China is one of the biggest countries in the world. Tourists from all over the country visit to experience their culture and learn more about their history. However, since the country very vast, a tourist may not be able to visit all sites all at once. You would probably start with the big city and visit the modern places to go like the newly built Disneyland in Shanghai. However, there are some historical places that are a must-see when traveling in China.
The first and most famous stop would be the Great Wall of China. The Chinese call it Changcheng which when translated into English means the Long Wall. The Great Wall of China is more than 6,000 kilometers long. It starts from the fortress of Shanhauguan in the east and stretches until the fortress of Jiayuguan in the west. Some of the best-preserved parts of the wall can be found in Beijing, Tientsin, and Hebei. Its height varies; some areas are just around 8 meters high but other can reach up to 16 meters. Its width was designed to fit a whole army passing includes its cavalry. It is one of the seven wonders of the world and is a majestic view to see.
The next recommended place to visit is the Forbidden City and Imperial Palace in Beijing. It is the largest and most important structure to see when visiting China. It was built more than 500 years ago and became home to 24 Ming and Qing Emperors. Only the imperial family and their courtesans were allowed the enter the palace. The forbidden city is around 720 thousand square meters wide. It is guarded by 10-meter high walls with watch guards and a wide moat which serves as the firsthand defense in the event of attacks. The massive place may take you some time to tour everything, however, there are some suggested places that you must not miss. These places are the Hall of Supreme Harmony, 35-meter tall building housing the imperial throne, the famous banquet hall namely the Hall of Preserving Harmony and the Golden River Bridges.
Chinese history narrates the tradition of burying the emperor’s whole army when he passes away. One of the breathtaking historical sites to see is the Terracotta Army. It was in the 1970s when farmers on the outskirts of Xian discovered China most significant archeological discoveries. Found in three different underground pits was a depiction of an army with 8,000 warriors, around 520 horses and more than 100 chariots that are most likely from around 280 BC. This discovery is believed to be the guard to the first emperor’s tomb. This is a remembrance of the loyalty, history, and culture of China centuries back. The Emperor Qin Shi Huang’s Mausoleum Site Park where the Terracotta Army is located would surely give you chills and goosebumps to experience standing in front of a whole assembly of soldiers.
Prepare your heart and tissues as you visit one of the heartbreaking memorials in history. If you happen to be in Nanjing, you must visit the Nanjing Massacre Memorial Hall. Nanjing local government made a structure to remember and pay tribute to victims of the Nanjing Massacre. The Nanjing Massacre Memorial Hall not only remembers those who died but also the victims of the rape of Nanking. Although we reminisce a tragic moment in Chinese history, we highlight the resiliency of Chinese people. Not all history books highlight this event in Chinese history, and not everyone may be eager to know the details of this events but this is definitely one of the important historical events to learn study about in China.
Daryl Green