States, Provinces, Capitals, and Countries

Brushing up on your knowledge of capital cities, states, provinces, and countries is always a good idea to maintain your geographic literacy and knowledge of geography facts. With that in mind, here are a few links to some articles about states, provinces, capitals, and countries, of various regions of the world:

• How to Know the U.S. States and Capitals
• How to Know Canada's Provinces and Provincial Capitals
• How to Know China's Provinces and Provincial Capitals
• How to Know the Subdivisions of the United Kingdom and Their Capitals
• How to Know Mexico's States and Capitals
• How to Know South America's Countries and Capitals
• How to Know Central America's Countries and Capitals
• How to Know the Caribbean's Countries, Territories, and Capitals

Globetrotting Cities of the World

By Tom Takihi

How much of a globetrotter are you? Guess this city? Hint: This city is an eclectic mix of old and new, East and West. It is a bustling metropolis and an epicurean paradise. Formerly, Constantinople, it is the only city in the world that bridges two continents – Asia and Europe. It is the largest city in the predominantly Islamic country of Turkey. Answer: Istanbul.

There is nothing like discovering or learning about a city and losing yourself in its irresistible pull. There is thrill in connecting with different cities and in the process having a better grasp of humanity, history, culture, geography of the world. We are in the threshold of a new millennium. With it comes globalization- a world without borders. This reality plus hunger for knowledge has served as a catalyst for people to venture forth and acquaint themselves with the cities of the world. Come let’s take a sneak peak at some of these great cities. Let’s discover diverse worlds as we tread from one city (familiar or newfound) to the next and be entranced.

Few places in the world have a bigger number of familiar landmarks than London. Whether it is Big Ben, the Tower of London, Buckingham palace, #10 Downing Street or Harrods, the sights of London are legendary. London thrives as a collection of vibrant and distinct communities. There is West Hampstead, Kilburn with its Irish heritage, Hampstead Heath (a vast park in North London) and Soho Square. Take a virtual tour of London canals and discover a floating community of houseboats.

Paris is the City of Romance. Meander through the cloistered streets of Montmartre. Be awed by modern art and “hi-tech” architecture such as the Beaubourg Centre, the cultural heart of Modern Paris. This blending of old and new architectural styles adds up to the many reasons why most everyone ultimately falls in love with Paris.

New York is a city that never sleeps. Climb up the Empire State Building. Pass by the Chelsea galleries. Experience the sights and sounds of Brooklyn nightclubs. Take your fill of Broadway shows. Immerse yourself in the museums of New York. Truly, it is the 21st century city.

Reach for the sky. Hongkong’s skyline is one of the most famous in the world. Take a tram ride up Victoria Peak and get a glimpse of the spectacular view of the territory. Savor culinary delights honed to perfection. And take out your credit cards and splurge. Hongkong is a shopping paradise.

Chiang Mai is paradise revisited. Just an hour’s ride from Bangkok, Chiang Mai has charm, mountains, and greenery. Join in the festival of Songkran (New Year water festival) and the Loi Kratong (candle festival). Along with the showers of water and the twinkling kites that light the night sky, the city comes alive and molds the old with the new, eliciting a sense of nostalgia. Finally pay homage in the temples in Chiang Mai. Bask in the cooler climes of Chiang Mai. It can’t get any better.

Dubai is a world on its own. It is a giant-sized playground for the whole family. It is the second largest of the seven states making up the United Arab Emirates. Luxury villas, theme parks and skyscrapers dot the desert and the coast. However, Dubai is not all glitz and glamour. For a glimpse of its past, visit Deira district – narrow alleyways, nondescript buildings, jewelry shops and spice souk and breathe in a variety of aromatic spices. Try skiing at the Ski Dubai, the first indoor ski resort in the Middle East. Dubailand is set to open. Suffice to say Dubai is giving Las Vegas a run for its money.

