Welcome to China

China is a vast and extraordinary country spanning thousands of miles from the deserts in the west to the ocean on the east. Culturally, China has one of the richest and textured histories of all civilizations that encompasses over 5,000 years. This is rich stuff for a traveller.

The Forbidden City
The Forbidden City, or Palace Museum, sits at the centre of Beijing, directly north of Tiananmen Square where the famous portrait of Mao Zedong hangs on the palatial crimson wall. It was the imperial seat for Ming and Qing dynasty emperors from 1420 until 1912 when the last emperor, Pu Yi, abdicated. It was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987.

The Great Wall
The Great Wall winds its way across China covering over 4,000 miles (6,700km). While the latest construction occurred after 1368 during the Ming Dynasty, construction of the Great Wall began over 2,000 years ago. In fact, the Great Wall is actually made up of a number of interconnecting walls spanning China that different dynasties and warlords constructed over the years.

The Terracotta Warriors
It has been said that going to China and not seeing the Terracotta Army is like going to Egypt and missing the Pyramids. Viewing Emperor Qin Shi Huang's terracotta army guarding his burial site and protecting his entry to the afterlife from the earthen side of a continuing archeological project is certainly one of the most memorable parts of any trip to China. The site was made a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site in 1987. Discovered in 1974 when a local farmer was digging a well, the terracotta army, buried in 210 BC with the first emporer of the Qin dynasty, is a breathtaking site. The thousands of life-size figures have individually unique faces and hair and armour styles appropriate to their rank. The museum of the Terracotta Army is located in Xi'An, Shanxi province.

Karst  Mountains in Yangshuo
Illustrating the 20 Renminbi (Chinese currency) note, the Karst Mountains are famously beautiful in China. The karst mountain scenery in southern China is famous here and abroad. Mountain scenery from the Li River even graces the twenty Renminbi (Chinese yuan) note. The limestone peaks poke out of the Li valley as if a child had drawn them. Taking in the views of verdant mountains while meandering down the Li River in a tour boat is a wonderful way to kick back and see a part of China that is very different from sprawling metropolis life in Beijing or Shanghai.

Giant Pandas
3 hours outside Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan province, is the Wolong Nature Preserve, the largest panda reserve in China. The centre tries to ensure the Giant Panda species can continue to exist. Tourists can observe pandas in their natural habitat and can also help researchers feed and play with these beautiful and threatened animals.