China has a rich history dated from thousands of years ago. Their historical sites are sites of mesmerizing beauty holding sentimental value and recognized by UNESCO World Heritage. This nation is proud of its history, and there are a few must-see destinations when foreigners decide to visit the country.
The Great Wall of China
The Great Wall of China is named as the longest defensive system in the world. This mighty wall is located in the capital of China, Beijing. This ancient breathtaking defensive structure is over 2,300 years old. It was built in different areas in different periods to protect their different dynasties and territorial borders. The Great Wall is constructed in a zigzag manner across the mountains of northern China. Walking this across this whole wall is no easy task as it spans a distance of over 13,000 miles.
The Forbidden City
This magnificent city is located in Beijing. This city is made up of 9999 rooms used to cater to 24 different emperors of various dynasties. The Forbidden City or Palace of Museums served as the Imperial Palace during the Ming and Qing dynasties. This palace is solely based on Fengshui theory and is a pinnacle of Chinese architecture that occurred at that time frame. This is a must visit for all foreign travelers in China.
The Terracotta Army
This candidate for the eighth wonder of the world is the largest underground military museum. It is located in the state of Xi’an. This museum consists of three pits containing the Terracotta Army and is spread over an area of 22,780 square meters. Over 8,000 real life-size terracotta soldiers and horses accompanied by 10,000 items of bronze weaponry exist.
The Potala Palace
This masterpiece of Tibetan architecture is located in the region of Lhasa. The Potala Palace is a favorite among the tourist sites. It was first built as the palace of Songtsen Gamp of the dynasty period. It was later rebuilt and housed by the Dalai Lamas. It is rich in historical relics consisting of over 10000 Buddha statues made of gold, silver, wood, and clay surrounded by beautiful wooden carvings and paintings.
The Summer Palace
Located in Beijing, it is China’s largest imperial garden. It served as a summer resort in the Qing dynasty making its architecture and scenery exquisite. The natural landscape consisting of hills and open water accompanied by halls, pavilions, bridges give rise to a beautiful sight of the eye.
The Magao Grottoes
This is the largest and most important site of the Buddhist Holy land Art. Located in Dunhuang, it is extensively famous for its mural paintings, over 2,415 Buddha statues accompanied by over 50,000 relics.
The Three Confucius Sites
Located in the Qufu, Shandong Province, the Three Confucius Sites include The Kong Family Mansion, The Cemetery of Confucius and Qufu Confucius Temple. These sites are cornerstones of ancient Chinese civilization consisting of old architectural buildings, ancient stone tablets, and the Confucius culture.
