Topic: China

With the largest population of any country in the world and some of the most interesting archaeological and cultural sites, China is a must to visit for the discerning traveller.

Beijing: China Capital

Nothing quite prepares the first time traveller for Beijing, the capital of the People’s Republic of China. Tiananmen Square is breath-taking in its sheer size, with the Great Hall of the People situated on its eastern edge of the square, used as a legislature, it has the biggest hall imaginable. Also located at the eastern edge is Chairman Mau’s Mausoleum, his last resting place. Adjacent to the square is the series of palaces known as The Forbidden City, built by the Ming Dynasty in the 15^th Century.

The Great Wall of China

The Great Wall was built by the first emperor of China, Gin Shi Huang, to protect his Gin dynasty from warring nomads from Asia. Started in 212 BC, the part of the wall mainly remaining today was built by the Ming Dynasty. Somewhat disconcerting for the history enthusiast, are people dressed as warriors that leap out at you unexpectedly from time to time, but the views are terrific.

Xian: Terracotta Warriors

Xian, the capital of Shaanxi Province, is famed for The Terracotta Army which was constructed to guard the emperor’s tomb for his afterlife. The soldiers were first moulded, then fired and painted. It is considered by many to be the world’s greatest archaeological site.