Top 10 most amazing historical sites and museums in China
By admin on 2015-01-22

"China's most beautiful tourist destinations," promoted by Enjoy World Magazine (travel.sohu.com) and other media, has attracted over 1 million netizens. According to a poll result, 238 of the top destinations were chosen from 509 scenic spots in China.

Here, we will introduce Top 10 most amazing historical sites and museums in China. These 10 historical sites and museums all have their own unique charm.

1. The Museum of the Terracotta Army

The museum consists of three huge pits as well as the hall of the two bronze chariots and horses.

The Terracotta Army (秦始皇兵马俑), also called the "Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses", is a collection of terracotta sculptures depicting the armies of Qin Shi Huang (the first Emperor of China). Farmers discovered the statues of the soldiers in 1974. The Museum of the Terracotta Army was built on the site where the Terracotta Army was found and opened to the public in 1979.

The museum consists of three huge pits as well as the hall of the two bronze chariots and horses. Covering an area of 22,780 square meters, over 8,000 terra cotta soldiers and horses and over 10,000 bronze weapons were discovered in three different pits.

The construction of the army began in 246 BC and came to an end 39 years later in 208BC. Soldiers vary in height and formation and include statues of warriors, chariots, horses, officials, acrobats, strongmen, and musicians. Most warriors hold weapons on their hands, such as bows, spears, swords and machetes.

The museum is a treasure trove of Qing Dynasty's military affairs, science and technology, art and culture. It has been listed as an UNESCO "World Heritage Site". French former Prime Minister Jacques Chirac said: "One can't claim to have visited China unless one has seen these Terracotta Warriors." It is renowned as "the Eighth Wonder of the World".

Today the Forbidden City, a World Heritage site since 1987, still abounds with the sense of grandeur and wealth as it did in ancient times.

Today the Forbidden City (故宫) (or Palace Museum), a World Heritage site since 1987, still abounds with the sense of grandeur and wealth as it did in ancient times. It has an aura of pomp and majesty that transcends the ages. This secret city was closed off from the world for about 500 years and houses 720,000 sq m of courtyards, pavilions, great halls, flourishing gardens and nearly 10,000 rooms come together to form one of the best-preserved historical sites in China.

Owing its origins to the 24 Ming and Qing dynasty emperors who worked and lived here, few of the original buildings remain. The last emperor Puyi, known in the West for the film "The Last Emperor," moved out of the complex in 1925.

The entire complex sits on a north-south axis, or meridian line, with halls and houses symmetrically arranged on the side. It consists of three parts: the outer court where the emperor received high officials and administered state affairs; the inner court where the emperor, empress and concubines lived; and the private Imperial Garden for the imperial family's entertain and relaxation.

It combines the functions of a palace, castle and temple into one magnificent building.

Situated in the red hills of Lhasa, Tibet Autonomous Region, the Potala Palace (布达拉宫) is considered as the pearl of Tibet. It combines the functions of a palace, castle and temple into one magnificent building.

Designated by the State Council as one of the first batch of key national cultural sites in 1961, the palace later became listed on UNESCO's list of the World's Cultural and Natural Heritage sites in 1994.

As one of the most attractive tourist sites in China and the most important sight in Tibet, the Potala Palace attracts tourists from all over the world. Its unique Tibetan style architecture makes it look all the more magnificent and mysterious. It is 117 meters tall with 9 floors, including the palace, many temples and a courtyard.

Additionally, the Potala Palace houses a collection of very rich historical relics, such as frescoes and over 10,000 Tang Ka (scroll paintings). Moreover, its collections contain a large number of precious Buddhist classics and records, as well as gold volumes, jade volumes, gold seals, gold and silver wares, all of which is priceless and bring great insight into Tibetan culture history.

The Great Wall (长城) rises and falls with the contours of the mountains westwards, crossing nine provinces.

