Top 10 Cultural Heritage of China
Due to the long history of thousands years, China have left a large number of historical and cultural heritage sites, accounting for 35 out of the 50 world heritage sites of China in total. Among the 35 sites, there are top 10 cultural heritage sites must be mentioned as following:
Great Wall
Location: Beijing city
As the symbol of China, Great Wall carries profound history background through Qin to Ming dynasties. Being a great military defense project, it had a far-reaching strategic importance in ancient China, now as a witness of Chinese history, it shows visitors the incredible construction built by human hands. For tourists, Badaling section boasting impressive views is the most essence of Great Wall to explore this masterpiece.
Recommended Tours:
>> 4 Days Classic Beijing Tour Package (Badaling Section)
>> 6 Days In-depth Great Wall Tour (Mutianyu/jinshanling Section)
Great Wall
Temple of Heaven
Location: Beijing city
Temple of Heaven is the complex of religious buildings for ancient emperors to pray for good harvest and peace in Ming and Qing dynasties. With well-preserved ancient buildings and layout of garden landscape and pathways, Temple of Heaven has retained the historic condition. As the largest Altar in the world, Temple of Heaven presents the solemnity of ancient worship and the ancient architectural culture.
Recommended Tours:
>> Temple of Heaven
Forbidden City
Location: Beijing city
Forbidden City once was the imperial palace during Ming to Qing dynasties. As the largest collection of preserved ancient wooden structures in the world, it was listed as world heritage site in 1987. Walking through the gates and walls, you will find the extensive collection of artwork and trace back the footprint of ancient emperors’ daily life.
Recommended Tours:
Forbidden City
Terracotta Warriors
Location: Xian, Shaanxi province
Terracotta Warriors with more than 8,000 life-size terra cotta figures of soldiers and horses buried underground for over 2200 years, in Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor. Based on the real soldiers of the first emperor of Qin's Terracotta Army, the terracotta army is regarded as the Eighth Wonder of the World. Entering the display hall, you will be marveled at the splendor handicraft army and the military power in Qin dynasty.
Recommended Tours:
Terracotta Warriors
Mogao Grottoes
Location: Dunhuang, Gansu province
Mogao Grottoes, also called Caves of the Thousand Buddhas, contain the finest examples of Buddhist art, is best known of the Chinese Buddhist grottoes, along with Longmen Grottoes and Yungang Grottoes. Thanks to The Silk Road, Mogao Grottoes gathered more and more merchants in ancient times and mixed various culture and gain great reputation. Apart from the numerous caves, there are kinds of Tantric murals, painted sculptures and typical ancient buildings to explore.
Recommended Tours:
Dunhuang Mogao Grottoes
Temple and Cemetery of Confucius and the Kong Family Mansion in Qufu
Location: Qufu, Shandong province
Temple of Confucius is everywhere, while in Qufu, the hometown of Confucius, there are two more sites: Cemetery of Confucius and Confucius Family Mansion. All these three cultural sites are known as San Kong, or The Three Confucian, which was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994. Tourists who are interested about Confucianism, the San Kong sites with more complete history and culture about Confucius and Confucius Cultural Festival and more related activities are hold here in Qufu.
Recommended Tours:
The Three Confucius sites in Qufu
Leshan Giant Buddha
Location: Leshan, Sichuan province
Caved into the cliff out of the mountain with a sitting position and face to riverside, Leshan Giant Buddha is the largest Buddha in the world with over 70 meters high. Together with Mount Emei Scenic Area, it was listed into World Cultural & Natural Heritage site. Tourists can climb the stairs along the mountainside to view giant Buddha from head to feet, or you can raft a boat and have a whole view of this massive craft art.
Recommended Tours:
Leshan Giant Buddha
Lijiang Old City
Location: Lijiang, Yunnan province
With a history of over 800 years, Lijiang Old Town once was the confluence for old tea horse road with hustle and bustle trading. Today, this active atmosphere still spread through this ancient town. Combined with historic townscape and commercial need harmoniously, it was declared as world cultural heritage. Mixed Naxi ethnic culture, Lijiang Old City is full of fascinating ethnic features, which makes it more unique not just a leisure place.
Recommended Tours:
Lijiang Old City
Potala Palace
Location: Lhasa, Tibet
Once step on the sacred land of Tibet, Potala Palace, the symbol building of Tibetan Buddhist culture and treasure is definitely your first place to visit. With over thousands rooms, Potala Palace is divided into two parts: the white palace and the red palace, the former one is the residence of the Dalai Lama and the latter is for handling political and religious affairs. In this Traditional Tibetan architecture, there are precious murals, scriptures and local exquisitely tangka preserved. Whether visit inside or outside of Potala Palace, you’ll be impressed by the holy and splendid Tibetan culture.
Recommended Tours:
Potala Palace
Fujian Tulou
Location: Yongding & Nanjing, Fujian province
Fujian Tulou is the classic building complex to represent Hakka culture. Design initially for defense from outside intruders, there is only one entrance to outside with a big open courtyard in the center. With several centuries, Fujian Tulou in Yongding and Nanjing has been best preserved with various shapes of round and square in different sides. Surrounded by mountains and rivers, these Tulou clusters are the best way for tourists to experience Chinese traditional building and immerse in the rural peaceful lifestyle.
Recommended Tours:
Fujian Tulou
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Recommended Tours
Top 3 tours chosen by most customers to explore in the best way. Check the detailed itinerary, or tailor your own trip now with us.
6 Days Classic Chengdu & Lhasa Highlights Tour
Chengdu / Lhasa
6 Days Classic Xian Beijing Tour (by High Speed Train)
Xian / Beijing
Chengdu / Leshan / Emei / Chengdu / Jiuzhaigou
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