Beijing, China

For centuries, Beijing has played a major role in China's imperial rule. It was Kublai Khan, a grandson of Genghis Khan, who reunified the Chinese territories and transferred the capital to Beijing during the 13th century. Beijing was not only a lasting imperial city, but also a thriving trading city that served as the easternmost terminus of the caravan routes of the Silk Road. Nevertheless, Kublai Khan's imperial spirit remains in the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, the Great Wall and the Summer Palace.

​Foremost of the sights to see is The Forbidden City, the walled palace and inner compound of China's emperors and imperial family and their retainers, so named because ordinary citizens were not allowed inside. Today it contains the opulent walled complex of the Palace Museum, palaces and seat of power for 24 emperors of the Ming and Ch'ing dynasties. Immediately to the south is Tiananmen Square, a huge plaza that can hold up to a million people and view the Monument to the People's Heroes and the Great Hall of the People, home to the People's Congress. Other sights include the Summer Palace, located in a 700-acre park on Lake Kunming. There are several fashionable shopping areas, the most famous of which is Wangfujing Avenue, just east of the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square.

To the north of Beijing is the legendary Great Wall of China that, as it now stands at Badaling, dates mainly from the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). However, more than 20 states and dynasties were involved in its construction over a period of 2,000 years. Although simple in structure, the wall remains the world's largest engineering and building project. Also outside the city, visit the serene valley, Shisanling, where 13 of 16 Ming emperors chose to be buried. Walk along the Sacred Way, lined by 12 sets of sculptured stone animals.