The Great Wall Of China

The Great Wall of China is undoubtedly one of the most famous landmarks in the world. This man-made architecture is over 2000 years old and stretches the length of China from East to West - an amazing 4160 miles or 6700 kilometers. Construction on the wall was seemingly started by the Qin Dynasty during the 2nd Century BC and building continued on and for the following 1800 years.

Today much of the Great Wall is in disrepair however there are still a number of sections that can easily be walked by even novice treckers. Most of the best sections stretch out to the north of Beijing however there are more sections in the provinces of Liaoning, Tianjin and Gansu for the more adventurous traveler.

A History of Great Wall of China

According to the history books of China the Great Wall began life as a chain of separate walls that were designed to protect separate Chinese states. It was only when Emperor Qin Shihuang, the first emperor of the the Qin Dynasty, came to power that the walls were joined to create the Great Wall that stands even today. Most of the wall that is still usable was built at a much later time during the Ming Dynasty and the differences in culture and architecture can easily be seen.

The Great Wall of China Today

In 2002 the Great Wall of china Academy conducted a 45 day survey of the wall and visited over 100 sites in total. Their results showed that over 70% of the wall is in such disrepair that it is no longer safe for walkers and so those wishing to trek the length of the wall have to leave the structure at various points and trek through the mountains, grasslands and plateaus that surround the ruined parts.

Today, the most popular section of the wall includes an optional segment with more than 5000 steps up to the summit and although climbing the Great Wall of China is a feat in itself, hundreds of visitors do it everyday. In fact, over 1500 people join in the Great Wall of China Marathon each year - a race that includes climbing the 5164 steps before going down the other side!

The Great Wall Of China Tour

Many of the tours of China take in sections of the Great Wall . This amazing edifice defies belief and is rivaled only by the Forbidden City that sits in the center of Beijing. A China holiday that takes in both sites will provide you with memories and pictures to last you for the rest of your life.

There are numerous places to visit the Ming Dynasty Great Wall of China near Beijing, ranging from the completely rebuilt, completely touristy section at Badaling (sometimes derisively referred to as the "Disneyland Great Wall") to crumbling sections of the Wall that are off-the-beaten path such as the lesser-known section at Yaoziyu a couple of hours outside of Beijing. Named next to the 800-year old village there, the Yaoziyu Great Wall of China is a fantastically beautiful but somewhat unsafe part of the Wall that is rarely seen by visitors. Situated to the west of the Great Wall at Huanghuacheng, this section can be reached by walking along a path to a pass that allows relatively easy climbing up on to the Wall itself. Walking to the east from this pass will take you on to the Wall at Huanghuacheng, while walking back to the west is the section known as Yaoziyu. It is a steep climb either way, but the climb up on the Yaoziyu side is particularly steep. Once at the first guard tower, visitors face a rather perilous walk along a narrow section of the Wall that is approximately 18 inches wide and 10 yards long with a big drop-off on either side that could easily be fatal if you are unlucky enough to fall off of the Great Wall there. This part of the Wall is without doubt not recommended for those with vertigo or drunkards! (Save the drinking for later when you get back down off of the Great Wall.)

Once past the narrow crossing, it is still a steep climb on up the Wall as it follows the natural mountain ridge, but the views are spectacular. Shrubs and other vegetative growth also impede climbing, but there is a fairly well-worn path to follow if one is observant enough. One of the big guard towers along this route has a huge crack running vertically the full length of the tower, which makes one wonder exactly how much longer this guard tower will last without some type of preservation effort. Sadly, throughout the length of the Great Wall there seems to be no middle ground with preservation - it is either allowed to completely crumble away or it is fully rebuilt, as was done at Badaling and other sections, and as is currently (2010-2012) being done at the incredibly beautiful section of the Great Wall at Simatai.

