Posted 28 Jun 2010

Young adults on gap years in China have been urged to explore the city of Xian.

Writing for Suite101, Louise Campion outlined a number of attractions that can be found there.

Visitors can see the Great Mosque, the City Wall and the Big Wild Goose Pagoda.

The lattermost structure originally dates from 652 with various additions being made since then.

It costs about 25 yuan to enter the Great Mosque and visitors are permitted in most places.

Only Muslims, however, may enter the prayer hall.

Tourists may also wish to walk or cycle along the City Wall, which was built during the Ming era and encloses the ancient city centre.

Visitors to China who are looking for a place to stay could check into the new Ritz-Carlton hotel that recently opened in Shanghai.

It has been designed to fit in with the surrounding cityscape and has been described as a contemporary interpretation of Shanghai art deco from the 1930s.

Category: Asia