Must-see sights of the Middle Kingdom

Beijing’s Forbidden City

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

Xi’an’s Terra-cotta Warriors

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

China’s giant pandas

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

Shanghai’s architecture

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

The Great Wall of China

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

Hangzhou

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