Must-see sights of the Middle Kingdom
◀ Monks
during their prayers
Beijing’s Forbidden City
Shanghai’s architecture
Walk in the footsteps of emperors in China’s former imperial palace, now a museum housing priceless treasures. The most visited place in all of China, this imposing complex of palaces, courtyards and huge ceremonial halls is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a true architectural marvel.
Shanghai’s eclectic architecture ranges from charming Old Town teahouses to beautiful art deco buildings to futuristic skyscrapers in the Pudong district. Admire the view as you stroll along the Bund—the city’s waterfront promenade—an amazing sight, especially at night, when the skyline shimmers with neon lights.
Xi’an’s Terra-cotta Warriors
The Great Wall of China
Visit the incredible life-sized army of 8,000 Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses in the city of Xi’an, entombed in battle formation 2,200 years ago to guard the grave of China’s first emperor. One of archeology’s most aweinspiring finds, this UNESCOdesignated site is still only partially excavated.
One of the Seven Wonders of the World and the largest man-made structure ever built, the Great Wall is actually a series of separate walls extending for more than 5,500 miles. Seeing the Wall with your very own eyes, stretching infinitely into the distance, is guaranteed to be one of your top travel memories.
China’s giant pandas
Hangzhou
Enjoy a rare opportunity to see these elusive and endangered gentle giants, China’s beloved national symbol. Only a thousand or so pandas are believed to still exist in the wild, and Chinese zoo experts hope that the country’s protected reserves will help facilitate successful panda breeding programs.
The wooded hills, colorful pagodas and placid waters of West Lake provide a serene environment and the perfect place to experience a nighttime open-air show of light, dance and music—with the same caliber of performance as the 2008 Beijing Olympics Opening Ceremony, as it is created by the same director. uniworld.com / 43
