As you might expect, the museum offers multiple galleries covering the life of the 40th U.S. president and displays such artifacts as the suit Reagan wore on inauguration day and the chest X-ray showing a would-be assassin's bullet lodged close to his heart. Don't expect a dry recounting of presidential history, however. This museum makes abundant and productive use of multi-media to pull you along as you follow the president through his early years growing up and as a high school athlete, as a radio sports announcer, as a Hollywood movie star, and as a U.S. Army officer. You'll also learn about his entry into politics and his service as a two-term governor of California prior to the presidential campaigns that eventually landed him in the White House.

As is the case with most presidential museums, the content is biased in favor of the president with scant attention paid to the Iran-Contra Affair or other controversial aspects of the Reagan years. Overall, however, the museum deserves high marks for presenting an accurate and clear portrait of the president's two terms in office.

Ample attention is also paid to Reagan's wife, Nancy. A Hollywood starlet herself, she met her future husband on a movie set. Visitors will see examples of Mrs. Reagan's trademark designer clothes and other examples of the elegance she brought to the White House.

The couple had been married for more than 50 years at the time of the president's death in 2004 of complications arising from Alzheimer's Disease. A particularly poignant artifact in the museum is the handwritten statement the president prepared to announce to the world the tragic diagnosis.

Reagan's gravesite is located at the museum as well. It is a simple and tasteful memorial overlooking the California countryside he loved so much.

The museum has many attractions, including a section of the Berlin Wall, a poignant symbol of the Cold War which ended in the collapse of the Soviet Union during Reagan's term, a three-fourths scale replica of the White House rose garden and an F-14 “Tomcat” fighter plane.

The most dramatic sites, however, are a full-scale reproduction of the White House Oval Office, recreated just as it looked during Reagan's presidency and the display of Air Force One, the presidential Boeing 707 that carried Reagan and six other presidents on diplomatic missions around the world. Visitors are able to walk through the plane and see it configured just as it was during Reagan's presidency.

Amenities include a café, pub and two museum stores. Parking is more than adequate and wheelchair accessible.

As its name implies, the facility is also a working library for historians to use in understanding the Reagan legacy. The library includes more than 55 million pages of administration and personal documents, over 1.6 million photos, more than 55,000 video and audio tapes and more than 670,000 feet of film.

The Reagan Presidential Library and Museum is one of 12 similar presidential facilities that have been established across the country. It is privately funded through donations, admission fees, gift shop receipts and facility rentals.

Boston By Foot has been around for more than 30 years now, providing walking tours of Boston throughout the year except from November to April, when it might be a little chilly, but if your not in Boston during the spring and summer, they have custom tours at any time of the year. These tours aren't of the whole city, rather they focus on a specific neighborhood or theme, so the tour won't be as long as you would expect. They go to various places, such as the Victorian Back Bay, a beautiful place, and the Freedom Trail in downtown Boston. Each tour comes with the story of Boston and it's rich history, while experiencing beautiful architecture back since the beginnings of Boston in 1630. Each tour goes to multiple important historical cities such as the location of the Boston Tea Party. Some other tours include, Beacon Hill, Ashmont Hill, a Contemporary Boston tour, the Wharf District, The Liberty Hotel, etc. There are so many to choose from. However, not every tour is available everyday, so you should use careful planning if you are planning to go on one of these tours, but they do have tours everyday. The address is 77 North Washington Street if you want to go check them out. It's a really cool company and if you are planning to go on a walking tour of Boston, I would recommend this one from personal experience. Boston is a wonderful place and I can't think of a better way to experience it now that I've experienced a walking tour for myself.

I took a look around for some other walking tour companies and one that came up was at a website called Walking Tours of Historic Boston at Walkingboston Now, I've never actually taken a tour from this company so this is all information from their website. Unlike Boston By Foot, Walking Boston is a private tour company so it's smaller group and there's more questions you can ask and more info you can get out of it. There are 14 historic sites that you could potentially visit, all linking to Boston's rich history. The tour guide shares original documents and newspapers from the colonial period so you would hear stories that wouldn't be heard by anyone else, which makes this a truly unique tour. You must book your tours in advance since this is a private tour company. Rates are $130.00 for a private family tour (under 10 people) and $13 for adults and $10 for children under 12 for a group tour of 10-30 people. I would like to take a tour at the company and experience Boston with them, but I don't have family in Boston, but for those that do, this seems like a wonderful company to experience Boston with. They are located at 221 Massachusetts Ave.

