Have you ever wondered if there’s a garden paradise on the face of this earth? Well, you’ll be glad to know that there is such a place in Singapore!

Singapore is a garden city and if you come here, I can guarantee that you will find it a home away from home, a city of lush beautiful greenery amid modern skyscrapers. I'm constantly amazed by the beauty of this little island city and I'm sure you will too.

This article will show you the top 5 beautiful places in Singapore which you should visit the next time you’re in Singapore. Remember, no visit is complete if you don’t check out the places mentioned here.

1. Sentosa
The first beautiful place I have in mind is Sentosa. If you like the sun, sand and beach and perhaps theme parks and good food, then Sentosa is a dream place for you.

I know you sometimes might love to let the kids or young ones frolick in the sand – there’s no better place than Sentosa. Go to Siloso beach for the best beach experience in Singapore.

2. Boat Quay
The next thing I’d like to mention to you is Boat Quay. Now, I know that sometimes you might want to get a drink or two late at night – well, Boat Quay is right up your alley. Boasting some of the most popular pubs and clubs in the island nation, Boat is definitely one of the top 5 beautiful places in Singapore – particularly at night.

3. Botanic Gardens
Ok, what’s the next place you ask? Have you ever wanted a stroll through beautiful Southeast Asian flora? Well, the Botanic Gardens, next in our list of beautiful places in Singapore, is a perfect match for you.

Inside, you will see all manner of trees, shrubs and flowers known to Singapore and the region. I know that if you love flowers, the Botanic Gardens is a must-visit.

4. Marina Bay
I’ve always known people who love to stay near the bay area. Well, Singapore has its own bay – Marina Bay - all set to be world famous in 2010 when the Integrated Resorts open.

If you are thinking of settling down in Singapore and buying a place, then check out the properties along the Marina Bay. They are, of course, the most expensive parcels of land in Singapore – so bring like, two million Singapore dollars before you choose a unit, ok?

5. Orchard Road
If you love shopping (and heck I know you do), the Orchard Road shopping district will be a ‘beautiful place’ in Singapore. All manner of shopping centres (e.g. Takashimaya, The Paragon, The Heeren, Centrepoint) exist along Orchard Road and is a definite haven for shopping addicts. Now don’t overspend here ok? You still need some money for the plane home …

Conclusion
Well! I hope the article has shown you some of the most beautiful places in Singapore. I know that time can be short for you when visiting Singapore – so it might be a good idea to pack in the above sights into your itinerary if possible. Happy travels!

By: Gary R. Hendricks
Gary Hendricks runs a travel website about sunny Singapore. Visit his website at Best-Singapore-Vacation.com to learn about the garden city of Singapore and the fun things you can do there.

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The Great Wall of China is not just an ordinary travel icon; besides the role it plays in China’s tourism, it has led to the development of China’s long history and culture. People are curious to understand the facts of how the great wall came about; however, it is not until one visits this majestic structure, you can truly understand the significance of the great wall to China and the rest of the world.

The origin of story of the great wall is unknown, but history shows that the construction of the wall began in the early seventh century B.C and was made out of stone, wood, grass and earth. This was when the earliest regional kingdom was built for the defensive military needs. The purpose was to protect the farming lands from the invasion of the tribes from the north and to hold the natives from vacating the lands. Used as a military demarcation, there were various watchtowers which stood at varying distances from each other; these towers substituted the time warning system used during the ancient times. The fire and smoke signaled the day and night time respectively. Many of these watch towers still remain in their original position where they stood while some have been destroyed during the revolution.

Over the years, parts of the great wall was destroyed and rebuilt and more sections were added. Due to this construction, it stretched so wide from the east to the west bordering almost the entire country. At present, they say it measures about 7300km from one end to the other. There are different sections to travel the wall, all of which have different attractions and features. The sections also represent the roles played during the construction of the great wall. For adventure lovers, it would be a challenging task to travel the entire length of the wall. The Great Wall Marathon and Half Marathon is an annual marathon race which takes place every year in China. For runners and adventures, this marathon is one of the experiences of a lifetime as they run through 7km of the incredible wall passing through beautiful countryside villages and mountain trails.

