presence.
This massive complex, covering 720,000 square meters and protected by a 10-meter-high wall with watchtowers and a wide moat, consists of ceremonial and administrative areas and the emperor’s private residence. Highlights include the five white marble Golden River Bridges; the 35-meter-tall Hall of Supreme Harmony, which houses the imperial throne; and the exquisite emperor’s banquet hall (the Hall of Preserving Harmony). The Palace Museum houses an abundant collection of art and artifacts from the Ming and Qing dynasties (English-language museum tours are available).
Other notable attractions in the Imperial Palace’s vicinity include Tiananmen Square and the Temple of Heaven, one of the country’s most important religious sites dating back to the 15th century.
3. The Terracotta Army, Xi’an
In the 1970s, farmers digging wells on the outskirts of Xi’an discovered what would become China’s most important archaeological find: the Terracotta Army. The discovery, which was spread across three large underground pits and built to guard the tomb of the First Emperor, included over 8,000 life-size warriors, 520 horses, and more than 100 chariots, as well as a large number of other non-military figures from around 280 BC.
Although some were severely damaged over time, many unearthed statues have been painstakingly reassembled and stand as a testament to the emperor’s and the afterlife’s importance. One of China’s most popular tourist locations is part of Emperor Qin Shi Huang’s Mausoleum Site Park. It offers visitors the unique experience of standing in front of this group of soldiers and horses as though watching a centuries-old parade. There are guided tours offered in English.
4. Cruising the Li River, Guilin
Guilin, located in the northeast corner of Guangxi, has some of the most beautiful countryside in China and is known for the Li River, which passes through the town and surrounding karst mountains. While this unique scenery has attracted poets and artists for hundreds of years and has been the subject of countless fairy tales and legends, it is now popular with tourists worldwide who want to see this natural splendor up close.
A cruise down the Li River is the best way to experience the area. The river meanders peacefully through some kilometers of remarkable rock formations and caves with romantic names like the Mount of Unique Beauty, Elephant Trunk Hill, and Reed Flute Cave on its most famous stretch, which runs from Guilin to Yangshuo. Trips can last from a few hours to several days, depending on the type of boat used (from a tourist cruise ship to small bamboo punts).
5. The Summer Palace, Beijing
The sumptuous Imperial Summer Palace (Yhé Yuán), located just 15 kilometers from Beijing, is set among more than 700 acres of beautiful parkland and is one of China’s most visited attractions. While the palace was constructed in 1153, the large lake was added in the 14th century to complement the Imperial Gardens.
The magnificent Hall of Benevolence and Longevity (Renshou Dian), complete with the throne, and the beautiful Great Theatre, a private three-story structure built in 1891 to satisfy the imperial family’s love of opera, are both highlights. This historic venue is still used for traditional Chinese plays and musical events and is well worth a visit for a performance or show.
The Hall of Happiness and Longevity, with its exquisite gardens and courtyards, as well as miles of picturesque paths and walking trails, are additional highlights. Visit the Old Summer Palace’s ruins, once one of the nation’s most ornate and elegant palaces, if time permits. Sadly, this once-impressive building was destroyed by colonial forces in the middle of the 1800s.