China Things To Do

This antique shopping row has some of the best pieces in the world. Visitors who want to purchase a custom-tailored suit should check out Sam's Tailor (94 Nathan Rd; www.samstailor.com), one of the city's finest.

This temple is one of China's most colorful Buddhist landmarks. At the entrance is a labyrinth of grottoes featuring 350 images of Buddha carved into the rocks. The fertile surrounding hills produce China's choicest tea.

Though many of its signature humpbacked-bridged canals are long gone and its intricate waterways superseded by road and rail, Suzhou remains an alluring city worth leaving Shanghai for, if only for a day. Exquisitely landscaped Ming and Qing Dynasty gardens with their bamboo trees, bonsais, and lotus ponds, are the prime attractions.

Beijing’s formerly golden-roofed imperial palace was once off limits to mere mortals, but today it attracts thousands of visitors daily. The scale is astonishing; the high-walled compound contains six main palaces and 800 smaller buildings.

Located in Tiantan Park, south of Beijing, the Temple of Heaven merits at least a half-day visit. First built in the fifteenth century, this site of religious and historic interest is comprised of several blue-tiled buildings, including the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvest.

For a fascinating primer on the last 400 million years of Hong Kong history (no kidding!), this state-of-the-art museum is a must.  Collections encompass culture, natural history, and archaeology, and include exhibits showcasing traditional costumes, burial objects from the Eastern Han dynasty, and historical stamps.

This cavernous, central plaza is flanked by socialist-realist buildings that represent Beijing’s significance in Chinese political life. One the city’s most popular photo-ops –  a snapshot beneath the portrait of Chairman Mao – is here.

Beijing; Beijing

Overlooking the tree-lined Kunming Lake, with manicured gardens, humped bridges, and pagodas, the summer retreat of Chinese emperors and empresses boasts a picturesque setting beyond the sprawling capital. Arrange a driver at your hotel, and allow a few hours for exploration.

In 2007, the wall was voted one of the world’s seven modern wonders. Badaling, a 1.5 hour drive from Beijing, is the nearest (and busiest) section and most hotels will transport guests to the site. Alternatively, sign up for expert William Lindesay’s guided tours of unreconstructed sections of the “Wild Wall.”

Head to this museum to see these famous terracotta artifacts (found in 1974). The restored, life-sized warriors are eerily human, with determined facial expressions, and hairstyles relating to army rank.