| You may ask your self over and over again, | | | | 12. Mausoleum of the first Qin Emperor: |
| "Is a trip to China worth it?" Well, I have | | | | This is located in Xian surrounded by the |
| the answers for you. China is a big country | | | | famous terracotta warriors. These statues |
| with a long history and unique culture; it is | | | | remain to be unearthed with the small |
| one of the most beautiful countries endowed | | | | different figures. The horses, weapons and |
| with wonderful and natural sceneries which | | | | chariots are masterpieces of great historical |
| attract tourists every time of the year. A | | | | interest. |
| tour to China can be an educational tour, | | | | |
| recreational tour, adventure tour, cultural | | | | 13. The Mogao Caves: These caves are |
| tour or a religious tour. This depends on | | | | situated along strategic points on the Silk |
| your preference and your length of stay, | | | | route. This point was an important trade zone |
| however whichever tour you decide to take, | | | | during the ancient times. The 492 caves and |
| the trip is always worth it. | | | | cells have also contributed to cultural, |
| | | | religious and intellectual influences which |
| In order to enjoy your tour around China, it | | | | are known for their statues and paintings of |
| is advisable to engage in the services of a | | | | rich Buddhist arts. |
| reliable tour operator based in China. Their | | | | |
| agents have local guides who are willing to | | | | 14. Mount Qingcheng and Dujiangyan |
| show tourists and visitors the sightseeing | | | | Irrigation System: The construction of this |
| and attractions of the beautiful cities. | | | | irrigation system began in the 3rd century. |
| | | | It controls the waters of the Minjiang River |
| Since 24 popular scenic spots were listed in | | | | and distributes it to the farmlands located |
| the World Heritage List by UNESCO, China has | | | | in Chengdu plains. Mount Qingcheng was the |
| become a world renowned tourism destination. | | | | birthplace of Taoism which boasts of many |
| These places are well preserved relics which | | | | sacred temples. |
| date back to some hundreds years with a | | | | |
| historical and cultural theme. The | | | | 15. The Mountain Resorts and its Outlying |
| attractions make for an interesting place to | | | | Temples: This is a vast complex of ceremonial |
| visit on your China tour. The sites as listed | | | | palaces and administrative buildings built |
| by UNESCO include: | | | | into a landscape of pastureland, lakes and |
| | | | lush green forests. The Mountain Resort was |
| 1. The Ancient Building Complex in the | | | | the Qing Dynasty's summer palace built in |
| Wudang Mountains: located in Hubei Province, | | | | 1703 and 1792. |
| these buildings represent the highest | | | | |
| standards of Chinese art and architecture for | | | | 16. Lijiang Old Town: This old town has |
| over one thousand years. | | | | retained its reputation for its historic |
| | | | landscape and commercial center. The old town |
| 2. The Ancient City of Ping Yao: this is a | | | | is set in a dramatic landscape representing |
| well preserved city which presents the way a | | | | the blend of different ethnic cultures to |
| typical Chinese Han city looks like. | | | | produce a sophisticated landscape of ancient |
| | | | architectures. |
| 3. Old Town of Xidi and Hongcun: these two | | | | |
| traditional cities is a representation of the | | | | 17. Peking Man Site at Zhoukoudian: This |
| appearance of the rural settlements | | | | site lies 42km away from Beijing; still under |
| transformed during the last century. The | | | | scientific research, this site led to the |
| styles and architectural designs of the | | | | discovery of the remains of Sinanthropus |
| houses in this region symbolize their | | | | pekinensis. This site is an exceptional |
| survival mechanism of the locals. | | | | reminder of the prehistoric human societies |
| | | | who lived in the Asian continent. It makes |
| 4. Capital Cities and Tombs of Old Koguryo | | | | for an interesting destination for adventure |
| Kingdom: this site has archaeological remains | | | | and archaeological scientists. |
| of the 40 tombs and the three cities - Guonei | | | | |
