by James Dillard

Some sites don’t need any recommendation. While there are diamonds in the rough all over the world, there a handful of icons that epitomize entire regions. The Great Wall of China is one of those icons.

From the time they reach fifth grade, Americans know three things about China: egg rolls, fortune cookies and the Great Wall. The breathtaking bulwark, stretching over 6,000 kilometers, is in many ways the face of China to the world. Rumor has it that NASA astronauts saw the prolonged partition from space (they didn’t… it’s shorter than most suburban houses). Its sheer length, the source of its fame, is so immense that the remaining sections alone, are reported to be long enough, if stacked end to end, to run from New York City to Los Angeles.

But beyond its sheer length, the true beauty of the distinguished divider is in the details; length on the scale of the Great Wall can’t be appreciated in person. The Great Wall, however, has become a tourist icon because of its intricacy, the way it oscillates in unison with the terrain remaining always immutable yet changing at every bend.

The Mu Tian Yu section of the wall, located an hour and half outside of Beijing, shows off not just the detail of the wall, but its impact on the China as well. The view from Mu Tian Yu is stunning. Tree covered crags, as impressive as the wall and broken only by the occasional village, give the whole scene permanence. One feels as if the scene must look the same now as it did over 500 years ago when construction of the Mu Tian Yu section was completed.

It’s fair to say that the wall is almost as old as it is long; construction of the original sections began in the sixth century BC and continued for the next two thousand years as Kings and Emperors repeatedly tried to seal China off from marauders (usually Mongolians) from the north. To put the time period into perspective, consider that the Roman Empire hadn’t yet been founded when the wall was begun and had been dead for over a thousand years when it was completed.

This historical depth is another part of the Wall’s iconic status. It is the chosen face of China – the graphic they put on the visa’s they give to all the foreigners desperate to see the world’s up and coming power. The simple truth is that the wall is the Chinese Statue of Liberty – only it was made to keep the damn foreigners out, not to welcome them in… that and it’s 20 times older.

From the top of the fortifications you can see more than just the Chinese countryside. The creeping commercialization which has already swallowed other section is manifested here in the presence of a toboggan ride (41 Yuan, including mandatory insurance) that zips riders down from the legendary landmark amusement-park style. Around the base of the wall, a market has sprung up, selling everything from “I climbed the Great Wall” t-shirts (in both English and Chinese characters) to faux Communist paraphernalia.

Also visible is the underside of the Great Dragon of the East. While foreign tourists and upper crust Chinese enjoy the wall, peasants from the countryside sit inside the gate and sell water, snacks and cold beer for a small mark up. There aren’t many, but enough to remind the casual observer that they exist.

As long as there are tourists, the Great Wall will continue to draw attention. As the Olympic torch briefly outshines it, the Wall should remain high on every traveler’s to-do list. As Beijing rapidly modernizes for the games, globetrotters in search of a complete view of China should check out the wall. The Olympics, after all, will be repeated in four years; the Great Wall will be an icon forever.

Asia is one of the most exciting travel destinations. The history is unmatched and very mysterious. The people in Asia are warm, loving people, eager to make visitors feel welcomed. Although the various regions are different as far as environment, climate, cuisine, and even culture, it is all fascinating. What you find there is a beautiful blend of old and new, which is just one of the many aspects that make Asia a top destination for millions of people every year.

Take Bali , Indonesia . If you love to shop, then this is your paradise. You will find magnificent clothing stores that offer casual wear, tailored attire, silverware, antiques, jewelry, shoes, handicrafts, and much, much more. In addition, Bali is a haven for leather where you can buy anything from jackets to shoes to handbags. Then, there are the creations by local artisans such as paintings, fabrics, and wood carvings. Best of all, the prices in Bali are unbelievable. In addition to shopping, Bali is also a beautiful place with a real Asian feel.

Beijing , China is next on our list of best places to visit. If you enjoy entertainment, Beijing would make the perfect destination. The official capital of China was reestablished prior to the Ming Dynasty in 1421 at which time Gugong, the Imperial Palace , or more commonly known as The Forbidden City, was constructed. It took more than 200,000 workers and 14 years of hard labor to complete but the result is astounding. As far as places to visit while in Beijing , there are far too many to mention but we would recommend you start with the Forbidden City , which has 8,700 rooms and hallways. Then, there is the Halls of Harmony, built on a raised foundation of marble and the Imperial Flower Garden, which is one of the few places of greenery within the walled compound of the City.

Next, for those who enjoy climbing, there is Mt. Fuji in Japan . You can climb anytime from July 1 to the end of August. Just remember, you need to be in good physical condition but the effort is definitely worth every step. Mt. Fuji is the tallest mountain in Japan , reaching a staggering 12,290 feet. Actually a volcano, Mr. Fuji offers a number of wonderful hiking trails, with many stations where you can catch a bus or car to leave the mountain. Located just 60 miles from Tokyo , after climbing you can go into the city for fun nightlife and shopping.

In addition, we recommend you visit the quaint town of Puri in the Indian state of Orissa. There, you can enjoy the Festival of Rath Yatra, which is an annual event that in part has to do with moving the gods through the streets of the city. Thousands of people pull three gods by ropes, each in beautiful ornate chariots that are massive in size. In addition to this festival, you will discover wonderful food, interesting culture, and beautiful scenery.

Finally on our list of places to visit in Asia is Hong Kong, which is actually divided into four specific sections to include Hong Kong Island , Kowloon , New Territories , and Outlying Islands . The southern tip is comprised primarily of Kowloon and the most developed area of Hong Kong Island is a place called Victoria Harbor . In fact, the population there is so dense that this too is divided into two sections. Hong Kong is a bustling city that is actually quite modern, although the Asian culture can be seen everywhere. This city offers wonderful shopping, as well as entertainment, dining, or you could visit some of the learning institutions. The biggest island in Hong Kong is called Lantau yet it only has a population of around 45,000 people. One of the main attractions of Lantau is the Po Lin Monastery. There, you will find a bronze Buddha standing 85 feet tall.