Historical Locations China Travel Advice

Hidden from the Western world for decades, China has recently become one of the top travel destinations for tourists looking for an unforgettable holiday. A visit to Beijing, the capital of China, will open your eyes to the wonders of this exotic Asian city. Plan your visit to include the top destinations from China travel advice sites and you will enjoy both the history and modern splendour.

Starting with the Forbidden City in Beijing, this ancient palace was the official home of the ruling families and their extended households for over 500 years. Used for both residential and ceremonial purposes the Forbidden City was constructed by the rulers of the Ming Dynasty around 1406BCE. This massive city spans an area of 7,800,000sq ft. And actually comprises 980 separate buildings. A staggering 8,707 rooms can be found within the walls and the city now houses an impressive collection of Chinese antiques.

Marvelled at worldwide for its impressive size and organization, the Great Wall of China has been a tourist draw card for years. Built in the 8th century by the Qin dynasty to separate China from Inner Mongolia, the Great Wall was used to stop nomadic invaders from getting in. The Wall itself is 5,500 miles in length and spreads from the Eastern city of Shanhaiguan to Lop Nur in the West. Beijing visitors need not go that far with the North Pass being located right on the outskirts of the city.

Another location not to miss is Tiananmen Square, originally built in 1651 the square gained notoriety in 1989 during the deadly student clashes with the Chinese Army. The square was quadrupled in size during the 1950s and is currently the largest city square in existence. Tiananmen Square is also home to the mausoleum erected after the death of Chairman Mao.

With religion being at the heart of life in historical China it is no wonder that many impressive temples have remained standing today and can be found around the city. A visit to Beijing should include a visit to the Temple of Heaven built in 1420 CE or the Dajue Temple famous for its ancient springs and beautiful trees. The Temple of Azure Clouds is also a fascinating day trip with stone lions standing guard at the gates and 2 Buddhist guardians located on the grounds.

Everywhere you look in Beijing you will find a reminder of the history of the Orient. For a relaxing day out a trip to the Summer Palace where the Royal families went to enjoy themselves is a great idea. Make sure you do not miss the Marble Boat Pavilion carved to look like it was made from stone.

As China takes its place in the Modern world no trip to Beijing should miss a visit to the Olympic stadiums created for the 2008 Olympic Games. With skyscrapers all around you will see that this ancient city is finding a way to fuse the old world with the new.

Make sure your visit to Beijing allows you to explore all the historical locations that are preserved with pride by the locals and see how powerful an empire China used to be.


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