From Shanhaiguan, northeast of Qinhuangdao City in Hebei Province on the east coast, the Great Wall (长城) rises and falls with the contours of the mountains westwards, crossing nine provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions over 6,700 kilometers, to end at Jiayuguan, southwest of Jiayuguan City in Gansu Province.

Building of the wall began during the Spring and Autumn period (770-476 BC) and the Warring States period (475-221 BC) of the Eastern Zhou Dynasty. The Great Wall comprises walls, passes, watchtowers, castles and fortresses. The walls are made of large stone blocks. From east to west, the sections at Shanhaiguan, Jinshanling, Mutianyu, Badaling and Jiayuguan have become popular tourist attractions.

As one of the most magnificent ancient defensive works, the Great Wall was listed as a World Cultural Heritage site in 1987.
5. San Kong (Temple, Mansion and Cemetery of Confucius)

Located in Qufu, Shandong Province, the Temple and Cemetery of Confucius and the Kong Family Mansion are three important sites of Confucianism, which together are called "San Kong".

Located in Qufu, Shandong Province, the Temple and Cemetery of Confucius and the Kong Family Mansion are three important sites of Confucianism, which together are called "San Kong".

The Kong Family Mansion (孔府) is located east of the Temple of Confucius with an area of 13 hectares and contains over 480 buildings including halls and pavilions. The Kong Family Mansion is the largest of its kind from Chinese history.

Confucius Temple (孔庙) was originally built as a home for Confucius's eldest son, covering an area of 49 acres. Together with the Summer Palace in Beijing and the Mountain Resort of Chengde, the Temple of Confucius in Qufu is one of the three largest ancient architectural complexes in China. It garners fame not only for its grandness, but also for the rich cultural relics found there. The 2,100 pieces of steles remaining from various dynasties make for a fine exhibition of calligraphy and stone sculpture.

The Cemetery of Confucius (孔林) has the longest line of descendants in the world. The family and descendants of Confucius are buried here. The cemetery is famous for its arboretum, with over 1,000 mature trees, and botanic garden.

In 1994, the Mansion, the Cemetery of Confucius and the Temple of Confucius were listed together as a World Cultural Heritage site.

Huaqing Hot Spring has four springs and the temperature of each hovers around 43 degrees centigrade at all times.

Located at the northern foot of Lishan Mountain in Lintong County, 30 kilometers from Xi'an City, Huaqing Hot Spring is a famous resort in China. Not only famous for its exquisite scenery, but also for the romantic love story of Emperor Xuanzong (685-762) and his consort Yang Yuhuan in the Tang Dynasty.

Huaqing Hot Spring has four springs and the temperature of each hovers around 43 degrees centigrade at all times. The springs contain a variety of minerals and organic substances, such as lime, sodium carbonate, silica, aluminum oxide, sodium oxide, sulfur, sodium and other minerals, all of which have therapeutic benefits for those with arthritis and skin disease.

Huaqing Hot Spring is also famous for its pink peach blossoms, green willows, beautiful pavilions and terraces, magnificent halls, winding corridors and long verandas. Huaqing used to be a bathing site for exclusive use by Imperial families. Lotus Hot Spring looks like a stone lotus and was the bathing place of Emperor Xuanzong of Tang Dynasty. Guifei pool was where Yang Yuhuan, the beloved consort of Emperor Xuanzong of Tang, used to take bath.

Sanxingdui Archaeological Site displays Baodun Culture from Ancient Shu and Jinsha Cultures, the earliest cultures recorded in the history of China.

Sanxingdui is located 4 km northeast of Nanxing Town, Guanghan County, Shichuan Province. This archaeological site was found in 1980. Sanxingdui Archaeological Site displays Baodun Culture from Ancient Shu and Jinsha Cultures, the earliest cultures recorded in the history of China. This vividly showing historical site of 3,000 to 5,000 years ago covers an area of 12 square kilometers.

