China is an interesting country that attracts travelers from all over the world! Once you have visited the celestial Empire, you will want to return to this mysterious and interesting world again and again. Tourists are attracted by the rich history, beautiful landscapes, temples and exotic food. China is immense, the ancient civilization is striking in the number of attractions. In one trip, you will be able to visit only a small part of what the Celestial Empire can show, and each new trip will bring no less vivid emotions and impressions. Consider the most interesting places in China that every traveler should visit.
Terracotta Army
In 1974, while trying to dig a well in the vicinity of the city of Xi'an, local residents accidentally discovered one of the most fantastic landmarks in the world - the terracotta army! The army was buried together with Emperor Qin Shi Huang in 206 BC so that he would not be left without protection in the afterlife. The Terracotta Army is only part of the imperial tomb: a smaller copy of China was built underground. According to local beliefs, the emperor continues to rule the country after his death. The Chinese ruler wanted to be buried along with the living warriors, but in the end, clay statues took their place. 7000 warriors, executed with scrupulous precision, with unique facial features and armor, demonstrate the colossal work done by the creators.
Forbidden City
In the center of the Chinese capital is the most interesting attraction of the country - the Forbidden City. The magnificent complex is recognized as the largest "royal" in the world and since 1987 has been included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. It is often called Gugun. For nearly 500 years, the Forbidden City served as the imperial seat of the Ming and Qing dynasties. Today, you can visit the Gugong Museum, which reveals the secrets of the life of Chinese rulers. The palace complex is an example of traditional Chinese architecture, consisting of more than 980 buildings from different eras. All buildings in the complex are surrounded by a moat that reaches 52 m in width and 6 m in depth.
The Forbidden City is like the Hermitage: it is simply impossible to inspect it at once. And if you want to truly immerse yourself in Chinese culture and get positive emotions from the trip, then it is better to take an audio guide and set aside 1-2 days for inspection.
Pingyao ancient city
The ancient city of Pingyao was built in the 9th century BC, and acquired its modern appearance only 700 years ago. Every tourist who wants to get acquainted with traditional China should start their journey from here. In Pingyao, the wall surrounding the old city, temples, palaces and pagodas reflecting the cultural heritage of the Middle Kingdom are fully preserved. The neighborhoods are made up of traditional Chinese houses, of which there are more in Pingyao than anywhere else in China - about 4,000. Local residents work hard to preserve the original appearance of the city.
The Great Wall of China
The Great Wall of China is the largest architectural monument in the world. Its length reaches 8850 kilometers. Construction of the monument began over 2000 years ago by order of the Chinese Emperor Qin Shi Huang. The Great Wall of China consists of several interconnected walls that were built by different dynasties up to 1644. The most visited section of the monument is located 70 km from Beijing and was built in 1504 during the Ming dynasty. In 1988, the symbol of Chinese civilization was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Potala Palace
In the mountains of Tibet, which keep many secrets, a magnificent palace complex is hidden. The Potala Palace, built in 1645, is one of the best places in China and an important architectural heritage of the region. Wood, silver and precious stones were used to decorate the landmark. The Potala Palace received its name in honor of the mountain on which it was erected.
Taoist Park "Celestial grottoes"
In the 12th century, under the rule of the Sunn dynasty, the Taoist Park was founded. "Celestial grottoes" are the oldest attraction in Hainan Island. There are many grottoes in the park, and the Chinese believe that they are the entrance to the other world and, after passing through them, you can find yourself in a completely different place. And according to the Taoist doctrine, gods live in the grottoes.
Reserve "Yellow Dragon"
In the mountains of Sichuan province, among the unique natural landscapes is the famous Chinese reserve - the Yellow Dragon (Huanglong). Enchanting high-mountain valleys, countless waterfalls and ancient glaciers will make an unforgettable impression and give vivid emotions to every traveler. In the park you can admire crystal clear lakes of various shapes and colors, meet many rare animals (for example, a snub-nosed monkey or a giant panda, which are on the verge of extinction). However, the most interesting part of the reserve is the natural rapids made of limestone tuff, which literally move and wriggle, creating the feeling that you are in front of a real dragon!
Emeishan mountains
Emeishan is part of 4 sacred mountains for Chinese Buddhists. The top of the mountain reaches 3099 m in height and is called "The top of 10 thousand buddhas". The Buddha, carved into a rock near the city of Lishan, turns his gaze precisely here. On the slopes of Emeishan there are sacred places and temples. In memory of the ancient Chinese legend, which tells how one enlightened one flew off the mountain, riding a three-headed elephant, the local residents erected a majestic monument on its top. The sculptor managed to create an interesting optical illusion: looking at the statue from different angles, the observer will always see only three elephant heads, although in fact there are four of them. This place is especially popular among pilgrims.
Many travelers who have visited Emeishan note the incredible beauty of the "Buddha halo": a rainbow circle created by fog and the refraction of sunlight.
The Path of Faith in Zhangjiajie
Not far from Shanghai, a few kilometers from the city of Zhangjiajie, there is an exciting attraction - "The Path of Faith", designed for true extreme lovers. It is a 60-meter glass trail encircling Tianmen Mountain, which is 1430 m high. Only the most courageous travelers can venture on such a walk.
Chengdu Panda Research and Breeding Center
- Date of construction: 1980
- Area: 66.67 ha
- Lives: 86 pandas.
Travelers looking to see pandas should visit the city of Chengdu in Sichuan province. Here, in the center of panda research and breeding, curious tourists can admire the leisurely animals that live almost in natural conditions. It is worth coming to the center between 8 and 10 in the morning, since by noon the pandas will already be sleeping. You can endlessly admire the black and white "teddy bears". And if you managed to break away from the enclosure, then you should definitely get acquainted with the red panda: it is much smaller in size (from a large cat) and looks like a raccoon, but this in no way diminishes its charm!
