The 1300-year-old Jokhang Temple is the spiritual center of Tibet.A constant wave of devout pilgrims prostrate outside is a testament to its timeless charm. The golden Buddha statue in the center here is the most revered in all of Tibet. Jokhang was originally built to house the Buddha statues brought to Tibet by the Nepali … Read more
Of China’s surreal landscapes, Zhangjiajie must vie for one of the most impressive. A forest of beautifully weathered spires rises from lush valleys filled with dripping moss, fragrant flowers and acrobatic monkeys. At dawn, the ensemble is accompanied by a chorus of chirping insects. The national park covers 690 km² and deciding where to go … Read more
An icon of Shanghai during the concession era, the Bund was the city’s Wall Street, the site of frenzied commerce and wealth. Originally a towpath for hauling rice barges, the Bund (an English inscription for muddy waterside causeway) has gradually been transformed into an epic loop of Shanghai’s most powerful banks and trading houses . … Read more
With shaded alcoves, glistening fish ponds, pavilions, pine trees sprouting from rock gardens and throngs of Japanese tourists, Yu Garden is one of Shanghai’s top attractions, but it gets overwhelmingly crowded on weekends. Spring and summer flowers bring a fragrant floral aspect to the garden, especially the lush petals of the Shanghai flower Magnolia grandiflora. … Read more
Once home to the Tibetan government and winter residence of the Dalai Lama, the magnificent Potala Palace is Lhasa’s most important landmark. The first glimpse of the towering fortress-like walls is a moment that will be remembered for years to come. An architectural marvel even by modern standards, his 13-storey palace rises 130 meters above … Read more
The West Lake, the classical Chinese definition of beauty, is quite enchanting. Pagoda-crowned hills rise above willow-lined waters, and boats float slowly through the idyllic countryside of laid-back charm. Boardwalks, immaculately placed benches, parks and gardens surrounding the lakeshore offer visitors a thousand and one vantage points to admire the pristine scenery. Originally a lagoon … Read more
One of the finest examples of Chinese Buddhist cave art, these 5th-century caves are truly spectacular. With 51,000 ancient statues and celestial bodies, it looks smaller than everything else in Shanxi. Carved by the Turkic-speaking Tuoba, the Yungang Grottoes drew their designs from Indian, Persian and even Greek influences that swept the Silk Road. Work … Read more
Commissioned by a local prince in 1427 and located next to Parcho Monastery, Gyantse Kumbum is the city’s main attraction. This 32-metre-high chorten features white tiers adorned with decorative stripes and a golden crown-like dome. But the interior is just as impressive, with elaborate paintings (kumbum meaning “100,000 photographs”) inside endless little chapels. The shooting … Read more
A marvel of Chinese garden design and one of Beijing’s must-see attractions, the Summer Palace was a royal retreat for emperors escaping the stifling summer slumps of the former imperial capital, and more recently a playground for the Empress Dowager Cixi. A (short) morning or afternoon exploring the waterways, pavilions, bridges and temples is sufficient, … Read more
The Terracotta Army is not just Xi’an’s most important attraction.It is his one of the most famous archaeological discoveries in the world. This underground, life-sized army of thousands has quietly watched over the soul of China’s first unifier for more than 2000 years of his life. Qin Shi Huang feared the defeated spirits that awaited … Read more