TOP 8 WONDERS OF CHINA

The Wall is the largest man-made structure in the world. Moreover, for the Chinese people it is also a symbol of longevity, perseverance and nationality. The most popular part for tourists is in Badaling. Mutianyu section is, however, a more scenic, less commercialized and more enjoyable part of the Wall. For those who want to see the rugged Wall, Shimatai/Jinshanling area is the area to go for.

One of the most important Chinese sights for history lovers the Terracotta Army is a collection of terracotta sculptures depicting the armies of Qin Shi Huang, the first Emperor of China. The purpose of the army was to guard the emperor’s empire in his afterlife. The figures, dating from 3rd century BC, were discovered in 1974 by local farmers in Lintong District, Xi'an, Shaanxi province, near the Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor.

The city of Guilin and its surroundings are the no. 1 destination for many nature lovers in China. The most beautiful sceneries can be found along the Li River which spans from the city of Guilin to Yangshuo and Xingping. River cruisers can go down the river among spectacular mountains and limestone formations. The city itself offers several landmarks including the Jingjiang Princes City, a royal complex dating from the Ming Dynasty that lies near the center of modern Guilin.

The mountain itself as well as the whole area is well known for its scenery, sunsets, peculiarly shaped granite peaks, Huangshan Pine trees, and views of the clouds from above. Huangshan is a frequent subject of traditional Chinese paintings and literature. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and one of China's major tourist destinations. Tourists travel by rail or plane from Shanghai or the cities of Hangzhou and Wuhu. Many summits of the mountain range can be reached by cable cars.

Jiuzhaigou, a nature reserve in Sichuan, is well known for the clearest water in China and many colorful and beautiful lakes and multi-level waterfalls. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage site. Huanglong is another national park not far from Jiuzhaigou. Visitors should spend at least several days in this area to enjoy the beautiful landscapes, especially in autumn.

To visit Tibet travelers need a special permit from the Chinese Government. Lhasa, the capital city of Tibet, lies some 3900 m above sea level. Visitors usually want to see the Potala Palace, the chief residence of the Dalai Lama. Tourists coming to the city by air can enjoy the spectacular views of mountains surrounding the city. Another option is traveling by the highest railway in the world. The stretch of the rail road starting at Xining, China is the most scenic and quite popular.

Forbidden City, the Chinese imperial palace from the Ming Dynasty to the end of the Qing Dynasty, is located in the middle of Beijing. For almost 500 years, it served as the home of emperors. Nowadays, it houses the Palace Museum. There is no need of a guide in the palace unless you plan to learn details about the Chinese history. You do need at least 4 hours to tour the place though.

It is a hydroelectric dam that spans the Yangtze River by the town of Sandouping. It is located in the Yiling District of Yichang, in Hubei province. The Three Gorges Dam is the world’s largest power station in terms of installed capacity (20,300 MW) and second to Itaipu Dam with regards to the annual generation of electricity. The dam helps protect many areas in the country from flooding during the monsoon. A cruise around the dam is quite popular among tourists admiring the technical wonder as well as the surrounding landscape.

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