The Great Wall of China

The Great Wall was originally built in the Spring, Autumn, and Warring States Periods as a defensive fortification by the three states: Yan, Zhao and Qin. The Great Wall went through constant extensions and repairs in later dynasties. In fact, it began as independent walls for different states when it was first built, and did not become the "Great" wall until the Qin Dynasty. Emperor Qin Shihuang succeeded in his effort to have the walls joined together to fend off the invasions from the Huns in the north after the unification of China. Since then, the Great Wall has served as a monument of the Chinese nation throughout history. A visit to the Great Wall is like a tour through the history backwards; it brings tourists great excitement in each step of the wall.

The Chinese were already familiar with the techniques of wall-building by the time of the Spring and Autumn Period, which began around the 8th century BC. During the Warring States Period from the 5th century BC to 221 BC, the states of Qi, Yan and Zhao all constructed extensive fortifications to defend their own borders. Built to withstand the attack of small arms such as swords and spears, these walls were made mostly by stamping earth and gravel between board frames. Qin Shi Huang conquered all opposing states and unified China in 221 BC, establishing the Qin Dynasty. Intending to impose centralized rule and prevent the resurgence of feudal lords, he ordered the destruction of the wall sections that divided his empire along the former state borders. To protect the empire against intrusions by the Xiongnnu people from the north, he ordered the building of a new wall to connect the remaining fortifications along the empire's new northern frontier. Transporting the large quantity of materials required for construction was difficult, so builders always tried to use local resources. Stones from the mountains were used over mountain ranges, while rammed earth was used for construction in the plains. There are no surviving historical records indicating the exact length and course of the Qin Dynasty walls. Most of the ancient walls have eroded away over the centuries, and very few sections remain today. Later, the Han, Sui, Northern and Jin dynasties all repaired, rebuilt, or expanded sections of the Great Wall at great cost to defend themselves against northern invaders.

The Great Wall of China, one of the greatest wonders of the world, was enlisted in the World Heritage by UNESCO in 1987. Just like a gigantic dragon, the Great Wall winds up and down across deserts, grasslands, mountains and plateaus, stretching approximately 8,851.8 kilometers (5,500 miles) from east to west of China. With a history of more than 2000 years, some of the sections of the great wall are now in ruins or even entirely disappeared. However, it is still one of the most appealing attractions all around the world owing to its architectural grandeur and historical significance.

More attractions of China...

The Garden Route

The Garden Route lies east of Cape Town and encompasses some of South Africa's most beautiful beaches, mountains, and rivers. It is one of the famous place while visiting South Africa. The Garden Route is a series of bays, cliffs, beaches and towns, stretching hundreds of kilometres from Heidelberg in the west to the Tsitsikamma Forest in the East.This route takes travelers through a series of picturesque towns and villages, each with their own unique character and attractions.This is a strip of land like no other in the world in terms of beauty, natural attractions and unique flora and fauna . The Garden Route is a paradise for eco-lovers, bird watchers and one of the most beautiful part of the Cape.The route is a popular holiday destination for both seasons, are equally beautiful and attractive due to the largely Mediterranean climate. A wide range of leisure options, spectacular scenery and a mild climate guarantee an unforgettable holiday experience when visiting the Garden Route in South Africa.Along the way, every kind of adventure activity is possible scuba diving, abseiling,bungee jump off the Bloukrans Bridge,hikers and bikers enjoy here, fishing, Whether you're paragliding over sandy white beaches, spotting dolphins it's a place where nature rules, and it does so beautifully.It is also a top priority of many foreign visitor.

Table mountain

Table Mountain is a must see for any visitor to Cape Town.Its powerful and charismatic pull, draw many tourists to visit this place. The mountain is the only terrestrial feature to give its name to a constellation –Mensa which means “The Table” – standing in the Southern Hemisphere right below Orion.. Its tabular shape results from nearly horizontal layers of sandstone exposed by vigorous wind and water erosion. The mountain forms part of the Table Mountain National Park.The most easiest way of visiting Table Mountain is to ride up in the Cable Car.You can reach the top either via cable cars or if you're feeling slightly more energetic and have the time you can walk up the mountain from Kirstenbosch or Constantia. The mountain’s plateau is flanked by Devil’s Peak to the east and Lion’s Head to the west, forming a drastic drop to Cape Town and the Table Bay Harbor. The distinctive-looking mountain is one of Cape Town’s most recognized landmarks and is a popular tourist attraction that offers hiking, camping, and other activities.