And the list goes on… Unraveling the myriad cities of the world may take a lifetime but take the first step, you’ll never regret it. Travel, read or surf, take your pick. Keep discovering… Keep learning.

About the Author: Tom Takihi is the proud owner of the Discovery Network. For more information on this topic, please visit the dedicated portal: http://www.DiscoverWorldCities.info

Source: www.isnare.com

Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=62802&ca=Travel

Largest Cities in the World

One thing I would like to do in this blog is to occasionally post and comment on themed lists of various items related to world geography. So, to start things off in this post, the first of a series of "list" posts, I would like to list and discuss the largest cities in the world. But, when forming such a list, particularly pertaining to a geographic feature such as a city, one must ask what criteria will we take into account when classifying cities on the list. Do we just count the city itself (the city proper), the urbanized area, or the metropolitan area? Or perhaps we should form a separate list for each of those items. Various cities would most likely then appear at different points on the list. But for this post, I will list the twenty largest metropolitan areas by population (I also may come back to the post and add more lists based on different criteria as well). So, without further adieu, here we go:

Tokyo, Japan, with Mt. Fuji

Earth's twenty largest metropolitan areas by population (based on 2003 population data):
1. Tokyo, Japan - 32,450,000
2. Seoul, South Korea - 20,550,000
3. Mexico City, Mexico - 20,450,000
4. New York City, United States - 19,750,000
5. Mumbai (Bombay), India - 19,200,000
6. Jakarta, Indonesia - 18,900,000
7. Sao Paulo, Brazil - 18,850,000
8. Delhi, India - 18,600,000
9. Osaka-Kobe-Kyoto, Japan - 17,375,000
10. Shanghai, China - 16,650,000
11. Metro Manila, Philippines - 16,300,000
12. Hong Kong/Shenzhen, China - 15,800,000
13. Los Angeles, United States - 15,250,000
14. Kolkata (Calcutta), India - 15,100,000
15. Moscow, Russia - 15,000,000
16. Cairo, Egypt - 14,450,000
17. Buenos Aires, Argentina - 13,170,000
18. London, United Kingdom - 12,875,000
19. Beijing, China - 12,500,000
20. Karachi, Pakistan - 11,800,000

Sao Paulo, Brazil

London, England

While I'm on a role about world cities, I though I would go ahead and write about one more. So here is the third of a series of posts about famous world cities. In this case, London, England, capital of the United Kingdom. London is another city I have been fortunate to travel to many times over the years, and one in which I always look forward to returning. London is probably one of the most famous cities in the world. It has a very long history, from being a Roman backwater to the nerve center of one of the largest empires in history (British Empire), and today remains one of the control centers of the global economy. Geographers of all types, like most places we visit, will become very excited upon a visit to London. There is just so much to see and do here. Geographers who look at the world through one or more of the five themes of geography (see a previous post) will undoubtedly find much to examine and observe in London.

But if you are reading this and have never been to London before, but might like to plan a trip there in the future, you might be interested to know about the most famous sights. With this in mind, I'll post here an article I previously wrote for another website - "How to See London's Top Ten Attractions". The original article is found here:
How to See London's Top Ten Attractions


London contains a myriad of things to see and do, some world famous, others waiting to be discovered. But many would agree that there are certain sites that come to mind when one thinks of London. This article briefly describes sites that many would consider to be the top 10 attractions in London (but discussed in no particular order).

London Top Ten #1: British Museum - A museum of world history and culture housed in a monumental structure. It contains over six million artifacts from around the world spanning over a million years of history, including the Rosetta Stone, Elgin Marbles, and other famous antiquities.


London Top Ten #2: National Gallery and Portrait Gallery - The National Gallery houses one of the greatest art collections in the world, including over 2,000 items from the early Renaissance to the Impressionists. On display are items representing all the European schools of painting and works by all the famous artists from those styles. The National Gallery is adjacent to Trafalger Square and St. Martin in the Fields Church. The Portrait Gallery opened in 1856 and allows visitors to actually see the faces of many famous and well-known names. Popular portraits include: British Royalty, Shakespeare, The Beatles, and Margaret Thatcher.