For tourists on short stays in China, climbing the great wall from almost any part of northern china is possible, although, many travelers prefer to climb the wall from Beijing because the sections of this part of the wall are very good for sightseeing and have great features. Besides that, it affords them the opportunity to see other historical attractions like the Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, and Tiananmen Square etc.

The most popular sections to visit and climb the great wall in Beijing are the Badaling, Simatai, and Mutianyu sections.

Badaling section of the great wall is located 70 km away from the center of Beijing and is the most popular section to climb the wall in Beijing. It was the first part of the wall to be opened to tourists. History has it that Badaling section was built to protect the Juyongguan Pass, along which the Guan’gou gorge and several interesting sites of interest are located. This section of the Great Wall was made by huge bar stones and paved with square bricks making the wall pavement smoothly ordered. The Badaling section became a national cultural relic and a world heritage listing by United Nations in 1987.

Simatai section in Beijing is a very remote and quiet section on the great wall. The ruins and untouched parts of this section is what helped Simatai section earn its reputation of being the unique section of the wall. There are features retained from over the years which were untouched and looks like what it used to be like over 500 years ago. This section of the wall has about twelve watch towers at different intervals and takes about 2hours to reach the twelfth tower. Simatai section is great for adventure hikers and trekkers.

The Mutianyu section of the Great Wall is located on Huairou County northeast of Beijing. This section of the wall is known for its unique quality of construction and features compared to other sections of the wall. It is known as the main essence of the great wall because of the style which it was built.

In Summary, traveling the great wall is one of the greatest experiences of a lifetime and it is difficult to understand its history until it is visited. It is assumed to be one of the top 100 things to do in this lifetime.

By: Lola Adewoyin
Lola writes about travel and adventure tours for China Tour & China Travels a foreign inbound tour operator in China.

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Planning a tour to China, the largest and oldest country in the world is truly a must for anyone who wants to experience a unique travel adventure. China is known to have an ancient civilization which dates back to some thousand years ago and this is one of the reasons why China has a rich and unique culture full of historical values.

As a popular tourist destination in the Far East, China has a lot of wonderful attractions, sightseeing and historical wonders for the enthusiastic travelers who want to discover the true beauty of China. The best times to visit China is usually during May and September as these periods offer good weather conditions for visiting.

In order to enjoy your travel plans in China, it is advisable to consult the services of a reputable China tour agency. They are responsible for planning your entire trip from the moment you arrive in the airport till the day you depart. They also provide the hotel accommodations and other transportation facilities throughout your stay in China. To make your stay a successful one, they assign a bilingual local tourist guide to assist and guide you through your tours around the country. A fascinating thing about the travel wonders of China is that for every sightseeing and attraction, there is a historical or cultural origin behind it.

Beijing, the country’s capital boasts of over 30 sightseeing and attractions out of which include the famous Great Wall of China, the Forbidden City, the Temple of Heaven, the Summer Palace, the Ming Tombs and a variety of others.

Beijing is usually the first city tourists visit due to their excitement to see the great wall. In general, Beijing is known to be a historical city because of the many monuments and attractions which played a great role in China’s civilization and still remains as it was since over five hundred years.

Yunnan, the international tourist destination is a province in China favorable to many international tourists because of its pleasant climate. Apart from the climatic conditions, Yunnan boasts of a number of cities with scenic and beautiful landscapes which makes for a great place for nature lovers on a getaway from the bustling streets of city. From the spring city of Kunming, to the old town of Lijiang and Dali, Yunnan is the perfect getaway for tourists who want to appreciate the natural endowments of China’s sceneries and landscapes.