Top Hill Stations In India

India is the perfect tourist destination when it comes natural beauty.Explore the hill station of India known for their mesmerizing beauty.The picturesque Indian hill stations are among top hill stations of world. These misty and serene hill stations in India are a perfect holiday option and are found in most parts of the country.These Hill stations are popular with both Indian and foreign tourists.Here one can see the blooming apple orchards, witness the rushing streams cascade down the mountainside,go for mountaineering, camping, trekking in these hill stations of India and have a holiday of a lifetime.Some of the famous hill stations in India are

Darjeeling : Darjeeling is an important hill resort of India. Located at a height, Darjeeling is located 2134 meters. It is also called "Queen of hill stations".Famous for its natural beauty,internationally popular for tea estates.Darjeeling is also a place to know Tibetan culture,Himalayan Tribal Life, and to see the Tibetian Monasteries.

Ooty : It is a delightful hub.It is one of the favourite summer retreats of people in South India. Orchards of peaches and plums, terraced tea plantations all you can enjoy here.

Shimla : It is known as summer capital. With its salubrious climate, Shimla in Himachal Pradesh, has snow-capped mountains with quaint surroundings.

Gulmarg : Located 50 kms away from Srinagar, Gulmarg is an enticing hill station of Jammu and Kashmir.Gulmarg is famous for Skiing and Heli Sking adventure sports.

Munnar : Munnar is one of the most visited hill stations of India. Munnar in Kerala is a beatific hill station to see in India.

Dalhousie : The picturesque town is interspersed with the colonial-era buildings,the pine-covered slopes around it are intersected with paths and treks, which are ideal for short walks.Dalhousie has charming architecture and panoramic views of both plains and the whitecapped views of the mountainous ranges.

Tawang : It is a famous hill resort of Arunachal Pradesh. Some of the famous tourist attractions of India is the Tawang Monastery and the famous Tibet Buddhist Festival.

Some more hill stations are Gangtok,Leh and adakh ,Pahalagam,Khandala , Manali,Nainital,Mussoorie etc.

Backwaters of Kerala

Kerala is a world of serenity and natural beauty. The coastal regions of Kerala have a network of waterways, inlets from the sea, estuaries, lakes and natural canals connecting coastal towns. This interlinked body of waterways is known as the backwaters in Kerala. See the green countryside, swaying palm trees, emerald rice fields. Backwaters are the most popular tourist attraction of kerala. The backwaters stretch over fifteen hundred kilometers are covered with swinging palm trees. Over 900 Km of the Kerala backwaters are navigable and have been used for centuries by the local people for transportation. You can travel on these waterways on a traditional houseboat and enjoy the scenic beauty of the backwaters in Kerala.

Some of the famous backwaters of Kerala are Alappuzha Backwaters, Kuttanad Backwaters, Kottayam Backwaters, Kollam Backwaters, Kochi Backwaters, Kumarakom Backwaters, Malappuram Backwaters etc.Alapuzha is often the starting-point of the boat cruise through these backwaters as one reaches the land of Kuttanad, also known as the rice bowl of Kerala because of its paddy fields.You can enjoy snake boat races on the backwaters of Kuttanad. Kumarakom has a spectacular lagoon to behold and coconut trees have become icons of Kerala tourism industry.Kollam's lagoons, rivers and lakes are delightful and Kayamkulam and Ashtamudi Lakes are some of the most visited tourist spots here. The entire experience of the green and serene backwaters of Kerala is incomparable. You must opt for the fabulous ride on the houseboat and explore the fascinating beauty of the backwaters of Kerala.

Red Fort

Red Fort Delhi's most famous monument.Built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in between 1638 A.D to 1648 A.D. It is also called Lal Quila.The name Red Fort comes from the massive red sandstone walls that surround itThis Red sandstone fort possess grand audience halls, marble palaces, once embedded with precious stones, a market place where the royalty used to shop, a mosque, gardens with marbled fountains, plazas, baths etc. Red Fort extends over an area of about two kms and surrounded by massive wall. Originally there were 14 gates to the fort, but now only entrances have remained namely the Delhi Gate and Lahore Gate. Red Fort complex houses a number of impressive structures such as Diwan-i-Aam, Diwan-i-Khas, Rang Mahal, Khas Mahal, Moti Masjid and Royal Baths. Sound and Light Show is a modern attraction of Red Fort that is organised in the evening and recreates history of India.

