Global Treasures - LIJIANG - Yunnan - China

Lijiang

Known as the Venice of the Far East, Lijiang is an historic old Chinese town in the northwest province of Yunnan. It was the centre of the Naxi, a Tibetan-Tobirmanic nation that had an impressive and unique culture.

Dayan, Lijiangs old town, contains an intriguing variety of canals and waterways. It developed at the beginning of the 12th century, during the Late Song epoch.

The picturesque centre of the old town of Dayan is an architectural jewel. Numerous streams and three rivers flow through the historic part of the town and there are several beautiful stone bridges that date back to the time of both the Ming and Qing dynasties.

For over 470 wonderful years of the Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties each of the Naxi rulers came from the Mu family and for more than 22 generations life in and around Lijiang was led by this family until in 1723 the Qing Dynasty appointed a new government, thus the Mu era came to an end.

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.

Global Treasures - YIHE YUAN - Summer Palace - Peking - China

YIHE YUAN

The former summer palace of the Late Empire Dynasty of Yihe Yuan is located among the northwestern outskirts of the Chinese capital of Peking.It is also known as The Garden of Harmonious Pleasures.

However, a number of buildings have managed to survive the ravages of time. In1860 the Opium Wars reached the summer palace of Yihe Yuan. Western colonial troupes devastated the Chinese Garden and destroyed numerous buildings. Reconstruction of the pavilion was due to the Emperors widow, Cixi. After the death of her husband, Ianfeng, in 1861, the empress took control of the empire and subsequently ordered the restoration of the buildings that were destroyed during the Opium Wars.

The dominant Longevity Hill, known as Wanshou Shan, is crowned by a 41 metre high pavilion, The Tower Of Buddhist Virtue that was built in 1750.

For many years a cruise on Kunming Lake has not been reserved solely for the former family of the emperor as it is now frequented by tourists from around the world. The widows favourite haunt was the Marble Boat from which she enjoyed the magnificent view across the lake. In spite of past military destruction, the natural beauty of the elegant gardens of the Yihe Yuan Palace has been extremely well preserved.

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.

TIAN TAN Temple of Heaven Peking, China

Magnificent roofs and archways decorate the impressive entrance of the Temple of Tian Tan in Chinas capital, Beijing.

Tian Tan Park covers an area of around 270 hectares and is one of the largest temple grounds in China.The temple was built toward the beginning of the 15th century by the Ming Emperor, Yongle, and was originally used for the worship of Heaven and Earth.The splendid architecture and design of the buildings demonstrates the former social importance of the temple during the time of the Ming Dynasty.

The striking roofs of the Hall Of Harvest Sacrifice are covered with almost 50,000 shining blue glazed tiles that symbolize both sky and heaven and its interior extends to a height of 38m.with four majestic columns supporting the uppermost roof, each one representing the four seasons.

During the magical moments of twilight, the ancient Chinese belief that the holy temple of Tian Tan is the one place nearest to heaven, certainly begins to make sense.As the sun touches the towers, roofs and animal imagery of the temple, it creates a magnificent portrait plus an array of beautiful architectural silhouettes.

Right up to this day, the temple of TIAN TAN is a magnificent symbol of unity between Heaven and Earth.

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.

Great Wall of China

5 minute video on the Great Wall of 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.

KUNMING CHINA

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Macau China

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SHANGHAI CHINA

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Beijing, China

5 minute video of Beijing. 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.

7 Days CHINA

China's Imperial City is located in the centre of its ancient Middle Kingdom, a gigantic and inscrutable empire beyond the Great Wall. The Imperial City is entered through the Gates of Heavenly Peace. After seven years of construction, Ming Emperor Zhu Di moved into his newly-established palace complex in which over eight thousand people lived in almost a thousand rooms. The palace served as both a residential and governmental seat to the emperors of the Ming and Qing Dynasties. A stone's throw away from the old Summer Palace is the Garden of Harmonious Unity that was the favourite garden of the Emperor's household who retreated to its cool lakeside shores during the humid months of summer. Close to Badaling the Great Wall Of China extends majestically across misty mountains. It is the largest Man-made structure in the world and was erected to protect the country from invasion from the North. The gigantic wall represented the division of two very different cultures. On one side the Central Asian Nomads and on the other the highly developed civilisation of the emerging Chinese Empire. Shanghai is a Gigantic City and a meeting point of both east and west. The shoreline is without a doubt the city's main focal point and is a combination of past, present and future and contains the historic monuments and eye catching buildings of a great city. Famous explorer Marco Polo referred to Suzhou as the 'Venice of the East', a city that is particularly famous for its gardens. Many of its extremely elegant buildings are remnants of a glorious past. Yunnan´s most famous site is the unique Stone Forest Of Shi Lin, a forest of rock that extends for 27,000 hectares. Hong Kong is a city of the superlative with glimmering skyscrapers that seem to take root in the sky and one elegant building after another with shining glass and hi-tech facades. China is a world within a world!