London Top Ten #3: London Eye - This is the tallest observation wheel in the world. It sits along the Thames across from the Houses of Parliament and allows spectacular views all around London from one of its 32 enclosed capsules that each hold 25 people. One complete revolution takes 30 minutes.


London Top Ten #4: Tate Modern Museum - This museum houses an extensive collection of international modern art and is affiliated with the Tate Britain Museum. It is housed within the old Bankside Power Station, along the Thames across from the City of London and St. Paul's Cathedral. Famous works on display include exhibits by Dali, Picasso, Matisse, Rothko, and Warhol, as well as many current artists.


London Top Ten #5: Natural History Museum - One of London's most popular museums. The many exhibits in this large structure lead visitors through the array of subjects relating to natural history, with as many as 70 million specimens from around the world. Exhibits include dinosaurs, fossils, geology, earthquakes and volcanoes, a journey through the globe, the water cycle, biology, gemstones, origin of species, and much more. There are also many interactive and hands-on exhibits.


London Top Ten #6: Science Museum - This hi-tech museum contains many exhibits relating to many facets of science and technology, as well as the development of scientific and technological innovations throughout the centuries. Particular subjects covered in the exhibits include the industrial revolution, the space age, and the latest cutting edge technology. Many of the exhibits are hands-on and interactive.


London Top Ten #7: Buckingham Palace and Changing of the Guard - This is the most famous residence in London and home to Queen Elizabeth II. It was first built in 1705, and extended between 1824 and 1830. Queen Victoria took up residence here in 1837. The recognizable front of the building was completed in 1913. Although this is the Queen's primary residence, some of the State Rooms are open to visitors during the summer. Many people time their visit to the palace in the mid to late morning to coincide with the changing of the guard. The guards dressed in the familiar regalia march to the palace from nearby barracks.


London Top Ten #8: Westminster Abbey and Houses of Parliament - This structure was founded in the 11th century by Edward the Confessor and is an excellent example of Medieval architecture. It continues to provide a place for royal ceremony to this day. The abbey on the south side of Parliament Square, adjacent to the Houses of Parliament. Two famous events to be held here in the last half century include Queen Elizabeth II's coronation in 1953 and the memorial service for Princess Diana in 1997. Of popular interest by many visitors is that many famous royals, poets, writers, statesmen, and scientists are buried within the abbey. The Houses of Parliament are within the Palace of Westminster, along the banks of the Thames. The palace was built over a thousand years ago and is currently the seat of government for the United Kingdom. The palace, including the famous "Big Ben" clock tower, are located across Parliament Square from Westminster Abbey. Nearby Parliament Street leads to Whitehall (where many government offices are located) and Number 10 Downing Street (the official residence of the Prime Minister).


London Top Ten #9: Tower of London - Originally built around 1080 as a moated fort, the Tower of London (with its famous White Tower in the middle) has had quite a varied history. It has also been a fortress, a prison (where certain people were beheaded - famous prisoners include Henry VI, Henry VIII's wives, Lady Jane Grey, and Catholic Martyrs), an arsenal, and is now home to the Crown Jewels (including the Imperial State Crown and other crowns, sceptres, rings, orbs, and jewels), the Royal Mint, and a large collection of armor related artifacts. It is located along the Thames nearby the Tower Bridge.


London Top Ten #10: St. Paul's Cathedral - Considered to be the masterpiece of Sir Christopher Wren (who designed many churches after London's Great Fire of 1666). St. Paul's was completed in 1708, was the first church built for Protestant purposes in England, and has many similarities to St. Peter's in Rome. There are many areas within the cathedral for visitors to explore, including stairs to various galleries and even to the very top of the dome (one of the largest in the world) for a spectacular view of London. Many events, particularly of music, continue to take place in the cathedral.


