China, Asia (Point of interest)

The modern Shanghai Municipal History Museum on the Pudong tells the story of Shanghai until the takeover in 1949. See models of Shanghai's classic avenues and famous buildings and trolley cars dating back to 1908.... Continue reading →

The Shanghai Museum on People's Square is one of the city's must-sees. More than 120,000 exhibits show Chinese history from the Neolithic Age to the present. The collections of jade, calligraphy, sculptures and coins are among the best in China. I... Continue reading →

The enormous futuristic space of the Shanghai Science and Technology Museum in Pudong contains 12 exhibition areas, all with interactive displays including laser musical instruments. As well as an IMAX 3D cinema, there's a '4D' cinema, where seats ... Continue reading →

Few people know about this relaxing and surreal haven in the western tip of the French Concession quarter. The green parkland is dotted with giant contemporary sculptures such as Transformers robots, giant legs and a mechanical bull.... Continue reading →

Even weary expatriates get excited by the giant scale model of how Shanghai will look in 2020, the biggest of its kind in the world. The Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Centre on People's Square showcases Shanghai's development through models an... Continue reading →

Galleries, artists' studios, design companies, restaurants and bars proliferate in the trendy 798 District. Ideal for investigating Beijing's most promising artists, the district is the site of a cluster of state-owned factories, including Factory ... Continue reading →

Beijing's Ancient Observatory is one of the astronomical wonders of the world. It is also home to two ancient carved maps and 150 types of calendar calculators and clocks, including water clocks, reflecting humanity's interest in the passing of tim... Continue reading →

Over 1000 years old, Beijing's Beihai Park is an imperial garden that's home to pavilions and the tiled Nine-Dragon Screen Wall. Explore the park's vast lake by boat and head into the central island to visit the famed White Dagoba.... Continue reading →

Visitors sometimes think that seeing 'waxy Mao', who was embalmed against his own wishes, will be a kitsch experience. Whatever your thoughts on the great helmsman, there's still an atmosphere of serious reverence surrounding Chairman Mao's Mausole... Continue reading →

This striking north Beijing attraction features 55 village gardens designed in the folk styles of 55 Chinese ethnic groups. Performances are held nearly every day and there are regular festivals, like the Dai people's Water-Splashing Festival in Ju... Continue reading →

This vast collection of galleries and cafés in the Chaoyang district is well worth the long taxi ride. In a Soviet-designed former weapons factory, Factory 798 is the centre of China's modern art scene. Purchase a map when you arrive.... Continue reading →

Every morning, China's flag is raised above Tian'anmen Square in two minutes and seven seconds, the time it takes the sun to rise above the horizon. The poles around the flag's base represent the 56 ethnic groups living in China.... Continue reading →

Despite occasional scaffolding, the central Forbidden City is still China's most important, and arguably spectacular, tourist sight. It's vast and today houses the Palace Museum. Visit the artefact-filled East and West Galleries and the Treasure Ga... Continue reading →

The French Concession was the district controlled by French colonial officials and is today a paradise for shopaholics. Look up at the French colonial architecture, drop into the many cafés and restaurants and take a turn around Fuxing Park.... Continue reading →

The largest man-made construction ever built, parts of the ancient majesty of the Great Wall of China date back to the 7th century BC. Badaling is the closest part of the wall to Beijing and convenient for a short trip. Sections of the wall were a... Continue reading →

Beijing's fast-disappearing hutongs - tight, labyrinth alleyways lined with courtyard houses - are a must-see. Take a Hutong Tour by pedicab from Houhai Lake in Dongcheng around some of Beijing's most beautiful remaining houses. Hutongs developed ... Continue reading →

The ornate Jade Buddha Temple houses two Buddhas, the most famous being 1.9 metres in height and carved out of pale jade. In the Reclining Buddha Hall lies the second. Catch the monks performing a daytime ceremony.... Continue reading →

Pudong's Jin Mao Tower in Lujiazui may have lost its place as Shanghai's tallest building to the Shanghai World Financial Center but the view from the 88th floor remains the best. Enjoy cocktails at the 87th-floor Cloud 9 bar. At a dizzying 420 me... Continue reading →

Jingshan Park is situated directly behind the Forbidden City and is a good place to visit after seeing the sights on Tian'anmen Square. The views of the old city and the surrounding areas from here are the best in Beijing. The park was created in ... Continue reading →

This tranquil venue in Houhai began as an imperial lamasery for the 'yellow hat' Lama sect of Buddhism. Around 70 monks still reside at Lama Temple. The Wanfu pavilion houses the world's largest carving from a single piece of wood.... Continue reading →