A tour to Tibet, the pilgrimage destination of Buddhists can also be included in your tour itinerary during your travel in China. Tibet is considered to be the rooftops of the world because of the high elevation of its geographical location. The tourism of this region has flourished in recent years due to the opening of the Tibet-Qinghai high speed rail which connects Beijing to Lhasa. Amateur fanatics of mythical train journeys can finally have their dreams come true as they speed on top of the world to experience some peace in the Tibetan Kingdom.

Guilin and Yangshuo is the backpacking capital of China. With its special breath taking sceneries and caves, this town has opened the opportunity to mountaineers and backpackers who want to discover the hidden wonders of China.

Shanghai is one of China’s cosmopolitan cities which showcase a blend of modernity and history. The first class skyscrapers and Ming styled architecture of Shanghai buildings is what attract visitors to this bustling city.

Shanghai also known as the “Oriental Paris” is the best place to shop for all kinds of branded shoes, clothes, jewelries and gifts from first class to low quality in almost any type of store. Harbin is the magical ice world of China. Located in the north of China, this region is synonymous for the annual celebration of the Harbin Ice Festival which attracts visitors from all over the world to participate in the magnificent showcase of legendary ice sculptures and carvings. Xian is one of China’s ancient cities where civilization started. It has grown to become an industrial and tourist destination which proudly boasts of the site of the Big Wild Goose Pagoda and the Terracotta Army and Warriors.

China is known to house twenty four heritage sites listed on the UNESCO World Heritage list. These cultural treasures are a part of what contributes to China’s history.

By: Lola Adewoyin
Lola writes about travel and adventure tours for China Tour and Travels a foreign inbound tour operator in China.

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You may ask yourself over and over again, “Is a trip to China worth it?” Well, I have the answers for you. China is a big country with a long history and unique culture; it is one of the most beautiful countries endowed with wonderful and natural sceneries which attract tourists every time of the year. A tour to China can be an educational tour, recreational tour, adventure tour, cultural tour or a religious tour. This depends on your preference and your length of stay, however whichever tour you decide to take, the trip is always worth it.

In order to enjoy your tour around China, it is advisable to engage in the services of a reliable tour operator based in China. Their agents have local guides who are willing to show tourists and visitors the sightseeing and attractions of the beautiful cities.

Since 24 popular scenic spots were listed in the World Heritage List by UNESCO, China has become a world renowned tourism destination. These places are well preserved relics which date back to some hundreds years with a historical and cultural theme. The attractions make for an interesting place to visit on your China tour. The sites as listed by UNESCO include:

