Tuesday, July 6, 2010

Attractions In China - Recommended Must-See Attractions In The Middle Kingdom

By James Brad Lee

China is a place that simply amazes and excites its visitors like no other destination can. China is the perfect choice for visitors who want to escape to a different world, with its undulating and pristine natural landscapes and ancient man-made wonders that bear testament to the country's long and illustrious history.

Being the third largest country in the world, there is simply no shortage of things to see and do in China, whether you are interested in the colourful ethnic folklore, brilliant architecture, yummy delicacies or breathtaking natural sites. There is certainly something for every preference and taste, guaranteed to amaze you and leave you with an unforgettable impression. Here are my recommendations of five popular and amazing tourist attractions in China you can seriously consider visiting.

The Great Wall of China

This iconic man-made wonder, that was originally built to keep out hostile forces from the north, has become one of the most recognizable landmarks in all of China. Snaking its way endlessly through unforgiving terrain, the world's longest wall of defense is made up of many linked walls built throughout different dynasties. Voted as one of the new Seven Wonders of the World, you have not really visited China until you have seen and experienced the Great Wall.

The Terracotta Warriors

After being accidentally discovered by a farmer and subsequently unearthed by archaeologists in the 1970s near Xi'an, this stunning collection of thousands of life-sized pottery figurines has never failed to generate interest among tourists. Resting nearby the tomb of Emperor Qin Shihuang, this underground army consists of armour-clad warriors with unique facial and hair features, chariots and horses. The sheer wondrous appeal of the site has earned it the unofficial moniker of "8th wonder of the world".

Guilin and the Li River

Guilin and the surrounding region is an area of incomparable beauty and mystique, with its majestic limestone formations, fog-covered hills and its crown jewel, the stunning Li River. The Li River resembles a blue ribbon in a Chinese painting and winds its way through a diverse range of landscapes including oddly-shaped mountains and thundering waterfalls on both sides. For the ultimate scenic vacation, do consider cruising down the river from Guilin to Yangshuo, which allows you to soak in all of the marvelous natural sights.

Giant Pandas

As the poster animal for global environmental conservation efforts, the critically endangered giant panda is also one of the National Treasures and an all-time favourite attraction of China. If you have always wanted to see them in their natural environment, you should pay a visit to the Wolong Nature Reserve in Sichuan province, a 3-hour journey from Chengdu, the provincial capital. In this Reserve, you can play with and feed these majestic animals along with the researchers.

Yu Yuan Gardens

The Yu Yuan Gardens can be found in southwestern Shanghai and are well-known for being one of the most exquisite examples of architecture and landscaping in the Ming Dynasty. Here, you will see an amazing combination of sculptures, flora and classic architecture such as the Yu Ling Long (a jade sculpture) and the Grand Rockery as well as quaint pavilions and the iconic zigzag bridge.

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