Unearthed in 1955, the Lei Cheng Uk Han Tomb is a stellar example of a Han Dynasty burial chamber, nearly 2,000 years old.
Discovered while excavating for the present Lei Cheng Uk estate, the tomb has undergone extensive study and renovation since its opening to the public in 1957.
Perhaps most famous for the Speaker’s Corner, where citizens stand atop a soapbox and shout their views to the crowd, there’s much more to see and do here than listen to political opinions.
The land forming the park was first acquired by Henry VIII from the monks of Westminster Abbey in 1536. While Henry used the park for deer hunting, the horseback riding today is strictly not for sport.
Much of London, for the tourist anyway, is historical. Ancient buildings and centuries old monuments. Palaces and works of art from the ages. But not Harrods. Harrods, even while its origins are from over 150 years ago, is as up-to-date as the latest computer.
The world’s greatest department store was established on its current site in 1849 by Charles Henry Harrod, a wholesale grocer. Harrod’s son Charles Digby rapidly grew the business and by 1880 employed 100 staff.
Whether you want to ride a ferris wheel or lean toward seeing some Shakespeare, Navy Pier has every kind of enjoyment you can imagine. Open to the public since 1916, the area was revitalized in 1995. Ever since, it has attracted visitors from all over the world – over 8 million in 2005 alone.
Don’t worry about crowds, though. There’s so much to do and see that lines are rarely a problem. There is a dock with ships to see and restaurants to sample, just like Pier 39 in San Francisco. Or you can just sit and enjoy the fountain at Gateway Park, with 240 jets, all computer synchronized.
There are many examples of a Museum of Science and Industry around the country. But the one in Chicago is the oldest and unquestionably the best museum of its kind in the world. On three floors, covering 350,000 sq ft (32,520 sq m) it offers over 800 exhibits that attract 2 million visitors per year.
Just as Hong Kong is itself an island, just off the mainland from Kowloon, so there are others less well known but equally worth a visit. Lantau Island, which houses the now famous Po Lin Monastery and the Tian Tan Buddha, is the central starting point for visits to these historical treasures.
Lantau Island houses much more than the exquisite Po Lin monastery and famed giant Buddha statue. A short bike ride from the monastery is Mui Wo. For those who prefer a less strenuous form of transportation there’s also a convenient bus from the main depot at Po Lin.
Hong Kong is a bustling, ultra-modern city with an ancient past. This contrast is captured and displayed to perfection in the Hong Kong Museum of History. By means of dozens of interactive videos and computers, alongside hand-sculpted or carefully selected artifacts, Hong Kong’s long history is shown.
Whether your taste runs to the modernist or whether you prefer classical, Sydney’s Historic Houses Trust has a sample that will enlighten and entertain.
Elizabeth Farm
Elizabeth Farm contains Australia’s oldest building. Begun in 1793, it was the home of John and Elizabeth Macarthur, early sheep farmers. The farm was the birthplace of the now world-renowned Australian wool industry.
Visitors to San Francisco have a choice of three major options when seeking an aquarium. Fortunately, there’s no way to go wrong – all three are terrific.
Aquarium by the Bay
The Aquarium by the Bay, first opened in 1996, houses dozens of exhibits holding thousands of animals. There are hundreds of interesting species on display – everything from nearly invisible sea horses to all too visible sharks.
San Francisco is, intentionally no doubt, one of the most eccentric and mixed metropoli on the planet. The town is heavily populated with residents strongly opposed to anything commercial.
Yet, it is also home to corporate headquarters of one of the world’s largest banks (Bank of America) and several other mega-companies. Nowhere is this split personality more evident than, in of all places, the city’s popular Cable Car rides.
Explore the beauty and different cultures of the world as we take you all over the globe.