China’s rich history and culture can be seen in the many museums across the country, as well as its gardens and palaces. Here are some of our favorite museums to visit while in China!
Forbidden CIty
The Forbidden City is located in Beijing, China. It was built by Emperor Yongle (Yongle means Eternal Happiness) in 1420 CE. Once the home of the emperor and his family, now it has become a museum that houses many treasures including the world’s largest jade Buddha. In addition to its size and beauty, The Forbidden City also holds great historical significance as it was once where emperors ruled China from 1421 until 1924 when they were ousted by Sun Yat Sen’s revolutionaries. The Forbidden City is the best-preserved example of ancient Chinese architecture and home to many royal treasures.
Summer Palace
The summer palace is a great place to visit on a warm day. You will find a lot of people walking around, playing games and having picnics in its many gardens. The Summer Palace was built in the 18th century by Emperor Qianlong as his personal retreat. Each garden has its own unique style with lakes, bridges and pavilions as well as stone carvings from all over China. There are also many different species of plants that you can see along the paths through the park!
Something similar is the Humble Administrator’s Garden, one of the most famous gardens also known as “Lingering Garden”. It was designed by a Ming dynasty official named Zhang Cong-shen and is located in Suzhou, Jiangsu Province. It covers an area over 18 hectares (44 acres) and consists of a small hill, a lake, pavilions and other structures. The garden is famous for its rockery and rock arrangements which have been imitated by many other gardens all over China since then.
Ming Tombs
The Ming Tombs are a series of imperial mausoleums located in Changping, about 70 km (43 mi) northwest of Beijing. The Ming Tombs are the resting places of 13 emperors and empresses from the Ming dynasty (1368–1644) which is the most famous ruler dynasty of China.
Yellow Mountain
The Yellow Mountain is located in China’s Anhui Province. It is famous for its spectacular scenery and hiking trails that allow visitors to explore its lush landscapes. There are many scenic spots in this region, including Gold Peak Temple (Jinhua Gate), Five Old Men Pavilion (Wuzhen Temple), Yungu Grottoes (Yungu Cave), Cloud Dispelling Monastery (Yunyan Temple) and so on. It takes about three hours from Huangshan City Hall Bus Station to get there by bus; otherwise you can take a taxi or hire a private car service with an English-speaking driver.
If you’re planning a trip to China, these are the top things to see!
