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Take a tour around fascinating China

For a holiday with a difference, China offers incredible vistas, remarkable architecture and great cities. There many great things to see and do in this unique country.

If you are thinking in terms of touring holidays in China, the following gives a brief introduction into just some of the wonderful attractions on offer.

Photo: Great Wall of China CC by-SA 3.0 Severin.stalder

The Great Wall of China If this is your first visit to China, this destination is an absolute must.  The Great Wall of China has been dubbed one of the Seven Wonders of the Medieval World, and it is easy to see why. The wall is built along an east-to-west line and stretches right across the historical northern borders of China. According to an archaeological survey, this incredible construction, including several natural defensive points along the way, covers an amazing 21,196 km (13,171 mi). There were rumours that you can see the wall all the way from the Moon, but apparently the astronauts that visited the Moon never mentioned it.  However, NASA did say that on a clear day they can just make it out from space.

Photo: Great Wall of China CC by-SA 3.0 Jakub Halun

Photo: Terracotta Army in the Public Domain

Terracotta Army

Discovered by local farmers in Lintong District, Xi'an, Shaanxi province in 1974, this fascinating collection of terracotta sculptures depicts the armies, horses and chariots of the first Emperor of China, Qin Shi Huang.  One of the most fascinating examples of funerary art, the sculptures were buried with the emperor when he died in around 210-209 BCE and their duty was to protect him in his afterlife.

Today these sculptures can be seen standing in row after row.  There are, apparently, 8,000 soldiers, 130 chariots along with 520 horses and around 150 cavalry horses. What is unusual in such a large display is that each soldier has his own unique features. The collection of sculptures is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and has been called the Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor.

Yangtze River For a true scenic experience in China, a cruise on the Yangtze River cannot be beaten.  The river is the longest in Asia and third-longest in the world, at 6,300 kilometers (3,915 mi).  It is also the longest river in the world to flow entirely within one country. The more popular Yangtze River cruises accommodate you comfortably for around four days and take you sailing through the Three Gorges, a magnificent landscape of vertical cliffs which beautifully frame the river.  Not only do the views offer a unique scenic experience, however, as along the way it is possible to visit the Chengdu Giant Panda Conservation Centre, which is mentioned below.

Photo: Yangtze River in the Public Domain

Chengdu Panda Conservation Centre The giant panda is one of the rarest animals in the world and is considered a Chinese national treasure.  Due to the rarity of these fascinating creatures, there are estimated to be only around 1,500 pandas left in the world, including those in the wild and in several nature reserves in Dujiangyan City, Chongzhou City, and Dayi County. Also the Sichuan Wolong Giant Panda Nature Reserve is located around 130 km (81 mi) from Chengdu and is considered the largest in the world. The breeding and conservation centre itself is located in a metropolitan area in Chengdu, Sichuan province in Southwest China and is one of a kind. A visit to these cute creatures is just one of the must-see options in fascinating China.

Photo: Chengdu Pandas CC by-SA 3.0 Hyjk2000

In conclusion, China’s diverse and scenic landscapes, fascinating historic and cosmopolitan cities and tasty cuisine offer a holiday of a lifetime to suit everyone.  In fact, you may find yourself returning to experience more and maybe go sailing off into the sunset on the lovely Yangtze River.

Photo: Yangtze River at Sunset CC by-SA 3.0 Thomas Rosquin