Original article by Paul McDaniel is found here: How to See London's Top Ten Attractions

Mexico City, Mexico

Now that I've gotten started talking about one city (Beijing - see previous post), I feel inclined to go ahead and discuss another - in this case, Mexico City (la Ciudad de Mexico). I've been able to travel to Mexico City several times over the past few years, and its always an exciting experience! The view from the plane window during the descent into the city is quite spectacular as the city stretches out over the Valley of Mexico surrounded by volcanic peaks. Mexico City is one of the largest cities and metropolitan areas in the world. It sits in the Valley of Mexico (at over 7,000 ft. elevation) surrounded by mountains and volcanic peaks (the two most prominent are Popocatepetl and Iztaccihuatl). Human geographers (particularly urban, cultural, and population geographers) and physical geographers both will find much to get excited about here. Most great cities are great because of many different factors. Mexico City is no exception. As the old historic center (el Centro Historico) of Mexico City sits on the same site as the Aztec capital of Tenochtitlan, the city is abundant with history (both pre-Columbian as well as colonial), and archaeological sites. There is an excellent and efficient subway/metro city to get around the city. It is very easy to use this system to explore various parts of this vast metropolis.

As with the previous post about Beijing, I will now contribute a part of an article about Mexico City that I previously wrote for another website. The original article, "How to See Mexico City's Top Ten Attractions", is located at this site:
How to See Mexico City's Top Ten Attractions


Mexico City is one of the most populous cities in the world. It is also very historic, with many sites from different time periods accessible by visitors. Because of its vast size, tourists may have a hard time deciding on what sites to visit. This article will describe what many consider to be the top 10 attractions (listed in no particular order) in and around Mexico City.

Mexico City Top Ten #1: Plaza de la Constitucion (Zocalo) - This is literally the heart of the city and the heart of the nation's capital. Located in el Centro Historico (Historic Center), this plaza is the second largest public square in the world (Moscow's Red Square is the largest, and Beijing's Tiananmen Square is third largest). At the center of the plaza is a tall pole with a huge national flag of Mexico. As this is the heart of the city, there is always something going on here. From indigenous dances and cultural events, to music concerts and political protests. There are always souvenirs being sold as well. The Plaza, located on a Metro stop, is also surrounded by several other of the city's top ten sights: the Catedral Metropolitana, Palacio Nacional, and Templo Mayor. It is also within walking distance of the Palacio de Bellas Artes, el Torre Latinoamericana, and Alameda Park.


Mexico City Top Ten #2: Catedral Metropolitana (Metropolitan Cathedral) - This is one of the largest cathedrals in the city and contains several architectural styles as it was built over a period of around 250 years. It is located on the north side of the Plaza de la Constitucion. Many of the materials used to construct the cathedral came from the destroyed Aztec temple that stood on the same site. Due to the nature of Mexico City's soil, the cathedral is slowly sinking (as are many historic structures). If you take a stroll through the cathedral's vast interior, you will see many religious displays and examples of architecture. If you are lucky you may also here the massive pipe organ or the cathedral bells.


Mexico City Top Ten #3: Palacio Nacional (National Palace) - Located on the entire east side of the main plaza, this government building is most famous for housing several Diego Rivera murals.


Mexico City Top Ten #4: Templo Mayor (Great Temple) - These are the archaeological ruins of the Aztec Templo Mayor, which was dedicated to the Aztec gods of Tlaloc (god of rain) and Huitzilopochtli (god of war). This was the primary temple and focal point of the great center of the Aztec capital of Tenochtitlan, which at the time was located in the same location but on a series of islands on Lake Texcoco. Many of the temple's materials were used by the Spanish to construct the adjacent Catedral Metropolitana.


