The Great Wall

Location: Outskirts of Beijing.

Why visit?

The Great Wall, totaling more than 12,000 kilometers in length, is arguably the most famous image of China throughout the world. The Great Wall is a symbol of Chinese traditional culture and the pride of the Chinese nation.

How to get there: Take bus No.919 from DeShengmen station (one bus every 15 minutes), and bus Tourist No.1 from the Front Gate (near bus No.17 station), and bus Tourist No.2 from the east road of Beijing Railway station (near bus No.103 terminus) or from the West Gate of the Museum of Chinese History. Also, take bus Tourist No.3 from DongDaqiao( near bus No.28 station),and bus Tourist No.4 from Peking Zoo station of XiZhimen or from the Apple Garden station, either take bus Tourist No.5 from the west Taxi station at the Front Gate, or bus Tourist No.8 from AnDingmen or Qianmen station, which all go there directly.

Terracotta Warriors

Location: Xi'an, Shaaxi Province

Why visit?

The Terracotta Warriors are among the top archaeological excavations of the 20th Century. The incredible collection of 6,000 Qin soldiers and their horses will bring you to the heroic time of the Warring States.

How to get there: The easiest way to get to the warriors is to take an Eastern tour from Xian. It is worthwhile having a tour guide talk you through the site as the stories that accompany the warriors are particularly interesting. Alternately, you can take the Green Bus from the Bell Tower in Xian that covers the major sites in the east. There is no tour guide on this bus however; or you could take bus No. 306, 307 at the gateway of the railway station to get there.

Tickets: RMB 90 (RMB 65 during the slack season, e.g. Dec., Jan., Feb.)

Opening hours: 8:00-17.30

Pingyao

Location: Located in the central plain of Shanxi province, 108 km from Taiyuan, the provincial capital.

Why visit?

With its well-preserved city wall and streets, stores, temples and residential housing built in the Ming and Qing dynasties, the ancient city of Pingyao is a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage.

How to get there: The best way is to take a bus from Taiyuan to the ancient city; it will take about 2 hours to get there.

Admission Fee: RMB 120

The Forbidden City

Location: The very heart of Beijing.

Why visit?

The Forbidden City is the largest and best-preserved collection of ancient buildings in China. This site is an image of China relayed throughout the world on national days and at public events.

How to get there: You can take bus No.1, 4, 52,103,111 to get there.

Ticket Price: RMB40 in the off-seasons (from Nov.1 every year to Mar.31 next year of it), while RMB60 in the peak seasons (from April.1 to Oct.31every year). The entrance fee of the Treasures Hall and Watch Hall in the Palace Museum is RMB10 extra.

Lijiang

Location: Yunnan Province.

Why visit?

The ancient town was first built at the beginning of the Yuan Dynasty. The ancient town is a UNESCO world heritage site and the center of "Dongba" culture.

How to get there: You can get to Lijiang either by bus or by plane.

(CRIENGLISH.com December 23, 2004)