An oasis of orderly Confucian design, the 267-acre Temple of Heaven Park is unique. It was originally a huge stage for the emperor (literally “son of heaven”) to pray for a good harvest on the winter solstice and perform solemn ceremonies to seek God’s redemption and atonement. Since 1918, this private imperial estate has been … Read more
The Mogao Grottoes are considered one of the most important collections of Buddhist art in the world. At the height of the Tang Dynasty (618-907), the site was home to his 18 monasteries, more than 1,400 monks and nuns, and countless artists, translators, and calligraphers. English-language tours, running at 9am, noon and 2.30pm, are included … Read more
Surrounded by 3.5 km of walls in the heart of Beijing, the UNESCO-listed Forbidden City is China’s largest and best-preserved collection of ancient buildings and attracts 16 million visitors each year. Large enough to accommodate comfortably. This otherworldly palace was steeped in despicable rituals and shared more than 900 buildings with eunuchs, servants, and concubine … Read more