This is the world's largest public square but is dotted with political offices instead of any pretty flowers or plants. This area serves as the final resting place for the communist chairman Mao Zedong. This square is famous for the 1989 pro-democracy demonstrations in China which ended in bloody civilian deaths at the arms of Chinese soldiers. In many regards, this is the center of Chinese political power and the birthplace of communist China. The long name for the square is Tian'an Men Guangchang or the Square of the Gate of Heavenly Peace. In this area, you can visit the numueros government offices, monuments and the Chinese National Museum.

The Forbidden City

The city of the emperors once reserved for only members of the imperial court now is open to visitors from near and far abroad - the largest and greatest of palaces complexes from the “old” China. Over 24 emperors issued their edicts from the halls of this grand monument for over 500 years and still serve as the symbolic center of the universe for the children of Han (China). The palace has since been converted to a “Palace Museum” and opened to the public since 1949. Another many things to see is the Imperial Garden and the hall of Supreme Harmony (the throne room). This collection of buildings takes all of its visitors back to ancient china and even see places where historic moments were made.

The Great Wall of China

Within 40 miles from Beijing, the Great Wall of China is the most famous and visible of China's cultural and ancient history. The wall was created by numerous rulers after the unification of China into one empire by Qin Shi Huangdi in 221 BC. Most hotels in the region offer tourists the visit to the Great Walls and to the Ming Tombs that house the dead emperors of China's forgotten era. You can visit the four sites that have been preserved from the damage that have occurred to the walls and check out the Great Wall Museum which shows the history of the area from the Neolithic time period. Overall, this trip is an adventurers and a archeologists wet dream.

The Lama Temple

One of Beijing's most attractice places of worship is the Buddhist Lama Temple. It is made up of five different sections or halls, where each section or hall is taller than the pervious. Thus walking through the temple represents walking from earth into the heavens. The temple was originally the home of Yongzheng who became the Qing Emperor in 1722. There are many sites to visit including the Hall of the Wheel of Dharma, which shows the statue of Tsongkhapa who is the founder of Yellow Hat Sect of Buddhism led by the Dalai Lama and Panchen Lama of Tibet. The temple has gone through extreme persecution at the hands of the Chinese authorities but slowly it is coming back. Now over 70 monks serve in the temple which was built to house over 1500 monks.

Hou Hai

The area is the cental hub for the city life in Beijing and the shopping center. Hou Hai has traditionally been the home to nobles and the wealthy in aristocratic China and most of the houses here offer a glimpse back in time. Many of the lakside restaurants, bars and vafes offer attratice views and waterfront terraces for visitors. There are many activities to do including Boating, Skating, and a cheap Rickshaw tour of the entire city. During the day time, it is perfect to visit the area to shop, visit the historic landmarks and homes. But at night, it is a romantic sight to behold. Candles are lit and floated into the waters while you enjoy your romantic dinner at the waterfront glimmering in the night's beauty. Hou Hai really captures the essence of modern China trapped within its past.

Every year, millions of tourists come to Turkey to see the natural beauties of my country. Most of these tourists are Russian, German and people coming from North Europan countries like Finland, Sweden and Norway. There are many historical and touristic places in Turkey but most of them are found in Aegean and Mediterranean region. Izmir, Antalya, Didim, Kusadasi, Marmaris, Fethiye, Bodrum and Ephesus are all great examples to these beauties. All of these places are located near the sea. Some of them have a historical background while some don't have. This article is about a small town Patara.

Patara is an ancient town in Mediterranean region. It is located in city of Kas which is one of the touristic cities of Antalya Province. According to the historians, Patara is the birth place of Saint Nicholas who is known as Noel Father in Turkish culture. Most of you know him as an old man who drives his deers and gives presents to the children in Noel nights. He lived all his life nearby Patara, in the town of Myra..

Patara was founded by Patarus. So, it is known with his name. Patarus was one of the sons of famous Greek commander Apollo. In the past, Dorians coming from city of Crete lived in this small town. It witnessed many wars of Greek and Egyptians. In 1. century B.C, it was joined to Roman Empire and Rhodians occupied the ancient Patara. It was joined to Pamphylia in the year of 43. According to the quotes in Bible, Paul of Tarsus and Luke changed their ships in Patara.

Patara has a small hill and a ruined temple on one side of the hill. Currently, It is under ruins. Every year, Europan and Turkish archaeologists come to Patara to search about ancient civilizations living in this region. Excavations are made.Most of those excavations are made on the hill and ruined temple nearby. Off-shore part of Patara is under sand. After the latest excavations, archaeologists announced that Patara has a main street and amphitheatre.