So, whether you live in Boston or you're just visiting or going to visit, I recommend experience Boston in a way unlike any other, a walking tour. It's a really cool experience that anyone would love. Whether you want to go in a public tour and a lot of people or a private tour with just some close friends and family, both options are wonderful for any time of the year. You'll learn a lot about the history of Boston while hearing enjoyable stories and seeing the most amazing buildings. Walking tours of Boston are absolutely amazing.

Aside from its convenient location especially for travelers coming from the Asia-Pacific region, you will enjoy walking the streets of San Francisco, with its soothing and cool weather that is neither too cold as in winter time in New York nor too hot as in summer time in Texas. The temperature is almost constant at about 50 degrees Fahrenheit all year round. San Francisco is rich in history having been influenced by Spanish civilization and culture for many years. This shows in the images of its landscapes and structures that have been preserved for our generation and the next.

Walk around the streets of San Francisco or take the little cable car for a short down and uphill ride to the city. Either way, you will enjoy the sights of the city. Go to Fisherman's Wharf and feel the chill of the morning fog and the windy sea.

Climate and Weather

The climate for San Francisco is comfortable. There is sunshine 60 out of every 100 possible hours.

San Francisco average annual rainfall is 20.4 inches per year
San Francisco average temperature is 56.8 degrees F.
The average low temperature is 51.1 degrees F.
The average high temperature is 62.6 degrees F.
The average winter temperature is 50 degrees F.
The average spring temperature is 56 degrees F.
The average summer temperature is 59 degrees F.
The average fall temperature is 61 degrees F.

Some of its famous tourist attractions of San Francisco are:

Golden Gate Bridge

Golden Gate Bridge was constructed in 1937. It has a total length of 8,981 feet with a longest span of 4,200 feet. It has a height of 746 feet and a width of 90 feet. The bridge was designed principally by Engineer Joseph Strauss, a University of Cincinnati graduate with the able assistance of Architect Irving Morrow and Charles Alton Ellis. Joseph Strauss led the construction team as Chief Engineer and in-charge of the overall design

and construction of the project in collaboration with the famous bridge Engineer Leon Moisseiff who acted as the principal engineer of the project. Although quite famous during his time as a major participant in the Golden Bridge Design Team, Moiseiff failed in one of his major design works, the Tacoma Narrows Bridge, which collapsed when it was hit by strong windstorm.

During the construction period, Charles Alton Ellis, not being a license engineer, was fired by Strauss because of his constant dependence on Leon Moisseiff on various technical matters. Strauss claimed that he spent too much time and money sending telegrams to Moiseiff to consult him on technical matters. During his time, Ellis became knowledgeable in all aspect of engineering and structural design. He did much of the technical and theoretical work that was contributory to the completion of the bridge. Ellis was a Greek mathematician and scholar who became a professor at the University of Illinois despite his having no engineering degree. After being fired by Strauss, having been obsessed with his work and unable to find work during the depression, continued to work on the project, without pay. He turned in volumes of hand calculations that were very useful to the project.

Strauss downplayed most of the contributions of his construction and design staff, with an eye for self-promotion and posterity. More that 70 years later, the City of San Francisco finally decided to give justice to Charles Alton Ellis, for his efforts and dedication in the design of the bridge, by giving him a major credit for the job as part of the original design team.

Today the Golden Gate Bridge stands as a monument of great achievement of dedicated people who, in one way or another, have contributed immensely to the successful construction of the bridge. Although the bridge is adored as a famous engineering achievement of mankind; it has also its downsides, one of which is the continued and uncontrolled suicides that happen almost every month by those who wish to take their own lives by jumping from the bridge. It is estimated that of the more than 1,200 of those who jump off the bridge, only about 26 survived, the rest dying almost instantly.

Alcatraz

Alcatraz Island is located in the middle of San Francisco Bay area. It has an area of 7.6 hectares. The island was once used as a lighthouse, a military prison and as a Federal prison. Before it became a popular tourist destination that it is today, Alcatraz was a symbol of human cruelty in the guise of justice and social reformation. Alcatraz was a Federal Prison for hardened criminals in the middle of the 19th century. Al Capone the famous American gangster was imprisoned in Alcatraz stayed there for about four years until he was moved to another prison facility due mainly to his failing health. He was later found to have contracted syphilis. Another famous Alcatraz prisoner was Robert Stroud who spent 17 years of his life in prison until his transfer to medical facility in Springfield.

Alcatraz was finally closed as a Federal Prison in 1963 after 29 years in operation. It is now a very popular destination of tourists from all over the world. Today the island has attracted a number of birds as its habitat and breeding ground. Some of the birds and others animal species found in the island include western gulls, black crown night herons, slender salamanders and deer mice.