Mexico City Top Ten #5: Palacio de Bellas Artes (Palace of Fine Arts), Torre Latinoamericana (Latin American Tower), and Alameda Park - The Palacio de Bellas Artes was completed in 1934 and is one of the city's finest theaters and performance venues. The interior contains several murals by Rivera, Orozco, Siqueiros, and Tamayo. Visitors to Mexico City often enjoy a performance of the Ballet Folklorico at this venue. Adjacent to the Fine Arts Palace is the Torre Latinoamericana, completed in 1956 with 44 floors. At the time it was built this was the tallest building in Latin America. Visitors may pay to ride an elevator to an upper level observation deck (with an interior and exterior) for 360 degree views of sprawling Mexico City, the Valley of Mexico, and the surrounding mountains and volcanoes (on clear days). Look directly down to the east to see the Plaza de la Constitucion, Metropolitan Cathedral, and National Palace. Look to the southwest to see Chapultepec Park. Nearby the Tower and the Fine Arts Palace is Alameda Park, which was the city's first park, dating to the 1500s.


Mexico City Top Ten #6: Bosque de Chapultepec (Chapultepec Park) - Located at the southwestern end of Paseo de la Reforma, this is the city's largest and most sprawling park (1,600 acres). Many pathways lead visitors through acres and acres of forests and lakes. Chapultepec Castle is located on a hill in the park and was once the home of Maximilian I and Empress Carlota, and is now open to visitors and home to the National History Museum. There are excellent views of Paseo de la Reforma and the Park from the Castle's various balconies. Also located in the park is a zoo, a lake with boat rentals, an amusement park, Los Pinos (the official residence and offices of the President of Mexico), the National Auditorium, and several other museums, including the Modern Art Museum, Natural History Museum, Children's Museum, and the excellent and massive National Museum of Anthropology.


Mexico City Top Ten #7: Museo Nacional de Antropologia (National Museum of Anthropology) - Considered to be one of the great museums of the world, the Museo Nacional de Antropologia contains perhaps the world's largest collection of pre-Columbian artifacts and art. The museum is massive and is arranged according to each of the particular pre-Columbian cultures, with entire halls and galleries dedicated to each. The central courtyard is famous for its vast square concrete umbrella. Popular exhibit halls include those dedicated to the Olmec, Maya, and Aztec civilizations.


Mexico City Top Ten #8: Xochimilco - Located in the southern part of the city, these are the last remnants of the series of lakes that once were here in the time of the Aztecs. The area now contains a series of canals, where visitors may take rides on brightly colored gondolas. The canals are all that is left of the Chinampas (floating gardens) type of agriculture developed by the Aztecs.


Mexico City Top Ten #9: Basílica de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe (Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe) - Guadalupe is the patron saint of Mexico. The image of Guadalupe that appeared to Juan Diego on the very hill (Tepeyac Hill) where the Basilica is constructed is an important and easily recognizable national symbol. There are actually two basilicas on this hill, an old and a new (more modern) one. Construction of the old basilica began in 1531, and of the new in 1976. The apron of Juan Diego, with the image of Guadalupe is displayed for all to see in the new Basilica. It is most likely the most important religious building in Mexico and possibly in all of Latin America. The site is particularly important in Catholicism as it is the second most visited religious site after Vatican City.


Mexico City Top Ten #10: Teotihuacan - This pre-Aztec archaeological site is a nice day trip from Mexico City (about 25 miles out from the city). It is one of the largest archaeological sites in the country and at its cultural height (150 to 450 AD) was the largest city in the world with a population of over 200,000. The site contains two large pyramids - Pyramid of the Sun and Pyramid of the Moom - and many smaller pyramids flanking the Avenida de los Muertos (Avenue of the Dead). The Temple of Quetzalcoatl is also worth seeing. Visitors may climb to the top of the two large pyramids for spectacular views of the entire site and the surrounding countryside and mountains.