One day, if your steps take you away to Turkey, you should visit Patara. Sure that, you can find many interesting things which have not been discovered yet.

1. Triple Morning Star

   
   
   This Ancient Weapon known as the Mace comes from the Medieval Age. This weapon was very deadly and consisted of a wood or metal shaft with a mounted head of bronze, copper, wood, or steel. The mace was carried and used by both foot soldiers and Calvary men. Maces were very effective in battle and could puncture even the heaviest of armor. This was a barbaric weapon and left battlefields filled with torture and blood.

2. Hawaiian Throwing Axe

   
   
   This Hawaiian Throwing Axe was a deadly hand held weapon that could be used at both short and long range. This weapon was made out of wood and shark teeth had the power to take men's limbs off. This weapon was mainly used when opposing Hawaiian armies closed upon each other. They were then thrown at the opposing troops to help soften enemy ranks before close combat. They could also be used in hand to hand combat and had the muscle to rip open skin as if it was butter. This was a very dangerous weapon and is not something you would want to go up against.

3. Hunga Munga

   
   
   The Hunga Munga is an African tribal weapon that is way ahead of its time. It is a handheld weapon and contains a metal pointed blade with a curved back section and separate spike near the handle. This weapon was used in fighting between African tribes and was often times throw in a rotating motion causing deep wounds and even death. Its variation of blades allowed it to be used as more then a weapon. It was used as a tool in farming and even in building structures. It was a great all around tool and has been found all throughout Africa. Today you may have seen the Hunga Munga in the show Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Buffy uses it once in a while to fight off evil demons that she faces.

4. Throwing Star

   
   
   The throwing star known as the shuriken which means “a dagger hidden in a palm” were used and invented by the Japanese. The stars had much variation in the shape; some were shaped like a star and thrown with spin, yet others were needlelike and thrown like a throwing dagger. These daggers couldn't penetrate armor, but the ninjas, who used them, usually didn't fight armored opponents. Venom was normally used with the shuriken.

5. Caltrop

   
   
   The Caltrop is a weapon made up of two or more sharp spikes or spines arranged so that one of them points upward from a stable base. Caltrops serve to slow down the proceeding of horses, war elephants, and human troops. It was said to be particularly effective against the soft feet of camels. These were very painful if stepped on and were spread all throughout battle fields. They also were deadly because if stepped on it would cause a bad infection that would cause a slow agonizing death. They also have been used in modern times. In the Vietnam War the Vietcong put them into booby traps. If an American soldier was punctured by one he died from infection almost 90% of the time.

6. Crossbow Pistol

   
   
   This 17th Century Crossbow was way ahead of its time and is very cool. This crossbows look like an early form of a pistol and was very powerful. This hand held crossbow was both accurate and effective but it just was too hard to reload. Because of this it was not used very often in battle and was used more for target practice. Another problem with this weapon was making the arrows which was to time consuming especially if they were just going to get lost in battle. Overall this weapon was still badass and really shows what type of technology and ideas the 17th Century had.

7. Trebuchet

   
   
   A trebuchet is basically a high powered catapult and had many uses in ancient times. Mainly used as a weapon it had enough power to break through castles and destroy towns. It was first used in the 16th Century. Rocks, dead horses, dead people, and dead animals were all used as ammo. In the 16th and 17th Century when plagues and diseases were looming over civilizations plagued bodies were thrown by the trebuchet into enemy territory. The bodies decomposed passing the plague to the enemies slowly killing them. This is one of the first forms of biological warfare.]

8. Ancient Rocket Launcher

   
   
   In the 14th century, the Chinese invented rocket-launchers. These were weapons which shot arrows with rockets attached near the tip into the air toward the enemy. Also in the 14th century, multi-stage rockets were made. When the rockets near the front of the device burnt out, they lit fuses for the second-stage rockets at the back. The bombs the Chinese used in the 17th century were made of gunpowder wrapped in paper and had a fuse covered in gunpowder.

9. Ancient Flame-Thrower

   
   
   The Chinese invented the continuous flame-thrower in the tenth century. In the picture above we see the tank standing on four legs, with the pump and device above it. Because the Chinese invention of a double-acting Piston-bellows was used with this device, a continuous stream of flame could be emitted. The metal used was brass. The Flame-Thrower was used in naval or boat combat and allowed the Chinese to easily set enemy ships on fire and sink them on the spot. It was a great technology and has been used ever since.