At the summit of the Yaoziyu section of the Great Wall there is a large guard tower that provides a great place for a rest stop and some fantastic views of the surrounding area. Although it is likely to climb on top of this guard tower, in order to preserve what is left of it as well as for your own safety, it is best to just enjoy the views from below rather than risking life and climb to get on top of a 500-year old crumbling part of the Great Wall. From this guard tower, you can continue walking west along the Wall or try to follow a sort of path (it can be a bit hard to follow) down from the Great Wall to a road that leads to the 800-year old village of Yaoziyu that lends its name to this section of the Wall. There are a couple of very friendly home-based restaurants where you can get a great meal and a drink or too - a well-earned reward after some tough hiking along the Great Wall of China!

Yaoziyu is not normally included as part of any Great Wall tour, but you can contact a reputable Beijing tour company that will provide you with a customized tour upon your request.

The Niagara Falls

Arguably the most famous waterfall in the globe, Niagara Falls consists of three separate waterfalls: the Horseshoe Falls (also wel-known as the Canadian Falls), the American Falls, and the adjacent Bridal Veil Falls. It is the second largest waterfall in the world, second only to Victoria Falls in southern Africa. Imagine its power, with more than 168,000 cubic meters of water falling over the crest line every minute! A spectacular sight indeed. Attracting 14 million tourists annually, Niagara Falls straddles the Canada-US border and is shared by the cities of Niagara Falls, New York and Niagara Falls, Ontario.


If you did not know, there's much more to Niagara Falls than the waterfalls itself. No doubt in its complete majestic grandeur, the Falls remains the biggest draw. Still, both the Canadian and the United States sides of Niagara Falls are full of peripheral attractions that you won't like to miss.


On the American part, places like the Aquarium of Niagara offer both parents and kids lots of entertainment. For someone fond of outdoor enjoyment, the place to visit is Niagara Falls State Park. The park offers you room for biking, hiking, fishing and camping. The Daredevil Museum captures the history of attempts to conquer the falls, while the Schoellkopf Museum deals with its history and geology.


On the Canadian part, Niagara Falls Ontario offers an appealing variety of attractions like gaming and duty-free shopping. Other top Niagara Falls attractions include Maid of the Mist, Cave of the Winds, Goat Island, Fort Erie, and Niagara Falls Winter Garden.


As glaciers melted and retreated after the last Ice Age, land rose behind it to form ridges such as the Niagara Escarpment. It also formed today's Lake Erie and its surrounding lowlands. The lake overflowed almost 12,000 years ago, and Niagara Falls was born. Erosion has shifted the falls from its original location seven miles north in Lewiston.


During summer, Niagara Falls draws the highest number of visitors. After dark, floodlights illuminate both sides of it until midnight, from the Canadian side. From the American side, you can have a view of American Falls from walkways along Prospect Park or from an observation tower.


Queen Victoria Park on the Canadian side contains gardens, and platforms that offer admirable views of both the American and Horseshoe Falls. The underground walkways in the park lead to observation rooms creating an illusion of being within the falling waters. For the highest panoramic view of the falls, you can visit the observation deck of the Skylon Tower. If you look at the opposite direction from the tower, you can get a view of far-away Toronto as well.


Since 1846, the Maid of the Mist cruises have carried visitors into the whirlpools beneath the falls. The Spanish Aerocar, a cable car designed by a Spanish Engineer and built in 1916, carries passengers over the whirlpool below the falls on the Canadian side.


Maid of the Mist boat tours, a half-hour ride, will take you into the swirling waters on the American side of the falls. Be ready to get wet during the ride, although hooded raincoats are provided if you forget your own. In the Cave of the Winds trip, you take an elevator deep into the Niagara Gorge. Standing on the "Hurricane Deck" you get a view of Bridal Veil Falls from a distance of just 20 feet.


For children, two great spots are Marineland, featuring killer whales, dolphins and sea lions, and the Fun House, where they can play in the rolling barrels.


You will also find some great restaurants like Betty's, Happy Wanderer, Niagara Grand Dinner Theatre, bars and clubs like Beer Garden, Applebee's Neighborhood Grill & Bar and Al Mac's Bar and Grill.


If you are a compulsive shopper, you will find anything from toys to curio shops. The Niagara Duty-Free Shop, open daily, offers anything from liquor to crystal, many of them at an attractive discount.


