Section 1 — Ming. Qing. Tang. Qin. What Do All These Names Actually Mean? You’re walking through: Forbidden City (故宫, Gùgōng) in: Beijing (北京, Běijīng). Your guide says: “This palace was built during the Ming dynasty.” Then: “The Qing dynasty later...

Dessert After Our Eight Big Questions   You’ve survived: eight Michelin courses. 😂 We stood on the: Great Wall (长城, Chángchéng) and asked why China built so many walls. We walked through: Forbidden City (故宫, Gùgōng) and asked how one emperor...

Section 1 — If Qin Shi Huang “Unified China,” When Did China Begin? For many first-time international travelers, the historical journey through China begins in: Xi’an (西安, Xī’ān). And very often, it begins with: Terracotta Warriors (兵马俑, Bīngmǎyǒng). Thousands of life-sized...

Section 1 — Fifteen Years?! Then Why Is Qin Shi Huang Such a Giant in Chinese History? You’re standing in front of: Terracotta Warriors (兵马俑, Bīngmǎyǒng) outside: Xi’an (西安, Xī’ān). Thousands of soldiers. Horses. Chariots. One of the greatest archaeological discoveries...

Section 1 — “Qin Shi Huang Unified China.” But What Was China Before 221 BCE? For many first-time international travelers to: Xi’an (西安, Xī’ān) there is one excursion that is almost compulsory: Terracotta Warriors (兵马俑, Bīngmǎyǒng). Thousands of life-sized clay soldiers....

Section 1 — You’re at the Temple of Heaven. Why Is the Emperor Talking to Heaven? For many first-time travelers to: Beijing (北京, Běijīng) the: Temple of Heaven (天坛, Tiāntán) is another must-see. You recognize it immediately. Blue roof. Circular building....

Section 1 — Gate. Courtyard. Hall. Another Gate. Is This Really Necessary? For almost every first-time traveler to: Beijing (北京, Běijīng) the: Forbidden City (故宫, Gùgōng) is a must. You enter through: Meridian Gate (午门, Wǔmén). Then: courtyard. ↓ gate. ↓...

  Section 1 — You’re Standing in the Forbidden City. But Who Actually Ran China? For most first-time travelers to: Beijing (北京, Běijīng) the: Forbidden City (故宫, Gùgōng) is almost compulsory. You walk through enormous: gates (门, mén), courtyards (院, yuàn),...

Section 1 — The Great Wall Looks Like a Barrier. Chinese History Was Much More Porous. You’re standing on the: Great Wall (长城, Chángchéng) outside: Beijing (北京, Běijīng). Mountains stretch into the distance. Watchtowers sit along the ridges. A huge stone...

Section 1 — You’re Standing on the Great Wall. But Whose Wall Is It? For many first-time international travelers, there are certain places in China that almost feel compulsory. The Forbidden City (故宫, Gùgōng). The Terracotta Warriors (兵马俑, Bīngmǎyǒng). And: the...