1. The Great Wall
The Great Wall of China starts beyond Jiayuguan in China’s northwest, passing over deserts and grasslands, going along mountain ridges, and finally ends in Hushan in Liaoning Province on China’s east coast. It has a length of over 6,000 kilometers.
The Great Wall was key to protecting agriculture and resisting cavalry of the Huns and other warrior tribes from the north. The advantages of the enormous barrier diminished with the advancement of gunpowder and other weaponry.
2. Huang Pu River Shanghai
The Huangpu River is a multi-functional river with the values of drinking water, shipping, fishery, flood discharge, tourism and many other aspects. The famous Shanghai Port is situated on it. In the past several decades, the Port has been developed to be the port with the largest throughput in China.
3. The Forbidden City
The Forbidden City was the seat of Imperial power for 500 years, and is now a major tourist attraction in China. The total area of the complex is 183 acres, so it takes quite a while to walk through, especially if you want to have a close look at everything. All together there are 9,999 1/2 rooms in the Museum, not all of which can be visited.
4. 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.
5. Jiu Zhai Gou
Stretching over 72,000 ha in the northern part of Sichuan Province, the jagged Jiuzhaigou valley reaches a height of more than 4,800 m, thus comprising a series of diverse forest ecosystems. Its superb landscapes are particularly interesting for their series of narrow conic karst land forms and spectacular waterfalls. Some 140 bird species also inhabit the valley, as well as a number of endangered plant and animal species, including the giant panda and the Sichuan takin.
6. Le Shan Buddha
The Giant Buddha of Leshan (aka Dafo) is the tallest stone Buddha statue in the world, carved out of a cliff face by an 8th-century monk in southern Szechuan province. The Giant Buddha overlooks the confluence of the Minjiang, Dadu and Qingyi rivers and faces the sacred Mount Emei.
7. Hua Shan
Mt. Huashan has been a place of religious importance since at least the 2nd century BCE, when a Daoist temple was established at its base. Since then, pilgrims, monks and nuns have inhabited the mountain and the surrounding area. A network of dangerous and precipitous trails allows them to access the mountain’s five summits, each of which has a religious structure like the tea house on the southern summit. Together, these five summits form the points of a flower shape.
8. Suzhou
Suzhou is a major city on the lower Yangtze known for its canals, bridges, pagodas, and beautiful gardens. These gardens were built and owned by wealthy families and emperors hundreds of years ago, and make for a pleasant place to wander during nice weather.
9. Peking Roast Duck
Peking roast duck is a must-try for visitors to Beijing. With a history of more than 600 years, Peking roast duck is the most famous gourmet cuisine of Beijing and one of the most popular foods in China. It has also received worldwide recognition for its tempting shining color, crispy skin and tender meat.
10. Xiao Long Bao
Xiao Long Baos are essentially mini soup dumplings originated from Jiang Nan China and served in bamboo baskets; in our words, little dumplings of happiness. It is a widely coveted dim sum dish in many Chinese restaurants and has won countless hearts with its hearty soup base tucked within the confines of a thin skin. A pretty Xiao Long Bao, thereafter known as XLB, is one that is sealed with multiple exquisite folds around its crown.
