lthough China is still relatively new to tourism, 1999 tourist arrivals were up 14.7 per cent over 1998. It's a growth trend that China is ready to embrace and encourage.

Endowed with magnificent landscapes, unique customs, a rich history and splendid culture, China is taking giant steps to lure tourists to explore "the cultural divide". By the end of 1999, China listed 237,000 accommodation facilities, 3,856 of which are star-rated: 77 five-star hotels, 204 four-star, 1,292 three-star, 1,898 two-star and 385 one-star. Today, 128 international airlines serve China making it highly accessible. And, with over 10,000 tourist attractions throughout China, there is something to tweak anyone's interest.

So far, 13 of China's cultural sites grace the UNESCO world heritage list:

The Great Wall (1987)
Stretching from Shanhaiguan Pass in the east to Jiayuguan Pass in the west, The Great Wall is 6,700 kilometres long. Along its length there are some 100 passes and tens of thousands of watch and beacon towers from which to gaze in wonder at China's undulating topography.

The Palace Museum (1987)
Situated at the centre of Beijing and to the north of Tian'anmen Gate, it is also known as the Forbidden City, the imperial palace of the Ming and Qing dynasties. Construction began in 1406 and was completed 14 years later. In all, 24 emperors ascended the throne until the last emperor, Fu Yi, was driven from the palace in 1924. It was converted to a museum and opened to the public in 1925.

Mausoleum of Qin Shihuang and Museum of Terra Cotta Warriors (1987)
Located in Lintong County, 35 kilometres east of Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, the Mausoleum was built for the first emperor in Chinese history and took 300,000 labourers 38 years to complete. Over the past few years, a total of 50,000 historical and cultural relics have been unearthed. The vaults of the terra cotta warriors and horses are 1.5 kilometres east of the Mausoleum.

Mogao Grottoes in Dunhuang (1987)
Hewn from a steep cliff at the foot of Mingsha Mountain, the grottoes are about 25 kilometres southeast of Dunhuang in Gansu Province and include the Mogao Grottoes, West Thousand-Buddha Cave and Yulin Grottoes. A total of 492 caves, dating back to 16 dynasties, contain 45,000 square metres of murals, 2,415 colour sculptures and some 4,000 celestial figures — a historical record of cultural exchanges between China and other regions.

Chengde Mountain Resort and Temples (1994)
Also known as the Rehe Palace where Qing emperors spent their summer days, the 18th-century Chengde Imperial Palace is located in the northern part of Chengde City, Hebei Province.

Mansion, Temple and Cemetery of Confucius of Qufu (1994)
The Mansion of Confucius is the living quarters of the first grandson of Confucius, great philosopher, educator and founder of Confucianism. In 478 BC, the second year after Confucius' death, the former three-room mansion was converted into a temple. Renovated and expanded over time, today it covers an area of 218,000 square metres. The Cemetery of Confucius lies about 1.5 kilometres north of Qufu.

Ancient Architectural Complex on Wudang Mountain (1994)
Wudang Mountain, also known as Taihe Mountain, located in Danjiangkou City in northwest Hubei Province, is an ancient architectural complex that houses eight palaces, two Taoist temples, 36 nunneries, 73 temples on cliffs, 39 bridges, 12 pavilions and 10 ancestral temples. Built between 1412 and 1424, the complex extends 70 kilometres from Jingle Palace in Gujunzhou City to Golden Hall at the top of Tianzhu Peak.

Potala Palace (1994)
Considered the quintessence of Tibetan architecture, Potala Place sits 3,700 metres above sea level on Hongshan Mountain in Lhasa. The 999-room palace covers an area of 410,000 square metres which is divided into two sections, the Red Palace and the White Palace. The latter served as the living quarters for succeeding Dalai Lamas while the Red Palace houses eight funerary stupas of Dalai Lamas covered in sheets of gold.

Ancient City of Lijiang (1997)
First built in 1126, the intact ancient city of Lijiang, also known as Davan Town, in Lijiangha, is inhabited mostly by Naxi ethnic people and covers an area of 1.5 square kilometres.

Ancient City of Pingyao (1997)
Under natural protection today, the city wall of Pingyao in Pingyao County, Shanxi Province, was first built in the 11th century and expanded in 1370. It is the earliest and largest intact city wall in China.

Ancient Gardens in Suzhou (1997)
Located in the south of the Yangtze River Delta, bordered by Taihu Lake to the west and Shanghai to the east, Suzhou is a famous historical and cultural centre dating back 2,500 years. With some 200 gardens from the Ming and Qing dynasties, the city is renowned for its small but elegant private gardens.

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