Asia Things to Do Tips by tini58de

Russia: Lake Baikal

This is the official brief description of the UNESCO committee:

"Situated in south-east Siberia, the 3.15-million-ha Lake Baikal is the oldest (25 million years) and deepest (1,700 m) lake in the world. It contains 20% of the world's total unfrozen freshwater reserve. Known as the 'Galapagos of Russia', its age and isolation have produced one of the world's richest and most unusual freshwater faunas, which is of exceptional value to evolutionary science."

(quoted from the official UNESCO website)

Personal impression:

I have been to Lake Baikal twice - one time the lake was still covered with ice, the other time we were sitting at the beach with just our t-shirts on!!! Fabulous scenery and what a huge lake!

China: Historic Center of Macao

This is the official brief description of the UNESCO committee:

"Macao, a lucrative port of strategic importance in the development of international trade, was under Portuguese administration from the mid 16th century until 1999, when it came under Chinese sovereignty. With its historic street, residential, religious and public Portuguese and Chinese buildings, the historic centre of Macao provides a unique testimony to the meeting of aesthetic, cultural, architectural and technological influences from East and West. The site also contains a fortress and a lighthouse, which is the oldest in China. The site bears testimony to one of the earliest and longest-lasting encounters between China and the West based on the vibrancy of international trade."

(quoted from the official UNESCO website)

Personal impression:

Macao had been on my to go list for a long time! I loved the mixture of European and Asian cultures and was so glad I got to see this part of China as well!

Website: http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1110

China: Mount Lu Shan

This is the official brief description of the UNESCO committee:

"Mount Lushan, in Jiangxi, is one of the spiritual centres of Chinese civilization. Buddhist and Taoist temples, along with landmarks of Confucianism, where the most eminent masters taught, blend effortlessly into a strikingly beautiful landscape which has inspired countless artists who developed the aesthetic approach to nature found in Chinese culture."

(quoted from the official UNESCO website)

Personal impression:

To me, Mount Lu Shan was nice, but not really anything THAT special. I guess it depends quite a bit on your tour guide or on the fact, how well you prepared yourself to really appreciate a cultural sight like this. I do remember the delicous food, though...........

Website: http://whc.unesco.org/sites/778.htm

China: Huang Shan

This is the official brief description of the UNESCO committee:

"Huangshan, known as 'the loveliest mountain of China', was acclaimed through art and literature during a good part of Chinese history (e.g. the Shanshui 'mountain and water' style of the mid-16th century). Today it holds the same fascination for visitors, poets, painters and photographers who come on pilgrimage to the site, which is renowned for its magnificent scenery made up of many granite peaks and rocks emerging out of a sea of clouds".

(quoted from the official UNESCO website)

Personal impression:

I felt like walking through one of those Chinese paintings - totally fascinated by this truly magnificent landscape. I did sit down to make a sketch of it and enjoyed just sitting there and soaking in this wonderful sight!

Website: http://whc.unesco.org/sites/547.htm

China: The Terracotta Army in Xi'an

This is the official brief description of the UNESCO committee:

"No doubt thousands of statues still remain to be unearthed at this archaeological site, which was not discovered until 1974. Qin (d. 210 B.C.), the first unifier of China, is buried, surrounded by the famous terracotta warriors, at the centre of a complex designed to mirror the urban plan of the capital, Xianyan. The small figures are all different; with their horses, chariots and weapons, they are masterpieces of realism and also of great historical interest."

(quoted from the official UNESCO website)

Personal impression:

I can still remember hearing the news of the excavation of the Terracotta Army in 1974 - I was sooooooooo impressed and had wanted to see this myself one day ever since. And although it is highly touristy now, I sure was very fascinated!!!! I would not want to go back there, though, to keep this tickle of excitement as a great memory!
.

Website: http://whc.unesco.org/sites/441.htm

China: The Imperial Tombs of the Ming and Qing

This is the official brief description of the UNESCO committee:

"The Ming and Qing imperial tombs are natural sites modified by human influence, carefully chosen according to the principles of geomancy (Fengshui) to house numerous buildings of traditional architectural design and decoration. They illustrate the continuity over five centuries of a world view and concept of power specific to feudal China."

(quoted from the official UNESCO website)

Personal impression:

I really enjoyed walking down the alley with those huge statues, leading to the temples and tombs. A very powerful, yet peaceful atmosphere.......
.

Website: http://whc.unesco.org/sites/1004.htm

China: The Temple of Heaven in Beijing

This is the official brief description of the UNESCO committee:

"The Temple of Heaven, founded in the first half of the 15th century, is a dignified complex of fine cult buildings set in gardens and surrounded by historic pine woods. In its overall layout and that of its individual buildings, it symbolizes the relationship between earth and heaven – the human world and God's world – which stands at the heart of Chinese cosmogony, and also the special role played by the emperors within that relationship."

(quoted from the official UNESCO website)

Personal impression:

I simpliy loved the blue tiles......... This might seem very unimportant considering the symbolism and grandeur of this monument, but well - for me it was the blue tiles...

Website: http://whc.unesco.org/sites/881.htm

China: The Summer Palace in Beijing

This is the official brief description of the UNESCO committee:

"The Summer Palace in Beijing – first built in 1750, largely destroyed in the war of 1860 and restored on its original foundations in 1886 – is a masterpiece of Chinese landscape garden design. The natural landscape of hills and open water is combined with artificial features such as pavilions, halls, palaces, temples and bridges to form a harmonious ensemble of outstanding aesthetic value."

(quoted from the official UNESCO website)

Personal impression:

Very green, very hot and very enjoyable - so much to see: temples, architecture, a beautiful lake, wonderful gardens - it very well deserves to be a UNESCO World Heritage!

Website: http://whc.unesco.org/sites/880.htm

China: The Forbidden City in Beijing

This is the official brief description of the UNESCO committee:

"Seat of supreme power for over five centuries, the Forbidden City, with its landscaped gardens and many buildings (whose nearly 10,000 rooms contain furniture and works of art), constitutes a priceless testimony to Chinese civilization during the Ming and Qing dynasties."

(quoted from the official UNESCO website)

Personal impression:

Just one word: HUGE!!! After having seen the movie "The Last Emperor", I had a little notion of what to expect, but the reality really was more than I had dreamt of! Even my friends, who visited for the third time, said, that they discovered something new every time they visited!

Website: http://whc.unesco.org/sites/439.htm

China: The Great Wall

This is the official brief description of the UNESCO committee:

"In c. 220 B.C., under Qin Shi Huang, sections of earlier fortifications were joined together to form a united defence system against invasions from the north. Construction continued up to the Ming dynasty (1368–1644), when the Great Wall became the world's largest military structure. Its historic and strategic importance is matched only by its architectural significance."

(quoted from the official UNESCO website)

Personal impression:

Standing on top of the Great Wall really was a childhood dream come true. The only thing that I had not expected, was the steepness of the steps, so I was rather out of breath and happy to sit down and do some sketching!

Website: http://whc.unesco.org/sites/438.htm