Packages


Niagara Falls is a popular scenic spot both in United States and Canada. Because of its majestic scenery, millions of people go to visit it every year. As the falls are in a remote area which is far away from major cities in America, visitors need at least two days to get to their destination. However, this doesn't affect people's passion and excitement. Moreover, the falls area has unique culture, and visitors can experience it when they visit 'Ripley's Believe it or Not'. So this seems much more interesting than taking photos of natural scenery. If you want to take Niagara Falls Tours, you must know that it doesn't have mild climate. And people have to be careful when they took packages tour to the waterfall. The trail will become very rugged in winter.


Niagara Falls is a world-famous scenic spot. Many foreigners come to visit this majestic waterfall, because they may know this great place even when they were in primary school. They think the waterfall is an important site during their tour to United States. The waterfall has a good reputation all over the world, so more and more people come to see whether it is as breathtaking as described in movies or in books.


The waterfall has never lost its glamour, because it is actually amazing. No one will disappoint to what they have seen there. So many tourists many come back for a second time or a third time. The classical Maid of the Mist boat ride always make people exciting, and the boat will take visitors into the falls. They will experience nature's grand scenery. Moreover, those towns nearby are good places. People can get away from the bustling life in cities and get peace in this dramatic beauty.


Carrying Niagara Falls packages, every tourist can find its own pleasure in this pure and fresh area. I want to visit this place as a hiker. And I plan to stay a longer time than usual tourists. So I will get me closer to Niagara Falls.

The Statue Of Liberty

A statue of a pale lady stands against the shadows of New York skyline holding a torch in one hand with an arm raised and clutching a book close to her breast. Her face is etched with an expression of hope and she faces towards the Atlantic Ocean. This statue of the lady is the ever famous 'Statue of Liberty'. It is a symbol of hope and peace that was gifted by the French to the American people.

France and the Unites States had developed a formidable friendship during the American Revolution because the French had supported American's against the British rule. This historical event led the French to develop a respect for America's success in establishing democracy.

After a hundred years, this admiration became a topic for a small group of French intellectuals at a party hosted by a well known personality Edouard Rene Lefebvre de Laboulaye. This group comprised of individuals who opposed to the regime of Napoleon III.

The talk was focused on close ties between France and America. There was sympathy and admiration in the voice of the guests. Laboulaye observed this sympathy between the two nations and called them the two sisters. Looking forward towards the America's independence celebrations, Laboulaye thought of an idea to present US with a everlasting memorial. One of the guest, Frederic-Auguste Bartholdi was impressed with Laboulaye's idea. He was a sculptor and was deeply interested to create the masterpiece.

Success in grand projects encouraged Bartholdi to create the Statue of Liberty's colossal size. He had received his first commission at an early age for creating the first public monument which was a statue of General Jean Rapp. The statue was his claim of fame.

The Neo-classical art of the 19th century had influenced the appearance of the Statue of Liberty. Bartholdi had patterned her in memory of the goddess of freedom called "Libertas". He learned the real meaning of 'liberty' from his past experience of Franco-Prussian war.

Partially as a propaganda to further the cause of those seeking to create a French Republic, Laboulaye suggested Bartholdi to travel to America. Equipped with letters of introduction from Laboulaye to some of America's influential men, he sailed to New York in 1871.

Bartholdi became successful in time and work on the project started. Richard Morris Hunt was the architect for the 89 foot high pedestal. The engineer for the statue was Alexandre Gustave Eiffel of the famed Eiffel Tower. General Charles P. Stone was responsible for the construction of the entire project. Gaget, Gauthier and Company in France served as foundry for the sculpture.

Statue of Liberty is the first statue that visitors can climb inside with a steel ladder to the balcony around the torch. The head of the statue is made of copper, its foundation has 24,000 tons of concrete which was the largest poured at that time. The height of the statue is 52 feet, 10 inches. The bottom measures 91 feet and the top measures 65 feet. The Statue of Liberty was declared as a a national monument by President Calvin Coolidge in October 1924. The National Park Service finally took over its maintenance and administration in 1933.

