China has long been known for its incredible landmarks. Ranging from ancient tombs to majestic temples, here are 10 must-visit historical spots across China.
Beijing’s Forbidden City, known as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was home to 24 Emperors during their lives – from birth, through reign, living and death.
Forbidden City
The Forbidden City was home to 24 Chinese emperors over five centuries, and today stands as one of China’s premier museums. Within its walls, an emperor made major decisions regarding state affairs while hosting ceremonies and banquets as he made decisions and conducted banquets governed by courtly protocol. Surrounding him were his wife and her concubines whose roles were dictated by courtly protocol.
Visitors enter through Tiananmen, or Gate of Heavenly Peace, which leads to the Hall of Supreme Harmony containing the Emperor Dragon Throne. Visitors then pass by Middle Harmony Hall and Preserving Harmony Hall where imperial courts held major events including banquets and exams for prospective bureaucrats.
The palace complex’s symmetrical layout reflected strict social hierarchies. For example, its walls and courtyards separated its inhabitants from their emperor, who lived apart behind walls within his private domain; further reinforcing these distinctions were the eunuchs and concubines who resided within its confines – further accentuating these differences between groups.
Terracotta Army
The Terracotta Army, discovered near Xi’an in 1974, is one of the greatest archaeological finds ever. Comprising life-sized terracotta warriors and horses buried underground to guard Qin Shi Huang’s tomb, these amazing sculptures include infantrymen, archers, generals, cavalrymen and charioteers with individual facial features and styles.
Terracotta figures arranged in military formations provide us with insight into Qin warfare and culture, marking a radical departure from previous Chinese art which focused on symbolic elements.
Qin Shi Huang intended for his army of terracotta soldiers to extend his rule even into afterlife. Confident that his mighty army could protect him against rebellious states he had conquered, Qin was certain his powerful army would secure its ruler until they passed into heaven.
Great Wall
The Great Wall stands out among human-made marvels for its astounding length. However, it’s more than a long wall; rather it consists of multiple fortifications across China that were built to defend against hostile nomads and protect Chinese territories against foreign incursions.
China was also an effective border between states and empires, providing trade opportunities, immigration control measures, taxation controls and even shaping China’s national identity.
Badaling near Beijing offers some of the greatest preservations. Here, lookout holes, window embrasures and castellated crenels can be found, along with lookout holes and window embrasures. A cliff-hanging turret at its northern end commemorates Lady Mengjiang; she visited to take winter clothes to her husband who was helping build it, only to discover him dead when she reached there; upon hearing this news she sobbed so loudly that her howl caused part of it to collapse!
Jingshan Park
Jingshan Park was once part of the Forbidden City, until 1928 when New Jingshan Street was constructed and it became detached. Now known for its breathtaking views of the Forbidden City as well as carrying on tradition through Halls such as Longevity Hall, Guande Hall and Loyalty Temple; Jingshan Park remains an acclaimed cultural landmark and scenic view point.
The 45.7 meter artificial hill was built during Yongle reign of Ming Dynasty by using soil excavated for building moats of Imperial Palace and nearby canals. It consists of five individual peaks with elaborate pavilions used by officials for gatherings and leisure purposes – which provide an approximate historical axis for central Beijing.
At the eastern foot of a hill stood an old locust tree where Emperor Chongzhen committed suicide upon hearing of Li Zicheng’s peasant rebels entering Beijing. This original tree survived until Cultural Revolution uprooting.
Lama Temple
Despite being destroyed during the Cultural Revolution, Lama Temple managed to survive thanks to Zhou Enlai who is widely credited with saving it. Now serving as a typical Tibetan Monastery it boasts beautiful statues, screens and painted archways.
Built during the Qing Dynasty by Emperor Kangxi as a residence for Prince Yinzhen in 1694, once his fourth son Yongzheng took power as emperor in 1722 he converted half of it into a Buddhist monastery.
In 1744, his successor Emperor Qianlong converted it to a formal lamasery. The Yonghe Gate Hall features two steles erected by him that are inscribed with Chinese, Manchuan and Mongolian languages as well as an image of Five Hundred Arhat Hill carved in red sandalwood – and other treasures include Wanfu Pavilion which contains a four-storey high Maitreya Buddha.
