One of the great wonders of ancient China, the Great Wall of China was constructed over a 1400-year period beginning in 220 BC to protect the Chinese Empire from the marauding warrior tribes of Mongolia. With a total length of more than 20,000 kilometers, the wall is the world’s largest military structure. There are several…
Category: Culture
Visiting the Forbidden City in Beijing
A giant complex of temples, palaces and gardens hidden away behind massive walls, the Forbidden City was once the center of world power. It was home to the Chinese emperor and the imperial court from the Ming Dynasty in the 15th century to the dissolution of the Chinese Empire in the 20th century. It derives…
Visiting the Terracotta Army in Xi’an
In 1974, on a rural piece of farmland outside of Xi'an, a local farmer made a huge discovery: the Terracotta Army, which had been lost to the world for 2,000 years. Construction of the army began in 246BC by Emperor Qin Si Huang, the first emperor of a united China. The emperor, who is buried…
Nara: Historic and Holy
While Nara’s neighbor Kyoto receives most of the attention and most of the tourists, no one interested in Japanese history and culture should miss out on the chance to visit Nara. Nara, like Kyoto, was an ancient capital of Japan and as it’s only one hour from Kyoto via train, it’s easy to incorporate a…
The Holy Town of Pushkar
Rajasthan is a desert state in India’s far west. It occupies the area between Pakistan and New Delhi/Agra, and it is one of India’s most visited regions. This is partially due to its convenient accessibility from New Delhi, but also because among its vast desert expanses Rajasthan has some truly remarkable sights. Gigantic fortresses stand…
Dive deep into history and beauty in Dunhuang
Immerse yourself in over 2000 years of rich history in Dunhuang, the former crossroad of two trading routes on the Silk Road. Behold the wonder of the Mogao Caves, a world heritage site that is delicately adorned in beautiful sculptures and paintings on the inside of the caves. Explore the Crescent Moon Pool, a former…
On the Silk Road to Xi’an
One of the four ancient capitals of China, Xi’an has a history that goes back thousands of years. It was once a bustling trading center and terminus of the legendary Silk Road, an epic trading route that led from Europe to China. Marco Polo was the Silk Road’s most famous passenger, but various forms of…
Gyeongju: Korea’s Cultural Capital
Gyeongju is one of the four ancient capitals of Korea and is considered to be the cultural capital of modern South Korea. The city is known for its many temples and historic sights, but though the city receives its fair share of domestic tourists, international visitors rarely venture from the lights and glamor of Seoul…