China – The oldest civilization.
The rise of Chinese businesses and the opening of the Chinese market to the world has resulted in a sudden surge of tourism and growth in the country. There are many different ways of touring China. Visitors can have a choice between four and five star hotels, to comfortable wayside inns for that authentic old-world experience. Take a rickshaw or a modern motorcade to explore China’s busiest streets and bustling cities. High-end brand stores and numerous vendor stalls selling garments and jewelry cheap can literally be found within the same block. Chinese symbols adorn most posters and signs in the city, with Chinese as the predominant language, and English not as commonly spoken, so it is always best to hire a trusted guide for most of the interpretations. China is so large that it takes careful planning to be able to see most of the treasures and historical landmarks that they offer during your stay. The country of course, is best known for the Great Wall of China, now a world heritage site, and the longest man-made structure in the world. Other places include the 8,099 life-sized statues of the terracotta army found in Emperor Qin’s mausoleum. The Forbidden City, site of the imperial palace of the Ming and Qing dynasties, are open daily. The beautiful Beijing Summer Palace still remains one of the most majestic places in China, complete with the man-made Kunming Lake.
Other places to visit include boutiques and markets centuries old, or have your fortunes told or palms read by Chinese geomancers. Chinese astrology was a highly prized science during ancient China, and vestiges of that legacy still remain today. Many Chinese are superstitious and believe in Feng Shui and auspicious years of the Chinese zodiac. Similar to the Western zodiac signs, Chinese zodiac signs consist of twelve different animals from the dragon to the horse to the rabbit, and Chinese believe that their fortunes depend entirely on the year of the animal they were born in, and plan their lives accordingly. It is a refreshing change to be able to explore not only Chinese astrology and Chinese zodiac signs, but of the other myriad religions practiced that can be clearly seen in the serene Buddhist temples and the intricate Chinese calligraphy symbols adorning museums.
China is a strange twist of East meeting West – while quick to become thoroughly modernized since their economy boom in the 90s, it still manages to maintain a sense of tranquility discernible in their wonderfully restored building and tourist landmarks, all centuries old. China remains one of the more astounding paradoxes, and is undoubtedly one of the most magnificent places in Asia to visit.