China: Top 20 sights of the Celestial Country

Great Wall of China

An attraction you've undoubtedly already heard of! After all, it is hard to find another construction in the world that would arouse so much interest among scientists, travelers, builders and ordinary people as the Great Wall of China. The process of its construction gave rise to a lot of rumors and beliefs, cost incredible efforts and colossal expenses, depriving the lives of hundreds of thousands of people involved in the construction.

In the period from the 5th to the 2nd century BC between the Chinese kingdoms were waged wars of conquest, so the future state was formed. So the world's longest structure was erected for the purpose of defense. It stretched for almost 9,000 kilometers. According to other data, if you take into account all the turns and bends of the wall, its length will be about 21 thousand kilometers.

Today, the Great Wall of China has become a symbol of national pride and the government spends colossal funds on the preservation of this architectural monument in the hope of preserving the wall for posterity. To be in China and not to walk along the legendary structure can be considered a real tourist crime.

Terracotta Army

This unique monument has no analogues anywhere else in the world. The history of the place goes back to ancient times, when in case of the death of the ruler, together with him, buried alive and all his subject soldiers.

But the ruler Qing Shihuangdi was more humane and, breaking tradition, ordered to bury only the statues of his soldiers. And so they have been standing here for centuries, bringing sadness to some visitors and joy to others. Each statue is made of clay and painted in light terracotta color. The weight of one sculpture is about 135 kilograms. In total, there are from 7 to 9 thousand statues in the tomb.

Next to the attraction is the Terracotta Army Museum, aka the site of archaeological excavations. During the tour, visitors can learn all the details of the creation of the army and watch a small movie.

Giant Buddha

In Sichuan Province of China, near the city of Leshan, a huge Buddha sculpture 71 meters high — one of the world's oldest sculptures — is carved right into the rock.

This Chinese landmark in the form of a giant Buddha is located at the confluence of three rivers, whose oncoming streams form dangerous whirlpools. Many locals and fishermen have died in these torrents, so, according to legend, the monk Hai Tong decided to curb the elements by carving an image of the deity into the rock. When cutting out the sculpture, the workers threw the rock fragments directly into the river, which allowed the turbulent water flows to be partially dammed. This is how the Buddha came to curb the water element.

By the middle of the 17th century, the stone body of the Buddha was hidden by the 13-storey Dasyange temple, and after the temple was destroyed by a ruthless fire, the Buddha statue was opened for public viewing and has survived to this day.

Hong Kong City

The city of Hong Kong is packed with so many attractions that we have decided to summarize them under one heading so that you don't get confused by the variety.

The city on the southern coast of China, spread over more than 260 islands and has its own special social, economic and political status. Today it is also a major financial and business center, playing leading roles on the world stage.

There are so many sights here that even a multi-day trip is not enough to explore them. Here are the most interesting of them

• Lantau Island — the largest island of Hong Kong, where there are quiet beaches and lively entertainment centers;
• Yeng Hau Temple — an ancient temple in traditional Chinese style, especially revered by fishermen;
• Pat Sin Lang Mountain Country Park — a system of scenic natural landscapes of the mentioned mountains;
• Ocean Park — a world-class entertainment facility aimed at exploring marine underwater life;
• Hopewell Center — one of Asia's tallest skyscrapers with a complex system of escalators, a circular rooftop pool and a revolving panoramic restaurant;
• Qingma Bridge — a suspension bridge that is one of the top 10 longest bridges in the world;
• Citywalk — a large shopping mall with numerous clothing, accessories, jewelry and food stores;
• Ngong Ping 360 — Asia's largest cable car with a length of 5.7 kilometers.

Monkey Island

The Monkey Island Reserve is spread over an area of about a thousand hectares and is a sanctuary for more than 2,000 monkeys. You can get here by boat or cable car, which is a Chinese landmark in itself.

The nimble inhabitants of the reserve are accustomed to people — they freely approach visitors and willingly contact them, so when visiting the territory of the reserve you should follow a few simple rules. For example, you should not wear shiny and precious jewelry that attracts attention, because interesting animals can simply steal these valuable items.

For lovers of animals and funny monkeys in particular this place may seem like a real paradise!

Forbidden City

The Imperial Palace in Beijing, erected in 1420, was the residence of emperors for many centuries — a total of 24 emperors and their families lived here at different times. All the royalty was housed behind these walls, and for a long time outsiders were forbidden to enter, hence the second name of the palace — Forbidden City.

