In a land of a billion people and thousands upon thousands of years of history, you’d have to imagine that there’s a lot to do and see. Well, you’d be right. There’s a surplus of things to do in China, ranging from the quintessential tourist experiences to lesser-known, but equally alluring, activities.
Perhaps one of the first things to come to mind when thinking of China is the Great Wall. If you have the stamina, there’s no better way to experience the Wall than a walk from Jinshanling to Beijing. This 3-hour hike through the mountains follows China's most enduring monument along completely restored sections, as well as crumbling sections that are holding onto the past by fingertips. Over steep inclines and gentle, rolling flats you’ll walk, past swaths of wilderness and immense farmland. Definitely make sure the battery in your digital camera is charged for this!
In the heart of Beijing is the Forbidden City, named so because it was once the imperial palace during the Ming and Qing dynasties and not as easy to enter as it is now. Surrounded by a six meter deep moat and a ten meter high wall are 9,999 buildings that will not fail to impress you. Yet while the grandeur of the place is unmistakable, the calm labyrinth of gardens, courtyards, and theaters will charm you just as much.
While you’re in Beijing, make sure you make it a point to see the hútòng, narrow lanes that jut out through the city in many directions like porcupine quills. The best-preserved hútòng are found around a pair of man-made lakes in the city center. This section of the city the last gasp of Old Beijing's gritty charm, dotted with tiny temples, out-of-the-way noodle shops, and quiet courtyard houses.
A great activity in China is a cruise along the mighty Yangtze River. The longest river in Asia and third longest in the world, the 3,720-mile long Yangtze flows generally south through Sichuan into Yuanan, then northeast and east across central to its mouth in the East China Sea just north of Shanghai. The river has over 700 tributaries but the principal tributaries are the Hun, Yalong, Jialing, Min, Tuo Jiang, and Wu Jiang.
Of course, no mention of China is complete without Hong Kong. Start with a trip to the top of Victoria Peak, where you'll be able to get a bird's-eye view of the packed streets of Hong Kong Island, the harbor, and the outer edges of the Kowloon peninsula. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to visit some of the diverse markets that are unique to Hong Kong. There are thousands of restaurants, shops, and places to sightsee in Hong Kong; a Remember Travel agent can help you find the some of the best.
There’s nothing quite like a trip to the Orient; it’s a trip that will make you think as much as it will make you smile. Call a Remember Travel representative today, or stop by our location in the Triangle Town Center if you’re in the area.
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