Discoveries...Asia- China: Beijing- Great Wall- Xi'an- Guilin- Hong Kong and Shanghai -Blu-ray-

Beijing has three of the city’s most impressive historic attractions: Tiananmen Square, The Forbidden City and the Temple of Heaven. Early mornings many Chinese start their day with tai chi chuan at the Temple of Heaven. The Imperial Palace was off limits to the public for over 500 years and was hence known as the Forbidden City. Now a UNESCO World Heritage site, it is the Imperial Palace Museum. One of the main entrances is just off Tiananmen Square, the worlds largest public square. Nearby, hutongs (old neighborhoods) still exist surrounded by 20th century progress. The Summer Palace is the largest imperial garden in the world and is a great example of classical Chinese garden architecture. The Great Wall of China was first built in the 7th century as a defense against the Mongolians when China was still divided into many small states and today it still twists and winds along hill crests, gorges, and rivers for thousands of miles. In 1974, a group of peasants uncovered some pottery while digging for a well and accidentally uncovered the remains of one of the greatest archeological discoveries of the century, the Xi’an Terracotta Warriors. Life-size terracotta figures of warriors and horses arranged in battle formations are the star features. Guilin and the Li River with it’s limestone towers and the view from a river cruise through it’s crystal-clear water is outstanding. Nearby Yangshuo City Market is a site to behold. Hong Kong is a kaleidoscope of life, a blending of East and West, Symphony of Lights, The Star Ferry, world’s longest open-air escalator, markets and fantastic historical photos taken from Victoria Peak all leave an indelible impression. Hangshou is considered one of the 10 most scenic cities in China and Shanghai, one of the largest urban areas in the world, is recognized as China's most important center of commerce. REVIEW: VIDEO LIBRARIAN - ...Shot during winter, this beautifully filmed travelogue is definitely recommended.