China had some of the world’s greatest ancient empires and civilizations. They had the skills and manpower to accomplish some amazing feats of architecture, engineering, and art. These seven are arguably the most outstanding...
1. The Army That United China: Qin Shi Huang’s Mausoleum
![The Terracotta Army](http://www.l-line.net/data/grey.gif)
The mausoleum was commissioned by Qin Shi Huang, the emperor who ruled the first Chinese empire (theQin Empire, 221–206 BC). The best known part of this huge complex is theTerracotta Warriors. It is China's most impressive mausoleum and unique in the world.
No one has found the entrance tothe huge legendary tomb complex, thought to have lots of treasure, and recorded as having hair-trigger crossbows and booby traps. OurXi'an toursall include Qin's Mausoleum.
- Why and How They the Terracotta Army Was Built
- Facts You Won't Know about the Terracotta Army
- How to Visit the Terracotta Army — an Insider's Guide
2. Greatest Human Feat in History: The Great Wall of China
![The Great Wall of China](http://www.l-line.net/data/grey.gif)
TheGreat Wallstretches 6,000 km (4,000 miles), and it is recognized around the world as the longest pre-modern megastructure. Emperor Qin Shi Huang began the joining together of this vast structure. It is said thata human died for each foot of the wall.
The Qin-Han earthen wall was replaced by the Ming Dynasty stone and brick wall that tourists see today.
- The Great Wall of China - Which Sections to Visit
- How Long is the Great Wall of China
- Best Time to Visit the Great Wall of China
3. The World's Largest Ancient Palace: The Forbidden City
![The Forbidden City](http://www.l-line.net/data/grey.gif)
The Forbidden Citywas the grand palace of the Ming and Qing emperors for 500 years. It is said to bethe biggest surviving imperial palace in the world. It is the size of 80 football fields. Inside, about 9,000 people once lived. The Temple of Supreme Harmony is one of the world's biggest wooden buildings.
Our mainBeijing toursall include the Forbidden City.
4. The World's "Grandest" Canal: the Hangzhou–Beijing Canal
![The Hangzhou-Beijing Canal](http://www.l-line.net/data/grey.gif)
TheGrand Canalis by farthe world’s longest canaland is still an important waterway. It was built to transport goods and people quickly, and to convey water to the dry north, by the Sui Empire (581–618). Stretching almost 2,000 km (1,400 mile) betweenHangzhouand Beijing, it can be seen from乌镇古镇.
Visit the Grand Canal as part of aHangzhou tour.
5. Ancient Agricultural Ingenuity: Dujiangyan Irrigation System
![Dujiangyan Irrigation Project](http://www.l-line.net/data/grey.gif)
Dujiangyanis another water engineering wonder. Functioning for over 2,200 years, it is known asthe world’s oldest large irrigation project still in use. On UNESCO's heritage list a Water Releasing Festival annually commemorates its engineers. It irrigates 5,000 square kilometers (1,900 square miles) of Sichuan's plains.
See Dujiangyan as part of aChengdu tour.
6. Artistically-Advanced Civilization: Sanxingdui and Jinsha Relics
![Sanxingdui Museum](http://www.l-line.net/data/grey.gif)
Among the top archeological discoveries anywhere in the world in the last century, the Bronze Age Sanxingdui and Jinsha Civilization existed during theShang Dynasty. In the museums atSanxingdui(dated about 1,800 to 1,200 BC), and fifty kilometers away atJinsha(1,000 BC), tourists can see their beautiful artwork, metallurgy, and ornaments. See Sanxingdui and Jinsha as part of aChengdu tour.
7. Elegant and Enduring Landmarks: The Dali Pagodas
![The Dali Pagodas](http://www.l-line.net/data/grey.gif)
Last but not least, thethree pagodas of Daliare engineering and artistic wonders. They have survived numerous earthquakes and wars. The tallest pagoda is 16 stories tall, the tallest pagoda in the region from the first millennia, built by the Nanzhao Empire in the year 840. The other two were built about 100 years later, probably by the Kingdom of Dali.
Recommended Tours
There are some bestsellers including some of these ancient wonders:
There are many options for return trips to China, you can get inspirations from these top places provided on this page, or tell your interests to our travel advisor, and they will help youtailor make a China trip!