FORBIDDEN CITY Beijing, China

Peking, China The Chinese Emperors Palace known, as, The Forbidden City, is located in the heart of Peking.From here the Sons of Heaven ruled the vast Chinese Empire for more than five centuries, although the portrait of Chairman Mao at the Palaces Noon Gate makes the influence of Chinas modern political system apparent to all.The history of the Empire city of which admission to ordinary mortals was denied for centuries is closely associated with the rulers of the Quing and Ming dynasties.The Forbidden City is a perfect ensemble of classical Chinese architecture which to the present day has been well-protected, a responsibility now the domain of the soldiers of the Peoples Republic. Global Treasures - History's Most Protected Monuments - Heritage is our legacy from the past, what we live today, and what we pass on to future generations.Our cultural and natural heritage are both irreplaceable sources of life and inspiration.Places as unique and diverse as the wilds of East Africa's Serengeti, the Pyramids of Egypt, the Great Barrier Reef in Australia and the Baroque cathedrals of Latin America make up our world's heritage.Join us as we explore one of these protected monuments.

Vista Point MACAU China

MACAU

After four hundred and sixty-six years, Portugal handed back the city of Macau to China. It is small and museum-like, a fine example of colonial Portugal on the South China Sea.

The Fortaleza Do Monte is a typical Portuguese fortified complex strategically located on a hill above the old cathedral in the heart of the city. Its many old canon and mighty fortress walls are reminders of those times when invasion was a constant threat.

The old centre of the city is the triangular Largo Do Senado, Senate Square. Its wonderful colonial buildings with their light-coloured facades were built at the end of the 19th century and completely renovated in the final decade of the 20th.

Macau's largest Buddhist temple, Kun Iam Tong, dates back four hundred years to the Ming Dynasty when its original foundations were built. Beyond its main gate just off a busy street in the north of the city, is a peaceful oasis of silence and contemplation, a mystic place in which stone lions, golden Buddhas and all who visit are surrounded by serene, aromatic wisps of smoke.

The beautiful Jardim Lou Lim Ioc Park is situated in the northern, less touristy business district of the city. It was designed in the 19th century by a wealthy Chinese trader, Lou Kau. This marvellous oasis is an idyllic setting with a lotus pond, rocks, grottos and waterfalls.

Excursions are available on restored motorised junks that leave from the City's harbour several times a day.

Taipa is the largest of the two islands that belong to Macau. The tangled and narrow alleys in the centre of Vila Taipa abound with rural character and Portuguese street signs are painted on azulejus. The island's shops and light-coloured houses would be equally at home in Portugal.

Although the Macau of today has much contemporary flair it continues to enjoy a rich colonial inheritance that is well worth seeing.

Nature Wonders YUNNAN SHILIN China

Even though the province of Yunnan in the southwest of China is one of the country's poorest regions, the Stone Forest Of Shilin whose bizarre rock formations rise up to thirty metres into the sky is one of the country's most beautiful natural treasures.

Erosion formed Yunnan's amazing natural works of art while the earth's crust began almost imperceptibly to rise moving the forest's pinnacles higher into the sky.

The Chinese created some extremely descriptive names for the various rocky areas of Yunnan Shilin such as 'The Cluster Of Pinnacles That Supports The Sky', just one of many colourful names given to the rock formations.

Global Treasures SUZHOU China

The famous discoverer Marco Polo called the Chinese city of Suzhou, 'The Venice of the East'. But Suzhou is more famous for its gardens Beautiful bridges span across the canals while run down houses indicate the meagre financial resources of their inhabitants. The city's more impressive and elegant buildings date back to its long and glorious past, such as the town gate and Pan Men Wall.

The Garden Of Politics For The Simple Man is one of the four most popular gardens in China and was designed according to the wishes of an important mandarin between the years 1522 and 1566. The Garden Of The Master Of The Nets is somewhat smaller, nevertheless it is considered to be a gem of Chinese garden design that dates back to the 12th century.

Founded by Abbot Xu Taishi in the 16th century, The Garden Of Rest is also one of the country's most beautiful gardens.

The Chinese garden is full of complex history and art that manifests itself as a sanctuary of simple harmony and peace and nowhere is this more true than in the gardens of Suzhou.

Global Treasures - History's Most Protected Monuments - Heritage is our legacy from the past, what we live today, and what we pass on to future generations. our cultural and natural heritage are both irreplaceable sources of life and inspiration. Places as unique and diverse as the wilds of East Africa's Serengeti, the Pyramids of Egypt, the Great Barrier Reef in Australia and the Baroque cathedrals of Latin America make up our world's heritage. Join us as we explore one of these protected monuments.