Original article by Paul McDaniel located at:
How to See Mexico City's Top Ten Attractions

Beijing, China

One of the purposes of this blog is to discuss particular places. With this in mind, and knowing that the Summer Olympics are coming up soon (8 August 2008) in Beijing, in the People's Republic of China, I thought it would be interesting to add a post here about Beijing. I traveled to Beijing last September (2007) to visit one of my brothers who was studying Chinese there at the time. The visit to Beijing was part of a broader trip that also took us to Shanghai, Tunxi, and beautiful Huangshan.

Beijing (along with many other parts of China) is an interesting city for a geographer to visit for a variety of reasons. First and foremost, it is growing at a tremendous rate (as are many cities and areas of China). Beijing also has a very long history and a huge presence in the Chinese national psyche. Urban geographers will have a fun time here, as will population geographers. The transit and road infrastructure is notable because of Beijing's many "ring" roads. Beijing's impact on the environment, and the environment's impact on Beijing are also two interesting points to consider. Beijing is in fact located at the southeastern edge of the massive Gobi Desert, which is why sandstorms often frequent the area. Although the city of Beijing itself feels relatively flat, visitors and tourists will note that there are some high mountains on the outskirts of the city and in the hinterland. Visitors to one of the sections of the Great Wall will especially be able to take in the mountainous scenery outside of Beijing.


To further comment on Beijing, I would like to add to this post an article that I previously wrote for another website. The link to the original article, "How to See Beijing's Top Ten Attractions", is here: How to See Beijing's Top Ten Attractions

Beijing is the capital of the People's Republic of China, but has been the seat of government for successive imperial dynasties since the Ming Dynasty established the "northern capital" in 1403 AD. Many believe that Beijing was actually the largest city in the world from 1425 to 1650 and from 1710 to 1825. It plays a significant role in the cultural history of China, even to the present day. Of particular note is that Beijing is the site of the Olympic Games, which begin on the 8th of August, 2008. This article describes what many believe to be the top ten sights and attractions in and around Beijing, although these top ten here are not presented in any particular order. Some visitors may prefer some sights, while different travelers may prefer others. This descriptive listing is particularly helpful to potential visitors to Beijing.

Beijing Top Ten #1: Forbidden City (Imperial Palace) - This is one of the quintessential images of Beijing. The Forbidden City (Imperial Palace) sprawls across 250 acres to the north side of Tiananmen Square. With over 9,000 rooms, the palace complex was first built between 1406 and 1420 AD. But due to being burned down, most of the architecture visible today was built in the 1700s during the Qing Dynasty. You can enter the palace from the north side of Tiananmen Square (south gate of palace) through the large Tiananmen Gate with Mao's picture hanging above. From the north gate of the palace you can enter Jingshan Park, where there is a spectacular view of Beijing from a hilltop.


Beijing Top Ten #2: Tiananmen Square and Great Hall of the People - The square is one of the largest public squares in the world and is the site of numerous large-scale rallies and parades. It has also been the site of many historical events over the years. Most people immediately think of the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests of 1989. But other important events include the announcement in 1949 by Chairman Mao of the creation of the People's Republic of China. There is typically a flag raising and lowering at sunrise and sunset, accompanied by much precision by the troops. The square is flanked on the north by the Tiananmen Gate (Gate of Heavenly Peace - with Mao's portrait) which is a main entrance to the Forbidden City, on the south by the Monument to the People's Heroes and Mao's Mausoleum, on the east by the National Museum of China, and on the west by the Great Hall of the People (the meeting place for the National People's Congress of the People's Republic of China. It is well worth the effort to get inside the Great Hall of the People and look around. The architecture is monumental in scale and there are many interesting works of art, murals, paintings, and historical items on display.


