China is a country with a history of 5,000 years of civilization. Chinese people invented characters in more than two years BC, and later improved them and formed the current Chinese characters. Many landmarks have also been formed in China’s long history and culture. These well-known landmarks at home and abroad have attracted domestic and foreign tourists. Among them, the 10 most famous landmarks in China represent the most glorious and long-lasting culture or scenic spots.

1. Great Wall

The Great Wall is 21,000 kilometers long, so it is known as the Great Wall. It is an ancient military fortification, a tall, solid and continuous long wall, and one of the seven wonders of the world. Since its completion, the Great Wall has a history of more than 2,300 years.

• The Great Wall is mainly distributed in 15 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities including Hebei, Beijing, Tianjin, Shanxi, Shaanxi, Gansu, Inner Mongolia, Heilongjiang, Jilin, Liaoning, Shandong, Henan, Qinghai, Ningxia and Xinjiang. The length of Hebei Province is more than 2,000 kilometers, and the length of Shaanxi Province is 1,838 kilometers. According to the results of the national Great Wall resources survey conducted by the cultural relics and surveying and mapping departments, the total length of the Great Wall in Ming Dynasty was 8851.8 kilometers, and the Great Wall in Qin and Han Dynasties and early Great Walls exceeded 10,000 kilometers. The total length exceeds 21,000 kilometers.

2. Forbidden City

The Forbidden City, also known as the Forbidden City, has always been an important part of Beijing. It was built in the Ming Dynasty in 1420. There are more than 70 large and small palaces and more than 9,000 houses. It is the largest palace in the world and one of the largest and best-preserved wooden structure ancient buildings in the world.

3. Potala Palace

Potala Palace is the highest ancient palace in the world. It was originally built by the Tubo dynasty Zanpu Songtsen Gambo, to marry Princess Chizun and Princess Wencheng. Later it became the residence of the Dalai Lama’s Winter Palace and the place where major religious and political ceremonies were held. To visit the Dalai Lama’s Great Golden Tomb and the Buddha Hall in the Red Palace, one needs to climb 365 steep steps from the gate.

4. The Summer Palace

The Summer Palace is located in the northwest of Beijing and is the most complete garden in the world. You can enjoy a variety of experiences here, including boating on Kunming Lake, walking on the promenade, and enjoying live traditional performances on the ancient stage.

5. Shanghai Yu Garden

Located in Shanghai’s Yu Garden, its construction dates back to the Ming Dynasty and has a history of more than 400 years. This garden is famous for its classical art and sculptures. Wanhualou, Sansuitang, Cuixiutang and Yulinglong are all worth visiting in Yu Garden.

6. Temple of Heaven

The Temple of Heaven was the place where the emperor of the Ming Dynasty once held worship ceremonies and prayed for harvest. It was officially opened as a park in 1988. It showcases ancient philosophy, culture and history, and is a must-have place to go to Beijing. The Temple of Heaven is larger than the Forbidden City and is divided into two parts: the inside and the outside. Its most attractive buildings are Yuqiu Altar, Huangqiu, Yuanqiu Altar, Qi Nian Hall and Huanggan Hall.

7. The Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor

The Mausoleum of the First Emperor of Qin is the first mausoleum of an emperor with a large scale and perfect design in Chinese history. It is surrounded by a large number of burial pits and tombs, including the pit of the terracotta warriors and horses in the “Eighth Wonder of the World”, which is a must-see when visiting Xi’an.

8. Big Wild Goose Pagoda

The Big Wild Goose Pagoda is a holy place for ancient Buddhists. It was built by Master Xuanzang to preserve the scripture Buddha image brought back to Chang’an by Tianzhu. The Dayan Pagoda attracts thousands of tourists every year and is one of the most famous historical sites in China. The Dayan Pagoda is surrounded by lush gardens and squares. The most popular square is the North Square, which has the largest musical fountain in China.

9. Oriental Pearl TV Tower

The Oriental Pearl TV Tower is about 468 meters high. It was built in 1991, and its appearance creates the visual effect of Ssangyong playing with a pearl. Inside the tower are landscapes and facilities such as a space capsule, revolving restaurant, and Shanghai Urban History Development Exhibition Hall.

10. West Lake

Hangzhou West Lake is one of the most popular tourist destinations in China, and has had a huge impact on the gardens of China, Japan and Korea for hundreds of years. Since 2011, West Lake has been listed as a World Cultural Heritage by UNESCO, where visitors can explore numerous temples, pagodas, gardens and artificial islands.