Fishermans' Wharf

Don't leave San Francisco without first visiting Fisherman's Wharf. It is San Francisco's most popular destination. The place is known for its historic waterfront, restaurants offering mostly sea foods, breathtaking sights of the bay and the island of Alcatraz and a host of other “must see” areas near the Wharf.

Within and nearby Fisherman's Wharf are selections of deluxe and budget hotels for the tired and weary travelers. There are available cable cars that ply the wharf route to downtown shopping area and other interesting parts of the city.

San Francisco Chinatown

The Chinatown in San Francisco is the oldest in America, having been established in the 1850's. San Francisco's Chinatown is so popular that there are sometimes more visitors in the area than in the popular Golden Gate Bridge. Most of the visitors that frequent San Francisco's Chinatown are travelers from the Asia-Pacific Region who are visiting for a couple of days as well as the local Asian residents who buy their daily food needs from the wet section of the market.

The San Francisco Chinatown is filled up with a variety of Chinese as well as Asian Food and general merchandise. There are just too many items of different kinds from all over the world sold at much lower price that those merchandise of the same kind and found in other parts of the city.

Pier 39

San Francisco's Pier 39 is a nice place to visit while in San Francisco. It is a premier bay attraction. A market place with over a hundreds stores, several restaurants and a variety of fun filled attractions for the young and the young at heart. This is also the place where you will find the world-famous Sea Lions. Also found here is the Aquarium of the Bay where you will see at close range a variety of fish species from the ocean deep.

There are other beautiful attractions that San Francisco offers including those found in downtown and in the outskirts of San Francisco

My advice to the first time visitor - please don't leave your heart in San Francisco...

This astonishing castle is situated in the beautiful countryside of County Mayo and is in the heart of Ireland's most spectacular scenery. Ashford was found in 1228 by the Anglo-Norman de Burgo family after they defeated the native O'Connors of Connaught. The de Burgo's built several such castles throughout the province but Ashford remained their principal stronghold. 3D tours and virtual tours of the castle is available on their website.

Dromoland Castle

Dromoland Castle is situated in the west of Ireland just a stone throw away from the mighty Shannon River and the unique rugged landscape of The Burren. Dromoland Castle, one of the most famous baronial castles in Ireland, was the ancestral home of the O'Briens, Barons of Inchiquin, who are one of the few native Gaelic families of royal blood and direct descendants of Brian Boroimhe (Boru) High King of Ireland in the eleventh century. 3D tours of the castle is available on their website.

Ballyseede Castle

Ballyseede Castle is located on its own thirty acres of gardens and woodland in Tralee County Kerry. Ballyseede Castle was the chief garrison of the legendary Fitzgerald's, Earls of Desmond, many of whom refused to swear allegiance to the crown, which resulted in the infamous Geraldine Wars that continued intermittently for three centuries and concluded with the beheading of Gerald, 16th Earl, in the Demesne of Ballyseede and whose head was exhibited in a cage on London Bridge. A picture gallery of the castle is available on their website.

Fanningstown Castle

Fanningstown Castle is situated in the fertile valley of the river Maigue, in Co. Limerick near the picturesque village of Adare. It lies in the barony of Coshma (Coshmagh) which, meaning "Foot of the Plain" or "Bank of the Maigue," describes this location. The area of the barony coincides with the territory of the Celtic people, the Ui Cairbre Aobhdha. For more information on the castle and its history visit their website.

Fitzpatrick Castle

This 18th century castle is situated on the South Dublin coast overlooking Dublin Bay. The park was once part of the estate of Killiney Castle (now Fitzpatrick's Castle Hotel), a prominent residence in the district. The original house, Miunt Mapas, was built in 1740 by Col. John Mapas. The property was owned in turn by a Mr. Maunsell, Henry Loftus, Viscount of Ely, Lord Clonmel and Robert Warren, who in 1840 enlarged the house and called it Killiney Castle. He also restored and added to the monuments on the hill. For a full photo gallery of the castle visit their website.

Glin Castle

This castle is situated in County Limerick which has a rich history. Large pieces of land were given to the great Norman Family, the Fitzgeralds, in Limerick by the Desmond Overlords in the early 14th Century. Out of the Fitzgerald family the so-called knights of Glin was created. For a complete photo gallery of the castle and more of its history visit their website.

Tunstall is located in the West Midlands of United Kingdom. It is one of the bigger towns of Stoke-on-Trent. Tunstall is accessible by air and land transportation. If you are traveling by coach, it will take you less than 4 hours from Victoria Station in Central London. If you are flying in from another country, use Manchester Airport as your entry point. From the airport, it will take you about 40 minutes to Tunstall.

