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