The Wonders of China - Part 2

Continuing the top most beautiful and scenic places to visit in China.

China abounds in natural wonders, but humans are responsible for some pretty amazing creations too. Of course the Great Wall of China is bound to make any traveler’s list of things to see, and there are many more historical and important man-made wonders in China. For  Part Two of the Top 10 Most Beautiful Places in China, we explore the man-made sites. Full of beauty, local culture, preserved architecture and historical significance, these spots are important to China’s past as well as its future. And they aren’t bad to look at either.

6. The Great Wall of China

The Great Wall is an obvious choice on any traveler's itinerary, and for a good reason. One of the “New Seven Wonders of the World," the wall is nonhomogeneous, made up of brick, stone, earth and wood, and dotted with trenches dug during its construction. The creators also utilized natural barriers, like rivers and hills, to add to the wall’s defensive properties.

Archeological studies place the wall at over 13,000 miles long, stretching from Shanhaiguan in the east to Lop Lake in the west. Even more amazing than the massive size and length of the wall is that its construction began back in the 7th century BC. The wall was originally built to protect China from invaders. For visitors, sections of the Great Wall vary quite a bit; some areas are much more popular and than others, and there are important factors to consider before choosing which part to visit: the physical fitness required to tour the area; scenery and location; construction condition; and crowds. Oh, and here’s one fun (and slightly disappointing) fact -  Though a popular and enduring myth, the Great Wall cannot actually be seen from space. Viewing the wall from space would be akin to viewing a human hair from two miles away. 

7. Hangzhou and West Lake

This capital city of Eastern China’s Zhejiang Province and its highlight, West Lake, are tranquil getaways that locals and visitors can both enjoy. Mountain surroundings and city views make  this spot something of an oasis in the city. Perfect for active and nature-loving types, there are trails around the lake for running, walking and biking with a view. For those interested in an even slower-paced and more relaxing experience, lake cruises are available. Bridges, tree-lined walkways, traditional Chinese pagodas and pavilions are dotted around the lake and add to the cultural ambiance. The scene is so idyllic, it has been known to inspire Chinese garden designers. The city of Hangzhou itself has many cultural and historical relics and sites to visit. Hangzhou’s appealing combination of natural beauty and culture has led to its reputation of being one of China’s most beautiful cities.

8. Lijiang Ancient Town

In southwest China’s Yunnan Province lies Lijiang and its World Heritage Site, Lijiang Old Town. First built in 1126, this ancient town exhibits the Nakhi ethnic group’s preserved architecture, customs, culture, art and a complex but effective water system that still functions today. The architecture combines elements from many different cultures throughout the centuries and is noted for being authentic and of a high quality. The culture of the Nakhi people is one of the things that sets Lijiang apart from other ancient Chinese cities. Their culture was based on the Dongba religion, whose followers practiced witchcraft, were skilled in medicine, and passed on their traditions and values through literature and art. The old city has expanded in recent years due to an increasing amount of tourism - and there are fears that this may spoil the ancient city.

9. Wuzhen Water Town

In ancient times, the town of Wuzhen, located in northern Zhejiang Province, grew prosperous because of its extensive waterways that were used to supply water to other parts of China and to transport goods. As a major hub for trade, the canals and waterways wove through the town amongst its streets. Today, these canals still flow and, along with pagodas, architectural stone bridges, pathways, wooden carvings and traditional boats, make for a charming scene; so much so that Wuzhen has been called “the Venice of the East.” Wuzhen’s workshop district offers traditional cultural experiences, such as fabric dyeing and printing demonstrations, cloth shoe making, and tobacco-planting. The town has a number of different districts with their own personalities, so people looking for nightlife, traditional culture, souvenirs and alleyways to get lost in will be sure to find what they’re looking for.

10. Victoria Harbor

Victoria Harbor, located between Hong Kong Island and Kowloon Peninsula, is known for having one of the most beautiful views combining city and nature, with the world’s tallest skyline and Victoria Peak looming behind. The top of Victoria Peak - and the observation decks of some of the tallest buildings in the world - offer amazing views of the expansive city and the harbor. In fact, bad views are a rare site. Whether it’s a daytime glimpse of the mountains or a nighttime scene of twinkling city lights, seen from the top of Victoria Peak or from a boat cruise in the water, it’s easy to see why tourists flood to the harbor. The harbor is also a busy active port, receiving over 220,000 ships full of goods and visitors per year.

From secluded and peaceful mountains and cliffs, to ancient small towns full of culture, to one of the largest and busiest city harbors in the world, beautiful vistas are not hard to come by in the Chinese landscape. Such an expansive country with such a wide variety of geography and topography has hidden treasures all over; many of them carved, crafted or created by ancient and modern peoples. Take the time to explore an unknown place and discover China. Haven't read part 1 yet? Check it out here.

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