Fairs And Festivals Of India

India is a land of the celebrations.The country has it unique festivals throughout the year.The Colourful mosaic of Indian festivals and fairs - as diverse as the land, is an eternal expression of the spirit of celebration. Indian fairs and festivals always capture the centre stage when it comes to tourism. Foreign travelers are struck by the scale and multiplicity of Indian festivals that have evolved in the society. Even the tourists coincide their trip to India with the popular Indian fairs and festivals. India with its diverse culture and traditions is famous for her many fairs and festivals. The fairs and festivals are therefore the spirit of Indian culture and society. Every season brings some new festivals, each a true celebration. The birthdays of Gods and Goddesses, saints and prophets, great historical happenings and the advent of the New Year, all find expression in colourful festivities. Packed with fun and excitement, festivals serve as an occasion to clean and decorate houses, to get together with friends and relatives and to exchange gifts.In India you could find a lot of fairs and festivals.

Amarnath yatra: In the month of Shravan thousands of pilgrims make trek up to the Amarnath cave in the Kashmir Himalayas.They come to worship ice lingam a symbol of Lord Shiva.

Ambubasi Mela: The Ambubasi mela is one of the numerous religious fairs and festivals celebrated with religious fervor in India. This Ambubasi fair is organized every year during monsoon in the Kamakhya temple at Guwahati. Ambubasi is closely related to the tantrik rituals that are performed during this festival.

Baisakhi: Baisakhi coincide with the harvest time.It is celebrated by different name s and with different rituals almost all over India.

Holi: The 'Festival of Colors' is celebrated in India to welcome the season of spring and end of winters.It is celebrated with lot of gaiety all over India. People meet each other to apply dry and wet colors each other, play with water and eat sweets together.

Kumbh Mela:This fair is celebrated in Haridwar,Allahabad,Nasik,Ujjain. Millions of devotees come from all across the country to witness this distinguished festivity.

Durga Puja: In West Bengal Navratri is celebrated as Durga Puja where beautifully decorated images of the goddess are worshipped in specially erected Puja Pandals. On the final day the idols are taken in elaborate processions to be immersed in the river or the sea.

Some of the festival and fairs are also - Gangaur, is one of the most important and widely celebrated traditional festivals of Rajasthan. Pushkar Fair is the world's largest camel fair held in the holy town of Pushkar in Rajasthan. Diwali in India is celebrated with lots of enthusiasm and happiness. Makar Sankranti, Buddha Poornima, Teej and many more.So you can see India has a huge collection of festivals.

Beaches of India

Of all the nature's paradise the most irresistible temptations are the beaches.Thousands of sun-deprived tourists visit India because it has the most diverse varieties of beaches anywhere in the world,offering plenitudes of opportunities for sunbathing, water sports and fishing.And those who don’t want to enjoy water sports can build a sand castle or try beach volleyball.The West Coast with the Arabian Sea and the East Coast with the Bay of Bengal offer many a verdant vistas to the traveller. India has almost a 6,000 km long coastline, which is home to some of the finest beaches in the world.Indian beaches are very popular tourist spots.Some beaches that have become important for international travelers.

Everything about Goa is spellbinding from the landscape dotted with Portuguese architecture, to the way of life that exudes an irresistible Old World charm. Goa beaches carry a charm that brings back tourists again and again.The beach at Calangute is rocky.It is also called 'Queen of Beaches'.It is perfect for water sports activities. Parasailing, water skiing and wind surfing are some of the popular sports here. At Anjuna Beach the waters are gentle and offer opportunities for boat rides, sea scooter rides, spot-the-dolphins rides, and motorboat rides.

Kerala the land of green magic offers some of the best beaches in India.Kovalam has become one of the most popular beach hangouts in India.Its golden glowing sands, crystal clear waters and swaying coconut trees has made it popular. Kovalam is one of India's best sea resorts.

Mahabalipuram beach in TamilNadu is one of the favoured beach destinations in India. In Mahabalipuram one does not only find a great beach but also a cultural heritage . Centuries old monuments built of sandy rocks stand proud against the waves on the beaches of Mahabalipuram and amazing rock cut art is displayed.The shore temples, Rathas and Arjuna’s Penance enchant the traveller to the Mahabalipuram beach.