The construction of the palace complex was started in 1406, and about a million builders and more than a hundred thousand other specialists — talented artists, masters of stone and wood carving and many others — participated in its erection.

The whole complex of the Imperial Palace includes 9999 buildings, which, as you have already guessed, attract travelers from all corners of the world with their amazing beauty and grandeur. The palace is also surrounded by an Imperial Garden of unspeakable beauty, with stone pools, gazebos, pavilions and, of course, an abundance of plants. All this luxury is open to the eyes of tourists.

National Museum of China

The National Museum of China is not just gigantic, but exactly the largest museum in the world! It has an area of 192,000 square meters. The museum was created in February 2003 by merging two other museums that existed long before that. Here you can dive headfirst into the history and culture of multifaceted China, find answers to questions of interest to inquisitive travelers.

"Ancient China" and "The Road to Revival" are the most important permanent exhibitions of the museum, reflecting its history, and there are about 3000 exhibits.

There are constantly changing temporary exhibitions and research on archaeology, history and art, cultural and educational activities.

Summer Imperial Palace

The Summer Imperial Palace has been the second most important residence of the imperial family for several centuries. From the outside, it is very different from the strict and official Forbidden City — the magical views and ornate gardens set the mood more for relaxation than for dealing with matters of national importance.

Both the park and the palace have acquired their current appearance relatively recently. At the end of the 19th century they were almost completely destroyed by French and British troops, and then rebuilt by the widow of Empress Cixi. At the same time, the park also received its modern name, "Iheyuan", which can be literally translated as "Gardens of Preserved Harmony".

Soul Refuge Temple

On the western slope of Feilai Mountain in China is the oldest temple of Zen Buddhism in all of southeastern China — the Temple of Soul Refuge, founded by the Indian monk Hui Li in 326.

During the 16 centuries of its existence, this Chinese monument has experienced many destructions and rebuildings — history has preserved records of twelve thorough reconstructions. The modern buildings, as they are now, were built in the 17th century.

Today the monastery includes several rooms — from north to south there are three main pavilions.

• The Hall of Heavenly Masters houses a statue of Maitreya Buddha and a statue of Skanda Buddha carved from the trunk of a camphor tree that is over 700 years old. The ceiling of the hall is lavishly decorated with skillful ornaments.
• The Mahavira Hall is decorated in traditional Chinese style with three levels of cornices, with a golden statue of Shakyamuni Buddha sitting on a lotus throne in the center.
• The Buddha Healing Hall, reconstructed relatively recently, houses a golden statue of Buddha on its altar, with statues of the Sun and Moon on either side.

A visit to this place imbued with spirituality and grandeur is recommended to all travelers.

Edge of Light Nature Park

This wonderfully beautiful place is located right on the seashore. The local landscape is characterized by a special luxury — high cliffs of various shapes frame the blue sea, turbulent waves crash on the steep shores, everywhere blooms green trees.

This place is ideal for leisurely strolls: the wide central avenue leads directly to the white beach with clear sea. The wide strip of sandy beach framing the park is complemented by huge stones, which have been shaped by nature itself, with the help of wind, water and sun. Many of the boulders are even carved with hieroglyphs with various philosophical sayings.

Besides, the territories of the park preserve centuries-old history — there were military disputes during the dynasties of Tang, Sui, Qing, Ming, defense during the Sino-Japanese war. Therefore, there are its own attractions — the Qinshihuang Temple, the Mountain of Light, the old bridge, the stone of the Qin Dynasty and many others.

Ocean Park

There is something to see in China even for the youngest visitors. The Ocean Park in Hong Kong is a great experience for children and adults alike.

The park consists of two levels. In the lower part there is the Museum of Missing Animals, the zoo and the Ocean Park itself. The upper part is occupied by rides, swings, an aquarium and a sea lion sanctuary. The highlight of the park is the Mad River ride, from which you can go down by boat, at a speed of almost 60 km/h.

Jiuzhaigou Valley

Extremely rich nature of China, and now we will talk about one of the amazingly beautiful natural locations. In the south-west of the country, not far from the city of Chengdu, there is Jiuzhaigou Valley, the richness and diversity of which is simply impossible not to be fascinated by: crystal clear, transparent lakes with different shades of water bordered by turbulent and abundant waterfalls, and in pristine wild forests live rare species of animals.