A little over a year ago, I visited some friends and relatives in England who are working in Stoke-on-Trent and nearby cities in Staffordshire. One of my nephews who live in Tunstall volunteered to show me around town and I found some interesting places to visit.

Here are some of them:

Tower Square

Tower Square was built in 1893. It has a clock at the center and built with a yellowish brick. It was built through public subscription in honor of Sir Smith Child, former member of the Staffordshire Parliament.

At the east end of the Tower Square is another historic place, the Tunstall Town Hall which was built in 1885 to replace the old town hall that was demolished in 1882.

Tunstall Town Hall built in 1885

Tunstall being part of the then federated towns of Stoke-on-Trent, now a city known the world over as the pottery capital of the world. A trip to England is not complete without visiting the places where the best pottery products are produced.

Pottery Museum & Art Gallery Hanley Shopping Center

The most progressive among the federated towns of Stoke-on-Trent is Hanley as shown in the above photo. Hanley is about 3o minutes away by coach from Tunstall.

Terraced Housing Tunstall Railway Station

Built in 1848

The terraced housing design as shown in the photo, were used by pottery workers as their housing accommodation during the pottery boom that started in the 17th century. Some of these housing units are still in use today in their original form.

Staffordshire University Campus, Stoke-on-Trent

About 25 klms from Cooktown we could see the ominous peaks of The Black Mountain National Park ahead of us. So many tales have been related over the years regarding these strange granite formations that rise above us on both sides of the highway. Tales of so many people entering this area, never to return. These granite monoliths serve to hide enormous deep caves that are the domain of millions of bats and their ever present predator, the giant python. A few photos taken from The Lookout and we continued the last few klms into our final destination, Cooktown.

We found The Cooktown Hotel in Charlotte Street and entered the front door of this establishment to find a few locals sitting and chatting over their favourite beers. Behind the bar of this famous icon of yesteryear was Merrilee and Rick, our hosts to be, for the duration of our visit. Formalities exchanged we settled into our accommodation and decided to relax in the bar for a few hours after the journey from Cairns. An excellent meal in the Beer Garden later that evening saw us retire to our room for an early night.

Arriving a couple of days prior to The Discovery Festival afforded us the opportunity to drive around and get the feel of the place. So the next morning we set out for The Lookout on Grassy Hill where, 238 years ago, Captain James Cook had stood to contemplate his navigational options whilst looking out over the dangerous reefs. A steep climb to the top and we arrived at the lighthouse. Magnificent views, unchanged, and revealing the difficulties that this great navigator faced in those early years. A sense of pride for a fellow countryman, that rarely surfaces in this author is an invitation to others to take a walk up Grassy Hill.

On leaving Grassy Hill we headed for The James Cook Museum to see artifacts from The Endeavour including the original anchor and one of the ship's cannon. European, Chinese and Aboriginal History also feature in this building.

The Old Bank Museum is another place of interest that we visited to encounter displays of Cooktown and The Palmer River pioneering and gold rush days. At the entrance to The Bank is a bronze bust of Captain James Cook.

The afternoon took us to The Botanical Gardens where Banks and Solander had walked all those years ago. These gardens are probably one of the oldest and historically significant Botanic Gardens in Queensland. Close by we visited The Cooktown Cemetery with it's history of the old characters of the pioneering days.

We decided to retire to the hotel after a long day exploring this old town and relax with a few beers and take in some of The Cooktown Hotel's atmosphere. The "Top Pub" as it is colloquially known by the locals is so aptly named. If it is happening anywhere in Cooktown it is happening at The Cooktown Hotel. Another superb evening meal, an early night, ready for the new day ahead.

Just before 8-00 am on Friday 6th June we headed out to another historical icon of the area. Half an hour later the author and Liz were sitting having a breakfast beer at the bar of the famous Lion's Den. This establishment is a corrugated iron shed that has served the local miners for many a year. It has accommodation on site that I can safely describe as budget, and the lion guarding the font entrance has one eye missing, due quite likely to the departure of an unhappy inebriated patron. The walls inside The Lions Den are completely covered with memorabilia donated by visitors from the past.

Heading back towards Cooktown we decided to take a left on the Hopevale Road and visit the Endeavour Falls. Situated in the Endeavour Falls Tourist Park this area can only be visited on gaining permission of the park proprietors as this area is private property. A short walk from the entrance provided us with photographic opportunities and a short time later we were on our way back to Cooktown. The afternoon was spent relaxing, prior to the Official Opening of The 2008 Discovery Festival being held on the lawns of The James Cook Museum.