1. The Ancient Building Complex in the Wudang Mountains: located in Hubei Province, these buildings represent the highest standards of Chinese art and architecture for over one thousand years.
2. The Ancient City of Ping Yao: this is a well preserved city which presents the way a typical Chinese Han city looks like.
3. Old Town of Xidi and Hongcun: these two traditional cities is a representation of the appearance of the rural settlements transformed during the last century. The styles and architectural designs of the houses in this region symbolize their survival mechanism of the locals.
4. Capital Cities and Tombs of Old Koguryo Kingdom: this site has archaeological remains of the 40 tombs and the three cities – Guonei City, Wandu Mountain City and Wunu Mountain City.
5. The Classical Gardens of Suzhou: the nine gardens in Suzhou showcase the natural landscape of a small historical city. Dating from the 11th to 19th century, the metaphysical significance of the beauty of Chinese culture is seen in the design of this garden.
6. Dazu Rock Carvings: these are magnificent and exceptional rock carvings which date back from the 9th to 13th century. These carvings contribute to the beauty of the landscape of Dazu. They signify the friendly combination of Taoism, Buddhism and Confucianism.
7. Potala Palace, Lhasa: The Potala Palace was the winter palace of the Dalai Lama. This Palace symbolized Tibetan Buddhism and how it influenced the administration of Tibet. The architectural design and beauty of the Potala Palace is what adds to its historical and religious interest.
8. The Imperial Palaces of the Ming and Qing Dynasties: These palaces are located in Beijing and Shenyang. The palace in Shenyang consists of 114 buildings which were constructed in the late 17th century. It has a library which contains important articles which testify to the foundation of the last dynasty of China.
9. Imperial Tombs of the Ming and Qing Dynasties: These tombs feature rich decorations of stone carvings, statutes and tiles with dragon motifs all of which illustrate the development of the architecture during the Qing Dynasty.
10. The Longmen Grottoes: These grottoes contain the largest and most impressive collection of Chinese art from the late Wei and Tang Dynasties. The Longmen grottoes showcase an outstanding manifestation of manmade artistic creativity.
11. Mount Lushan in Jiangxi province is one of the spiritual centers of China’s civilization. The strikingly beautiful landscape has inspired many artists to visit this place where several Buddhist and Taoist temples are found.
12. Mausoleum of the first Qin Emperor: This is located in Xian surrounded by the famous terracotta warriors. These statues remain to be unearthed with the small different figures. The horses, weapons and chariots are masterpieces of great historical interest.
13. The Mogao Caves: These caves are situated along strategic points on the Silk route. This point was an important trade zone during the ancient times. The 492 caves and cells have also contributed to cultural, religious and intellectual influences which are known for their statues and paintings of rich Buddhist arts.
14. Mount Qingcheng and Dujiangyan Irrigation System: The construction of this irrigation system began in the 3rd century. It controls the waters of the Minjiang River and distributes it to the farmlands located in Chengdu plains. Mount Qingcheng was the birthplace of Taoism which boasts of many sacred temples.
15. The Mountain Resorts and its Outlying Temples: This is a vast complex of ceremonial palaces and administrative buildings built into a landscape of pastureland, lakes and lush green forests. The Mountain Resort was the Qing Dynasty’s summer palace built in 1703 and 1792.
16. Lijiang Old Town: This old town has retained its reputation for its historic landscape and commercial center. The old town is set in a dramatic landscape representing the blend of different ethnic cultures to produce a sophisticated landscape of ancient architectures.
17. Peking Man Site at Zhoukoudian: This site lies 42km away from Beijing; still under scientific research, this site led to the discovery of the remains of Sinanthropus pekinensis. This site is an exceptional reminder of the prehistoric human societies who lived in the Asian continent. It makes for an interesting destination for adventure and archaeological scientists.
18. The Summer Palace in Beijing: This site is an imperial garden which was first built in 1750, destroyed by the war in 1860 and then later rebuilt in 1886. The Summer Palace has a natural landscape of hills and open waters and built among man made pavilions and halls which all together make the site a place of value. It is a representation of Chinese landscape garden design.
19. The Temple of Heaven: This is an imperial sacrificial altar in Beijing founded in the mid 15th century. It represents a complex of fine buildings surrounded by pine woods and gardens. According to Chinese cosmology, the overall layout of this temple and its individual buildings symbolizes the relationship between heaven and earth.
20. The Great Wall of China: The construction of this wall was built as a defense system to prevent the invasions from the north. This construction continued till the Ming Dynasty and has remained the largest military structure in the world with rich historical background.
21. Temple and Cememtery of Confucius and the Kong Family Mansion in Qufu.
22. Yin Xu in Hennan Province
23. The Yugang Grottoes in Datung city has about 252 caves and 51,000 statues.
24. Historic Center of Macao
Other natural and mixed sites listed in the World heritage List worth visiting include the Huanglong Scenic and historic area, Jiuzhaigou Valley and Scenic spot, Sichuan Giant Panda sanctuaries, the Three Parallel Rivers of Yunnan protected areas, Wulingyuan Scenic spot, Mt Emei and Leshan Giant Buddha Scenic Spot, Mt.Huangshan, Mt. Taishan and Mt. Wuyi. With this list showing the beautiful and majestic attractions of China, you are rest assured that your trip to China would be worth it after all.

By: Lola Adewoyin
For comments and inquiries about this article, visit Passport to China-Great Wall of China tours.
Lola loves to write about adventure travels and tours in China.
She writes for China Tour and Travels a foreign inbound tour operator in China.

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