Since the writings of Marco Polo introduced the world to China more than 700 years ago, the country has been considered the embodiment of all that’s exotic and mysterious. Even today after decades of growth, the country has managed to maintain its appeal. This country truly offers something for every type of travellers. Here are our top picks.

1. No Visit Is Complete Without Seeing The Great Wall

Extraordinary Great Wall of China, or Changcheng as it’s known in Chinese, stretches for more than 6,000 kilometers from Jiayuguan in the west to Shanhaiguan in the east. Passing through Beijing, Tientsin and Hebei, Gansu, Inner Mongolia and Ningxia. The wall is about eight meters high but rises as high as 16 meters in places.

2. The Imperial Palace and Forbidden City, Beijing

It is the most vital and largest building in China and can be found right in the heart of Beijing. The Imperial Palace first started between 1271-1368 during the Yuan Dynasty. Much of what tourists can see today was built between 1406 – 1420 as the home of 24 Ming and Qing emperors. The Forbidden City spans 720,000 square meters and is surrounded by a 10 meter high wall complete with a moat and watchtowers.

3. Terracotta Army

Ideal for travelers who want a less structured trip, a visit to the country’s most vital archaeological discoveries is a must. The Terracotta Army spanned three large underground pits and had been built to guard the First Emperor’s tomb. Here you’ll find more than 7,500 life-size warriors, more than 500 horses and even 100 chariots.

4. Cruise on the Li River

If you want to explore some of the country’s most lovely countryside, head to Guilin, just northeast of Guanxi. This area is famous for the crystalline river that flows through the city. This is a popular area with tourists who want to see such grandeur up close and take a boat trip along the river.

5. The Three Gorges and the Yangtze River

Known locally as the “Long River”, the Yangtze extends for more than 6,000 kilometers, making it the most vital and longest river in all of China, and the third longest in the world. The river flows from Tibet to Shanghai in the east. There are several sightseeing options available, from river cruises to adventure tours and trips to historical sites.

6. Suzhou Classical Gardens

One of the world’s most historic parks and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this park should be at the top of your itinerary. The town itself is historic and the park was founded in 11^th century when the city experienced exhilarating growth. The Garden of Lingering is worth visiting for the seven-acre site initially created in the 1800s by the Ming Dynasty. The garden further boasts some amazing buildings, a pond, a grove of peach trees, a man-made hill, and a surprising walkway in the wall with more than three hundred stone tables which have been carved with historical Chinese icons.

Don’t forget to visit these places when you’re in China. You won’t ever regret it.