As one of the four great ancient civilizations, China is vast and rich in resources, with a long history and profound culture, leaving behind a wealth of historical sites and valuable cultural heritage that are astonishing and moving. Below are five must-visit historical and cultural sites in China.
1. The Palace Museum/Forbidden City
The Palace Museum in Beijing, also known as the Forbidden City, was the royal palace of the Ming and Qing dynasties, located at the center of Beijing’s central axis, and is the essence of ancient Chinese palace architecture. It is one of the largest and most completely preserved wooden structures in the world, and the best place to understand ancient Chinese architecture and history.
Ticket Price: CNY 40
Opening Hours: 8:30 – 16:30
2. The Great Wall
The Great Wall of China is listed as one of the Seven Wonders of the World and is the greatest construction project in the history of human civilization. The wall began in the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods, was unified after the Qin Dynasty, and expanded during the Han and Ming dynasties.
The Great Wall is a monument to the ancient culture of the Chinese nation and a symbol of pride. Spaning two thousand years and ten thousand miles, it embodies the honor and decline of a nation.
Ticket: 45 CNY
Timings: 7:30 – 18:00 (April to October) 8:00 – 17:00 (November to March)
3. The Museum of Qin Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses
Located in Lintong County, Xi’an, Shaanxi Province, it is the mausoleum of China’s first emperor, Qin Shi Huang, and an underground military museum. It’s the must-visit for everyone’s Xi’an tour, and a magnificent scenic along the China Silk Road.
This place is not only the first but also the largest imperial tomb in Chinese history. The unearthing of 8,000 terracotta warriors, hundreds of chariots, and tens of thousands of actual weapons has attracted global attention, earning it the title of “The Eighth Wonder of the World”.
Ticket: CNY 120 per person
Timings: 8:30-18:00 (Admission ends at 16:30)
4. Mogao Caves in Dunhuang
Located at a strategic point on the Silk Road, the Mogao Caves are not only a transit point for trade between the East and West but also a convergence of religion, culture, and knowledge. For everyone planning China Tours to the Silk Road Mogao Caves is the destination you should never miss out. The grandeur and majesty of this place can only be truly appreciated by visiting in person.
Ticket: CNY 140 per person
Timings: 07:30-18:00
5. Sanxingdui Site
The Sanxingdui Site, located in Guanghan, Sichuan, was discovered in 1986 with its 1st and 2nd “sacrificial pits” revealing a large number of uniquely shaped and exquisite cultural relics, leading people to exclaim, “After three thousand years of slumber, it awakens to astonish the world.” The Sanxingdui culture is very distinctive yet closely related to the ancient cultures of the Central Plains, making it an indispensable part of the early formation of states in Chinese civilization.
Ticket: CNY 72 per person
Timings: 08:30-20:00
