With more than 5,000 years of continuous, fascinating history, China is an incredible treasure trove of culture for every visitor to the continent. The country is incredibly diverse and ever-changing, blending ancient imperial dynasties with breathtaking natural landscapes and futuristic megacities. Here are six wonders that you should include in your travel bucket list.
Amazingly well-built, the Great Wall goes on and on along rough mountain ridges. Some areas around Beijing are very crowded, but the Mutianyu section, which they have recently fixed up, is much less busy. Here, you’ll go over old watchtowers and get a stunning view of green pine forests.
The amazing size of the stone walls tells a story of ancient military power and the strong will of an empire. Walking along these old flagstones gives you a real sense of how long and complicated Chinese history is.
Lying undisturbed under the earth for more than two millennia, the Terracotta Warriors are among the most significant finds in ancient archaeology. This massive underground army comprises thousands of life-sized clay soldiers, horses, chariots, and others that formed a force to protect Emperor Qin Shi Huang. All the details, including the faces, uniforms, and ranks, of each clay soldier are absolutely lifelike.
You can get priority seating and knowledgeable commentary even when the place is very busy, when you book a full China country tour package. An expert guide brings these ancient court secrets and the imperial secrets behind this quiet army to life with stunning effect.
This giant complex is home to the world’s largest group of well-preserved ancient wooden buildings. When you walk through the beautiful Meridian Gate, you’ll enter a world of glazed roof tiles in gold and carved marble.
According to the rules of feng shui, the layout shows the Son of Heaven’s ultimate power. You will be going right into the heart of dynasty history as you look at the private living quarters, throne rooms, and imperial gardens.
People have called Suzhou the “Venice of the East” because of its beautiful water canals. It has famous classical gardens that are meant to look like big natural landscapes in a small, private urban area. The Humble Administrator’s Garden has a lovely maze of ponds that connect to each other, lovely pavilions, and old bonsai trees.
Because everything is so even, you can tell that the people who live there really value balance, nature, and art. It is a peaceful and deeply poetic place to get away from the noise and chaos of city life.
The numerous shadowy temple sanctuaries at this UNESCO World Heritage site feature breathtaking mural paintings and intricately sculpted clay figures. Depicting the vibrant cultural and commercial history of the old Silk Road, the artwork spans a millennium of unbroken religious devotion.
Here, art from the Mediterranean, India, and China came together to create breathtaking hybrids. One of the greatest insights into spiritual life in ancient times and the global exchange routes is conveyed through the delicate touch of the brushwork and the intense colours.
In traditional Chinese culture, people consider large natural landscapes spiritually uplifting and treat them as living works of art. For hundreds of years, the strange limestone karst mountains that rise from the misty Li River have drawn poets and artists. Taking a relaxing river cruise from Guilin to the old town of Yangshuo feels like stepping into a scroll painting.
Along the banks of rivers, traditional fishermen use trained cormorant birds to catch fish under bamboo trees. Traditional Chinese philosophy posits an eternal and peaceful relationship between people and nature.
Going on a trip around China is like going on a remarkable educational adventure that will push you and change the way you see things. All of the sites are full of different kinds of wisdom, from the beautiful engineering of the imperial walls to the calm balance of the scholar gardens.
Always choose a tour package led by a local expert to make sure everything goes smoothly and you’re as comfortable as possible during your trip. They take care of booking internal bullet trains and getting around language barriers so you can enjoy the history.