Sanxingdui Museum (三星堆博物馆) is situated in the northeastern part of Sanxingdui Site and is 40 kilometers to the north of Chengdu and 26 kilometers to the south of Deyang. Sanxingdui Museum is a modern theme museum with an exhibition space of 12,000 square meters. It consists of two pavilions: first one is the comprehensive pavilion and the second one is the bronze pavilion. Comprehensive pavilion includes various kinds of gold, bronze, jade, stone and pottery artifacts.

Sanxingdui has many precious bronze and gold artifacts which include the world's oldest life-size standing human statue of 260 cm of height, the world's oldest gold cane of 142 cm, and a bronze tree with birds, flowers, and ornaments.

Dujiangyan, known as the most important heritage site under state-protection, is the oldest and the only preserved dam-free water diversion irrigation infrastructure in the world.

Dujiangyan (都江堰), a famous scenic area located in the west of Dujiangyan City, Sichuan Province, is still used today since it was built in 256 BC. Dujiangyan, known as the most important heritage site under state-protection, is the oldest and the only preserved dam-free water diversion irrigation infrastructure in the world. Dujiangyan Irrigation System consists of three main constructions. These constructions were well built in order to prevent flooding and to keep the farmland well supplied with water.

Besides the dam, there are many well-known scenic spots around Dujiangyan such as Two Kings Temple, Dragon-Taming Temple and Anlan Suspension Bridge. Anlan Suspension Bridge, one of the Five Ancient Bridges of China, was rebuilt in 1974 with reinforced concrete and steel, and decreased the height by 100 meters.

In 2000, Dujiangyan became a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

<center class="t091105">The Xi'an Beilin Museum is home for steles and stone sculptures.

Located in Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, the Xi'an Beilin Museum (西安碑林博物馆) is home for steles and stone sculptures. First established in 1087 during the Northern Song Dynasty, its original purpose was to preserve and display two classics, The Thirteen Classics and Classic on Filial Piety (Shitai Xiao Jing Steles). Then, after many dynasties' worth of collecting, the museums holdings became larger and larger. It became known as the Stele Forest during the Qing Dynasty. The modern version of the museum was christened Xi’an Beilin Museum in 1992.

Covering an area of 31,900 square meters, Beilin consists of a Confucian temple, the Stele Forest and the Stone Carving Art room. It is the biggest collection of steles in China, with over 3,000 unique pillars. There are 11 exhibition rooms that display works of calligraphy, paintings and other historical records. Most of the museums exhibits focus on Tang Dynasty steles. Just before the first display room, one can find the tablet pavilion that was specially built for the classic, Classic on Filial Pierty.

In 1961, the State Council announced that the Xi'an Stele Forest, later the Xi'an Beilin Museum, was in the first batch of national important historical sites that should receive special protection.

The existing wall was built between 1374 and 1378, making it over 600 years old. It is the oldest and most well preserved city wall in all of China.

Located in the center of Xi'an City, the Xi'an City Wall (西安城墙) measures 12 meters high, 18 meters wide at the base and 15 meters wide at the top. It is 13.7 kilometers long and the length of the east, west, south and north walls are, respectively, 2590 m, 2631.2 m, 3441.6 m and 3241 m. It has four gates; Changle Gate in the east, Anding Gate in the west, Yongning Gate in the south and Anyuan Gate in the north.

The existing wall was built between 1374 and 1378, making it over 600 years old. It is the oldest and most well preserved city wall in all of China.

There are 5948 battlements on the outer side of the city wall, once used by archers to defend against enemies. Every 120 meters, there are ramparts that extend off the main wall. About every 40 or 60 meters, there are water channels made of green bricks used for drainage. The channels were very important for long term protection of the wall. The Xi'an City Wall is a complete and perfected defense system including a moat, suspension bridge, draw bridge and turrets.

In 1961, the State Council announced that the Xi'an City Wall was in the first batch of national important historical sites that should receive special protection.