The tourist route to the valley was opened in 1972. A little later the reserve acquired the status of a national park, and already in 1992 it was included in the UNESCO list.

Waitan Embankment

One of the most atmospheric places in Shanghai is the Waitang Promenade, a one and a half kilometer stretch of Sun Yat-sen Street near the Old City that transports visitors to the heart of Europe right in the middle of the Chinese metropolis.

This distinctive area is very different from the usual Chinese aesthetics and attracts with an amazing city panorama, which is especially beautiful at night, when it is illuminated and reflected in the waters of the Huangpu River.

A striking contrast to the usual panoramas are the historic European buildings built in the early part of the last century at a time when the city was the gateway to Europe. The most famous of such buildings is the Customs House, which is memorable because of the large clock crowning the structure. Boat rides are popular along the waterfront, and the best views of the city can be admired from the Jin Mao Platform.

Temple of Heaven

One of China's architectural landmarks, the Temple of Heaven or Tiantan, located in the southern part of Beijing, has been around for over 500 years. It got its name due to the color of the roof of its main structures covered with blue glazed tiles.

The Temple of Heaven was built by Emperor Yong Le in the early 15th century, during the Ming Dynasty. The first name sounded like the Temple of Heaven and Earth, because both Heaven and Earth were prayed here. In the early 16th century, the Temple of Earth was built in the northern part of the city, and the Temple of Heaven has since become a place of worship for all things heavenly.

The southern part of the structure is made in the form of a square, and the northern part — a round shape, and such their outlines were chosen not by chance, because according to legend, the circle symbolized the heavenly forces, and the square embodied the forces of the Earth.

Guangzhou Opera House

This futuristic building will surely attract the eyes of every tourist. It is not in vain, because the construction of the theater took 5 years and 200 million dollars.

During construction, the so-called "double pebble" principle was applied. Outwardly, the building has streamlined forms and really resembles a sea pebble. The choice of this form of the theater is not accidental, because the sea itself has played a major role in the economic life of the city. The repertoire includes both modern and classical operas, musicals and ballets.

Light and music show Symphony of Light

The inhabitants of the Celestial Empire can also surprise with their shows. The most grandiose of all is considered a light and music show in Hong Kong. It involves 47 buildings, dozens of fireworks, lanterns, laser displays and lights.

The show takes place every day (but only in clear weather) at 20.00. The show lasts for 15 minutes. The plot of the show is based on a certain idea and content. The best way to enjoy the Symphony of Light is from the tourist panorama or the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront.

Victoria Cove

Victoria Cove, a natural harbor located near Hong Kong Island, has long been known for its scenic views. Sometimes this harbor is also referred to as the "Pearl of the Orient".

The special zest of the harbor is not the natural landscape, but the ultra-modern urban panoramas. The harbor promenade is one of the most beautiful places, where the eye is drawn to the view of magnificent modern architecture from the opposite side of the rounded coastline. This waterfront street has become a favorite strolling spot for citizens and visitors, so there is a concentration of cafes, restaurants, stores, souvenir stores, as well as boutiques, art galleries and a large entertainment center. One of the highlights of the bay is the laser show we told you about above, when thousands of colored lights flash over the harbor and fireworks explode into the sky.

Car Museum in Shanghai

Shanghai is a wealthy city. Therefore, no money was spared to create a modern museum and a very interesting collection of cars. Investments in construction amounted to 400 million yuan. How much the cars themselves cost is a secret. One collection of Rolls-Royce and luxury Americans of the 60s is worth a lot. Not to mention the first cars of the beginning of the last century. And the collection of British MGs can be envied by many European automobile museums.

Shanghai Automobile Museum is the first specialized car museum in China. It occupies an area of 28,000 m2. Despite the fact that the museum was opened a little more than 10 years ago, the Automobile Museum of China has already become one of the most visited museums in the world.

Xuankong Xi Hanging Monastery

This shrine, located in Shanxi Province, has a rich history and architecture. The monastery was built in 419 by directly cutting it into the rock. The back wall and main support of the temple is the mountain. The rest of the walls are held on wooden piles.

The monastery consists of 40 halls and pavilions decorated with 80 statues of Buddha. The temple supports three religions at once. Travelers from all over the world flock to see the unique shrine, because in ancient times such construction of the temple was not uncommon, but only a few analogues scattered around the world have survived until now.