The heart of imperial China lay, for 5 centuries, through 24 reigns of Chinese emperors in the Imperial Palace unofficially called `The Forbidden City’, in Beijing. The complex has around 800 buildings and was actually a city in itself, with its palaces, parks, courts and temples. You can still see much of its splendour- its traditional architecture and splendid decoration- and realise how this mini-city could have endured, unconquered, for nearly 25 generations.

The Great Wall of China is China’s most well known attraction, and the only manmade structure visible from the moon, the Great Wall of China stretches 6000 km across the country. Built to keep out invaders, it was begun in the 5th century BC and was still being built till the 1500s. It’s seven metres high and seven metres thick, and although a monument in itself today, never really succeeded in keeping out invading armies, like that of Genghis Khan.  

The Terracotta Warriors of Xi’an is an ode to the majesty of the Chinese emperors. The tomb of the Emperor Qin Shi Huang (generally known as the first ruler of a unified Chinese empire, and the man who began the construction of the Great Wall of China) is situated near Xi’an. What is amazing is that the tomb is literally `guarded’ by around 8000 lifesize terracotta figures of warriors. Some have chariots and horses, and originally, all wore leather uniforms and carried actual weapons. It’s quite unbelievable, and you have to see it for yourself to believe this!

The city of Suzhou, one of China’s oldest, is guarded by a moat and built on a network of canals (fed by the Grand Canal, regarded as China’s greatest engineering feat after the Great Wall).

 Watered by the canal are the beautiful gardens of Suzhou, the three most famous being Shizi Lin, Zhouzheng Yuan and Wangshi Yuan. They’re a medley of flowers, greenery, pavilions, terraces and waterways - all designed to create an atmosphere of tranquility. 

Located in the northeastern part of Hunan province (in south-eastern China), The Wulingyuan Scenic Reserve is one of China’s most beautiful areas. It has an interesting topography of pillars of limestone, with virtually every horizontal surface covered by greenery- dove trees, gingkos and dawn redwoods. Stretching over 370 sq km, the reserve is a World Heritage site and is dissected by many rivulets and brooks. It has an impressive list of wildlife too, including birds, monkeys and reptiles.

These are among China’s best-known sites. There are others, too: the Shaolin Temple at Song Shan (in Henan), much revered by kung fu enthusiasts; the cave temples at Datong and Luoyang; the holy mountain of Emei Shan; the fort of Jiayuguan (the last fortress of the Great Wall and still an impressive structure). There are a whole lot of places to see, culture and history to absorb and imbibe.