China conjures up images of history, tradition and the treasures of an ancient civilization. But whether your idea of adventure is exploring the past, hiking in the mountains, taking a slow boat on a long river or sampling dishes based on 5,000 years of gastronomic experience, the legendary "Middle Kingdom" can make a modern Marco Polo of anyone.

The Great Wall at Jiankou, Beijing

1. The Great Wall

The Great Wall is a series of stone and earth fortifications built and rebuilt between the 6th century BC and the 16th century to protect the northern borders of the Chinese Empire from the nomadic peoples of the northern steppe. The latest survey put the length of the Ming Dynasty Great Wall at 8852 kilometers.

The view of the Forbidden City from Jingshan Park

2. The Forbidden City

The Forbidden City (Palace Museum), a World Heritage site since 1987, imparts a sense of grandeur and wealth, an aura of pomp and majesty that has passed down the ages. This secret city was closed off from the world for 500 years but now its 720,000 square meters of courtyards, pavilions, great halls, gardens and nearly 10,000 rooms are open to all and it has become one of the most popular historical sites in the world.