Cultures of China

As you follow the instructions of a Kung Fu teacher in the park, you'll get introduced to an ancient martial art in the land where the demanding discipline of Shaolin Kung Fu was created 1,500 years ago by monks of the Shaolin Buddhist Temple, in the central Henan Province.

Visit one of Beijing's most extraordinary temple complexes to view the Imperial Vault of Heaven, the Circular Mound Altar, and the spectacular Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, a three-tiered wooden temple constructed without using a single nail

See the vast and bare expanse ringed by monuments such as the Gate of Heavenly Peace (which gave the square its name, Tian'anmen), the Great Hall of the People, the Monument of the People's Heroes, and the Mausoleum of Mao Zedong.

Enter the walled imperial palace that no one could access or leave without the emperor's permission. It took more than a million workers to build it, back in the early 1400s.

Cross the street that separates the Forbidden City from Jingshan Park, a lovely landscaped area crowned by a hill with five summits, one of which is the highest point in Beijing. Climb up and take in the panoramic view with the Forbidden City in the foreground.

Supposedly visible from space, this wall thousands of miles long is over 2,000 years old in some sections. Qin began it. The Ming Dynasty rebuilt it. Nixon came to see it. Now you will too, at a secluded section where the skies are clear, the mountain scenery dramatic, and the site still free of crowds of tourists.

The Great Wall runs along mountain ranges, twisting its way up and down along crest lines. Exploring on foot is an extraordinary experience: it will take you back in time, leaving you in awe at the magnitude of the enterprise. Enjoy the challenge as the path may be quite steep between the hills and forts spread along the way.

A fast train whisks you away to an ancient city long known as Chang'an. It took Marco Polo much longer to get there! At the time of his visit, Xi'an was one of the world's largest cities. Nowadays, it remains a special destination as one of the Four Great Ancient Capitals of China.

Visit the fabulous mausoleum of the ruler who founded the Qin Dynasty, back in 247 BC. He became king at the age of 13, and was the first to unify China and rule as emperor. During his reign, he ordered colossal works, notably a defensive wall, precursor of the Great Wall, designed to protect the northern flank of his empire.

Marvel at the thousands of life-sized terra cotta soldiers, some atop their steeds, which form the imperial bodyguards of the defunct, but still mighty, Qin Shi Huang.

Proceed to a Terra Cotta Warriors reproduction factory, where you will see how life-size replicas are made to resemble their 2,200 years old models. Then, enjoy a hands-on lesson during which you will make your very own small-scale warrior to take home as a special souvenir.

Visit one of the best known landmarks in Xi'an, the pagoda also known as the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda as it once counted three more levels. This Buddhist shrine was built in AD 652 to preserve sacred scriptures and figurines of deities brought from India.

Today's flight takes you to the city some consider to be the most beautiful in all of China. Founded in 214 BC, the sub-tropical haven of Guilin has been the subject of inspired poems, odes and paintings ever since.

You will pay a visit to an outcrop that stands out as an arch pierced by a perfectly even crescent-shaped hole: Moon Hill. Climb to the top for a spell-binding panoramic view.

Stalactites, stalagmites and multicolored illuminations are among the beautiful attractions inside this limestone cave, but they may not be as popular as the mud baths in which visitors are invited to splash around, and the cascading hot springs where it's fun to take a dip.

Travel aboard a fast train to a commercial center which is the third-largest Chinese city after Shanghai and Beijing.

Arrive in the "Pearl of the Orient" after a short and fast train ride.