| City, Wandu Mountain City and Wunu Mountain | | | | 18. The Summer Palace in Beijing: This |
| City. | | | | site is an imperial garden which was first |
| | | | built in 1750, destroyed by the war in 1860 |
| 5. The Classical Gardens of Suzhou: the | | | | and then later rebuilt in 1886. The Summer |
| nine gardens in Suzhou showcase the natural | | | | Palace has a natural landscape of hills and |
| landscape of a small historical city. Dating | | | | open waters and built among man made |
| from the 11th to 19th century, the | | | | pavilions and halls which all together make |
| metaphysical significance of the beauty of | | | | the site a place of value. It is a |
| Chinese culture is seen in the design of this | | | | representation of Chinese landscape garden |
| garden. | | | | design. |
| | | | |
| 6. Dazu Rock Carvings: these are | | | | 19. The Temple of Heaven: This is an |
| magnificent and exceptional rock carvings | | | | imperial sacrificial altar in Beijing founded |
| which date back from the 9th to 13th century. | | | | in the mid 15th century. It represents a |
| These carvings contribute to the beauty of | | | | complex of fine buildings surrounded by pine |
| the landscape of Dazu. They signify the | | | | woods and gardens. According to Chinese |
| friendly combination of Taoism, Buddhism and | | | | cosmology, the overall layout of this temple |
| Confucianism. | | | | and its individual buildings symbolizes the |
| | | | relationship between heaven and earth. |
| 7. Potala Palace, Lhasa: The Potala Palace | | | | |
| was the winter palace of the Dalai Lama. This | | | | 20. The Great Wall of China: The |
| Palace symbolized Tibetan Buddhism and how it | | | | construction of this wall was built as a |
| influenced the administration of Tibet. The | | | | defense system to prevent the invasions from |
| architectural design and beauty of the Potala | | | | the north. This construction continued till |
| Palace is what adds to its historical and | | | | the Ming Dynasty and has remained the largest |
| religious interest. | | | | military structure in the world with rich |
| | | | historical background. |
| 8. The Imperial Palaces of the Ming and | | | | |
| Qing Dynasties: These palaces are located in | | | | 21. Temple and Cememtery of Confucius and |
| Beijing and Shenyang. The palace in Shenyang | | | | the Kong Family Mansion in Qufu. |
| consists of 114 buildings which were | | | | |
| constructed in the late 17th century. It has | | | | 22. Yin Xu in Hennan Province |
| a library which contains important articles | | | | |
| which testify to the foundation of the last | | | | 23. The Yugang Grottoes in Datung city has |
| dynasty of China. | | | | about 252 caves and 51,000 statues. |
| | | | |
| 9. Imperial Tombs of the Ming and Qing | | | | 24. Historic Center of Macao |
| Dynasties: These tombs feature rich | | | | |
| decorations of stone carvings, statutes and | | | | Other natural and mixed sites listed in the |
| tiles with dragon motifs all of which | | | | World heritage List worth visiting include |
| illustrate the development of the | | | | the Huanglong Scenic and historic area, |
| architecture during the Qing Dynasty. | | | | Jiuzhaigou Valley and Scenic spot, Sichuan |
| | | | Giant Panda sanctuaries, the Three Parallel |
| 10. The Longmen Grottoes: These grottoes | | | | Rivers of Yunnan protected areas, Wulingyuan |
| contain the largest and most impressive | | | | Scenic spot, Mt Emei and Leshan Giant Buddha |
| collection of Chinese art from the late Wei | | | | Scenic Spot, Mt. Huangshan, Mt. Taishan and |
| and Tang Dynasties. The Longmen grottoes | | | | Mt. Wuyi. |
| showcase an outstanding manifestation of | | | | |
| manmade artistic creativity. | | | | With this list showing the beautiful and |
| | | | majestic attractions of China, you are rest |
| 11. Mount Lushan in Jiangxi province is | | | | assured that your trip to China would be |
| one of the spiritual centers of China's | | | | worth it after all. |
| civilization. The strikingly beautiful | | | | |
| landscape has inspired many artists to visit | | | | For comments and inquiries about this |
| this place where several Buddhist and Taoist | | | | article, visit Passport to China- Great Wall |
| temples are found. | | | | of China tours. |
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