The Great Wall of China

The Great Wall of China, a combination of many walls, extends for 1,500 miles and winds across Northern China from Gansu Province to Hebei Province on the Yellow Sea and was constructed as a defence against the northern nomads.

Although it was to be of little military significance, the Great Wall is a monument to human Endeavour and relentless achievement, a meandering Man made structure that seems to connect all of Chinas endless horizons.

Some of its towers served as the soldiers living quarters and also played an essential role in communicating messages.The advance of hostile troops was signaled with large fires and cannon shot and any relevant military information was then communicated from tower to tower until it reached a fortress close to the capital of Beijing.

Global Treasures ZHOU ZHUANG The Venice of the East China

A few kilometres from the modern, pulsating and gigantic metropolis of Shanghai there is an idyllic mediaeval village, Zhou Zhuang, that is believed to have been the first 'water village' in China. However, it was not until the middle of the 1980s that the picturesque village was added to the tourist map and since then its splendid old buildings and canals have been recognised as a truly magnificent treasure.

The origin and founding of Zhou Zhuang dates back around nine hundred years. Due to its unique location the town has escaped war and plunder as only the local inhabitants knew their way around the labyrinth-like canals that once led into the small town. Free from battle and invasion it has managed to retain its age old Chinese charm right up until the present day.

One of the most elegant monuments in Zhou Zhuang is located in the southern area of the town, the beautifully decorated and lovingly restored Quanfu Temple. A haven of peace and tranquillity that encapsulates the serene way of life of this captivating place.

Global Treasures - History's Most Protected Monuments - Heritage is our legacy from the past, what we live today, and what we pass on to future generations. our cultural and natural heritage are both irreplaceable sources of life and inspiration. Places as unique and diverse as the wilds of East Africa's Serengeti, the Pyramids of Egypt, the Great Barrier Reef in Australia and the Baroque cathedrals of Latin America make up our world's heritage. Join us as we explore one of these protected monuments

Suzhou China

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Terra Mystica CHINESE WALL China

CHINESE WALL

The Great Wall of China, a combination of many walls, extends for 1,500 miles and winds across Northern China from Gansu Province to Hebei Province on the Yellow Sea and was constructed as a defence against the northern nomads.

Although it was to be of little military significance, the Great Wall is a monument to human endeavour and relentless achievement, a meandering Man made structure that seems to connect all of China's endless horizons and cloak them in the mystique of an unseen invader struggling to overcome an invisible force in a land of inscrutable colour, diversity, culture and very real militaristic might.

Vista Point YUNNAN China

YUNNAN

Kunming is located in the Chinese province of Yunnan in south west China.

The Buddhist temple of Ykan Ton Si dates back to the Tang Dynasty. The design of the city's largest temple complex was influenced by many diverse ethnic groups. The highlight of the complex is a lake in the middle of which a number of bridges lead to an octagonal pavilion. The Temple Of Total Penetration (yes, that's it's name!) is a tranquil and peaceful haven amid the busy alleys of Kunming's old town.

In the west of Yunnan Province there are magnificent views from Xi Shan Mountain across Dian Lake and nestling among the rocks there are numerous temples that were once the scene of ritual sacrifice. On the downward journey the temples loom larger and larger while earthenware images of Buddha depict various stages of life.

Yunnan's most famous site is the unique Stone Forest of Shi Lin. Its limestone rock originated from a long since dried--up ocean when the elements set to work on creating its fantastic and bizarre forms. The most amazing formations were given dramatic names such as The Sea Of Fire, Dragon's Tooth and Heavenly Sword. Pagodas, columns and strange flowers appear to rise from the rock and to facilitate access, tunnels and paths have been cut into the rock face.

The Venice Of The Far East is the nickname of the ancient Chinese city of Lijiang in the northwest of Yunnan Province. The picturesque centre of the old town of Dayan is an architectural gem. Three rivers and several small creeks flow through the historic cit and there are various splendid stone bridges date back to the Ming and Qing Dynasties.

Buy Shan is a typical village of the region. Just as it was hundreds of years ago with farmers slowly leading their ox wagons through the village. The houses were built over a period of more than two hundred year between the Ming and Qing Dynasties in 14 and 16 A.D.

Yunnan Province - place of simplicity, exquisite culture and spectacular natural wonders!

LIJIANG RIVER CHINA

This is part of a series, Planet Terra, which when licensed allows you to add your own custom narration to meet you specific marketing needs. Contact us at TravelVideoStore.com for more details about licensing this episode or any of the 365 other episodes to destinations around the world.