Travel Destination: China

China is a place with a lot of history and many things to see. It is the world's third most visited country. In 2010 around 55 million people visited the country of China. It is estimated that these numbers will increase and that China will soon become the number one tourist country in the world. The revenue from tourism in China is estimated to be $185 billion yearly. So what's all the fuss about? What is there to do and see in China? Let's take a look at some of the things that are making China a top travel destination.

The most popular tourist attraction in the country of China is the Great Wall of China. The Great Wall of China is a series of fortifications that is located in northern China. It is really a collection of several walls that have been built since the 5th century BC. It has many different areas tourists can visit and each has their own story. Many tourists feel a trip to China isn't complete without seeing the Great Wall of China.

Another famous tourist attraction in China is the Forbidden City in Beijing. The Forbidden City was an imperial palace from the time of the Ming dynasty all the way to the time of the Qing dynasty. It was constructed from 1406 to 1420 and has brilliant walls and structures. You can truly see some amazing history inside the walls of the Forbidden City.

As if that isn't enough, tourists also can see the famous Shaolin Temple that is located in Henan Province. The temple is famous for being the birthplace of Shaolin Kung Fu and Chinese Zen Buddhism. This glorious temple dates back to 495 A.D. and houses many ancient paintings and murals.

The Terracotta Army is another wonderful sight to see in China. The Terracotta Army is a collection of life-size sculptures dating back to 210 BC that depict the armies of Qin Shi Huang, who was the first emperor of China. They were discovered in 1974 and are located in Xi'an.

There are around 101 cities in China that are classified as historical sites. Many of these 101 cities are over 1,000 years old. These cities can vary greatly in tradition and customs and it is truly a sight to see how people have held on to customs for so long. Many tourists are shocked to see how diverse China really is when they start visiting different areas of the country.

As you can see, China has a lot to offer tourists. What is covered here barely scratches the surface of what you can do and see in China. Once a person goes to visit, they will most likely want to return to see and do more. China is a travel destination that everybody should visit at least once.