Beijing Top Ten #3: Temple of Heaven - This exquisite site, with beautiful classical architecture, is regarded as a Taoist temple. It is located south of Tiananmen Square. Ming and Qing Dynasty emperors would visit the temple to offer prayers to Heaven in hopes of good harvest. The temple grounds include three main groups of structures, and are surrounded by ancient trees of various types. The three main groupings of buildings are the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, the Imperial Vault of Heaven, and the Earthly Mount. Each was built to strict philosophical requirements and contains much symbolism.


Beijing Top Ten #4: Beihai Park and Jingshan Park - Beihai Park, initially built in the 10th century, was used as a winter palace for emporers. Nowadays, people go to the park for a respite from the city. The lake within the park is the largest in all of Beijing. There are also several structures to see such as the White Pagoda (built in Tibetan style), the Five Dragon Pavilion, and the Nine Dragon Wall. Jingshan Park, on the other hand, is located directly north of the Forbidden City. From the hilltop (one of the highest in Beijing) in the center of the park, visitors have a spectacular 360 degree view of Beijing. Of particular interest is the view to the south back over the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square on the other side of the Forbidden City.


Beijing Top Ten #5: Great Wall - This is one of those world famous sights that everyone grows up hearing about, and is definitely a must see! The wall was began in the 5th century BC and construction ceased in the 16th century AD, and stretches for over 4,000 miles. The section of wall nearby Beijing is well preserved in most places. These sections of wall mostly date from the Ming Dynasty. There are various places that travelers can go to see the wall and to walk along it. The most popular (and therefore the most crowded) is the section at Badaling, which is the closest part of the wall to Beijing. Other sections are accessible at Simatai, Jinshanling, Juyongguan, and Mutianyu, for example. It is possible to hike on the wall from Jinshanling to Simatai, as well as other sections, although it is quite strenuous in places. But the very mountainous scenery, along with the wall itself, make the trek worthwhile.


Beijing Top Ten #6: Summer Palace - Located in a suburban area northwest of Beijing, the Summer Palace was an imperial retreat set on a large tract of parklike land, about 10 square miles. It is the largest and most extensive imperial garden within China. Visitors to the park can explore mansions, ancient pavilions, temples, bridges, and the central Kunming lake. In 1998, UNESCO designated the Summer Palace as a World Heritage Site.


Beijing Top Ten #7: Ming Tombs - The tombs are actually located about 50 km north of Beijing, allowing visitors to see some of the countryside on their journey there from the capital. In all, 13 emperors of the Ming Dynasty (which ruled from 1368 to 1644) are buried at this site. Only two of the tombs have been excavated and are open to the public.


Beijing Top Ten #8: Lama Temple (Yonghe Temple) - This is one of Beijing's most visited religious sites. Located in the northeast area of Beijing along the second ring road, it is one of the largest and most important Tibetan Buddhist monasteries in the world. The architecture of the buildings are in both the Han and Tibetan styles. There are many halls within the temple, but probably the most amazing sight is the large statue of Buddha carved from a single piece of Sandalwood.


Beijing Top Ten #9: Museums and Gardens - As the capital of the People's Republic of China, Beijing contains many fascinating museums. These include the Beijing Capital Museum, the National Museum of China (at Tiananmen Square), Chinese Ethnic Museum, the Palace Museum, various art and culture museums, various science and technology museums, Beijing Museum of Natural History, Beijing Aviation Museum, Geological Museum of China, a Military Museum, as well as the many historical sites that are like museums in and of themselves. There are also many parks and gardens in addition to the ones previously mentioned, including several Imperial gardens and the beautiful Beijing Botanical Garden.


Beijing Top Ten #10: Beijing Opera and Chinese Acrobatic Shows - Beijing opera developed in the late 18th century and combines a variety of vocals, music, acting, dance, mime, and acrobatics. Performers utilize skills of speech, song, dance, and combat to convey the story in time with music. Beijing Opera repertoire includes over 1,400 works, mostly based upon Chinese folklore and history, as well as contemporary life.


Link to original article by Paul McDaniel:
How to See Beijing's Top Ten Attractions