How To Get There??

Ellis Island Immigration Museum

Following the restoration in the 1980's the Main Building opened as the Ellis Island Immigration Museum - in memory of America's immigrant heritage. Museum exhibits tell the story of Ellis Island's role in immigration history as well as giving a voice to the immigrants themselves. Each unique story conveys the courage and determination behind a decision to leave home and seek opportunities in a foreign land.

The exhibits include photographs, prints, videos and interactive displays as well as museum objects. The largest exhibit is the building itself, a French Renaissance Revival structure which was designed by Boring and Tilton and restored to its 1918-1924 appearance.

The Statue of Liberty

Further exhibits can be found inside the base of the Statue itself. The Statue of Liberty exhibit traces of the history and the symbolism of the statue through photographs and artifacts. The Torch exhibit includes the original 1886 flame and on the inner wall of the pedestal, visitors can see Emma Lazarus' famous sonnet - the New Colossus.

Getting there

The Statue of Liberty and the Ellis Island Immigration Museum are just a short ferry ride away from Battery Park.

Ferry boats depart daily from 9am upto 3.30pm.

Adult entry - $12

Child entry - $5

Eiffel Tower

One of the world's most renowned landmarks that has become the icon of the country, the Eiffel Tower is an iron lattice tower made in 1889. It stands on the Champ de Mars in Paris. This tallest building in Paris is also


one of the most visited, most recognizable, and most photographed structure in the world. Millions of people go to this attractive place each year which was named after its designer and engineer named Gustave Eiffel.


This tower was built as the entrance arch to the World's Fair in 1889. The Eiffel Tower measures 324 meters or 1,063 feet in height. It is as tall as most 81-storied buildings.


When it was finished, it became the tallest man-made edifice in the world, beating the Washington Monument, which held the title for a long forty-one years. It carried that distinction until the Chrysler Building in New


York City was constructed in 1930. When you visit the Eiffel Tower, you will first get to the entry level of the structure where tickets can be purchased to climb the tower either by stairs or lift. The walk to the first level is


300 steps. It is the same for the walk from the first to the second level. The highest level can only be accessed using the elevator. Restaurants can be found in the first and second levels. This landmark is so prominent


that even if you don't go visit it personally, you will see it all throughout your stay in Paris as it is the highest structure in the area.


No vacation to France would be complete without a visit to the famous Eiffel Tower.


So here is the best way to see the Eiffel Tower for the first time.


First, wherever your lodging is, take the Metro to Iena station or to Trocadero station.


If you go to Iena station, then when you come out, you will be close to a fork in the road - the left hand fork will be Avenue d'Iena, and the right hand fork will be Avenue du President Wilson. Walk along Avenue du


President Wilson, going towards Place du Trocadero et du 11 Novembre. As you're walking along here, you want to keep the road on your right. After a short walk you will come to the Musee National des Monuments.


If you go to Trocadero station, take the exit that goes out to the Musee National des Monuments. Make sure that this is the exit you take otherwise you'll find yourself on the wrong side of a roundabout.


Keeping the Musee on your left, walk straight past it and then turn left. You'll find yourself in a plaza area called Le Palais de Chaillot (Chaillot Palace), but you won't notice that because right smack bang in front of you


will be the Eiffel Tower. This is the classic Eiffel Tower view, and this view can't be beaten for your first sight of it.


Next, you'll walk through the plaza towards the tower and go down a wide set of steps through a water garden. At the end of the garden, you'll cross the road and find yourself on a bridge crossing the River Seine. The


bridge is called Pont d'Iena (on the name of Iena station and Avenue d'Iena?). On the other side of the bridge, you'll find yourself looking up through the hundreds of girders that make up the tower.


Don't miss going up in the tower. It has three levels that you can visit, and an elevator can take you to all of them. The first and second levels are not particularly high, but the third level is right at the top of the tower.


Depending on the time of year that you go, you may have to queue to get in, but it is worth the wait.