Ceremonies over, we elected to return to the hotel for the evenings entertainment featuring "Anthillbillies" a live band from Mount Molloy rather than going on to The Fishing Lease near The Warf for there live music from "Go Troppo". From our balcony looking west across the Endeavour River we took in the sunset and enjoyed a great view of the band performing in the Beer Garden. After a great show we were joined on the balcony by the band who were staying in the hotel for two nights and conversation continued til the early hours of the morning.

Saturday morning arrived and everything was underway with activities including Tai Chi in Endeavour Park and The Sassy Catz Can Can Dancers conducting workshops at The Shire Hall. Craft and Produce Markets were open all day on both Sat. and Sun. as were the Tropical Carnivale Commercial Rides and Sideshows for the kiddies. I decided to pop down to the Warf to catch the arrival of the replica ship "Duyfken" that was visiting for the weekend celebrations. Photos taken, I returned to the hotel to take up our prime position on the balcony to witness The Grand Parade that was to pass by and finish up with prizegiving at The Sovereign Resort Hotel.

The Parade commenced from The Bakery in Charlotte Street led by The Town Crier in historical finery clanging his bell, followed by a Brass Band and numerous floats depicting the art and cultural aspects of life in the early days of Cooktown. Dancing girls and horses all added to this colourful display that wended it's way along Charlotte Street. Our balcony position was ideal to watch the "Truck Pull" outside The Cooktown Hotel following the GrandParade. After teams of six spent the next hour and a half pulling their hearts out, the winners were declared and prizes presented to the victors.

Later that day we collected barramundi and chips from the "Takeaway Fish Shop" at The Warf and retired to our balcony to contemplate another nights entertainment and bed.

Sunday arrived and we decided to try The Cooktown Cafe for breakfast. It was a splendid meal and we were delighted to see Noel Pearson, an Aboriginal Dignitary with his family on an adjacent table. The local crowds from the Cairns area began to arrive in numbers so we decided to make our way to Bicentennial Park to get a front position for The Re-enactment. By 10-30am, the crowds had all congregated at the park and were ready for the Main Event.

The 49th Annual Cooktown Re-enactment began with Aboriginal Warriors entrancing stage left bedecked in tribal warpaint followed by their wives and children. Redcoats followed by Captain James Cook and his entourage entranced stage right. After several minor skirmishes the Aboriginals retreated into the interior to watch the goings on from a safer distance. Preparations for a camp set-up ensued. Timber gathering commenced for the ships cook to prepare a meal. The Botanist Sir Joseph Banks began forays into the bush with his team to collect specimens, and preparations were being made to erect a flagpole so as to hoist The Union Jack on this far away shore.The soldiers looked resplendant in their red and white uniforms, as did Captain James Cook and his officers in navy blue and white.

Finally the time arrived when the soldiers lined up, with muskets raised, in preparation to fire a volley of shots, as the Union Jack was hoisted up the flagpole to be animated by the Cooktown breeze.

The Re-enactment had reached it's finale.

The Captain and his crew made their way to Endeavour Park for the firing of the Cooktown Cannon and to present a public photo opportunity with the cast.

The afternoon was taken up with Billy Cart races down Furneaux Street to the delight of the crowds, and The Tipsy Gypsies greeted the sunset in Bi-CenTennial Park with another performance of their unique style of Belly Dance. 7-00pm arrived and the fireworks display brought the final curtain down on a never to be forgotten visit to Cooktown.

Author: Alf Welch.

Photos of the 2008 Re-enactment can be seen on :---

http://www.queenslandarmchairguide.com/cooktown.html

Photo by the Quail

Sedona is also one of the great Metaphysical hot spots of Arizona. Its energy vortexes have been talked about for many years and its history goes way back to early Native American. The Yavapai-Apache are believed to be the earliest settlers of this area. Many a story has been told by the ancestors of the earliest settlers surrounding the great flood that covered Mother Earth.

The Yavapai Native American people have told the story of the Lady of the Pearl and it is said that they are the descendants of her daughter.

I have found through my researching of the Sedona area that the earliest accounts by the Yavapai concerning their take on the Creation story to be very accurate. They tell of how the Lady of the Pearl was sealed in a great log with a woodpecker along with a great white stone that is believed to have been a pearl. The Lady of the Pearl was sent from another of Arizona's great land marks, Montezuma's Well, at the very beginning of the great flood. She remained sealed in the log for forty days and forty nights. The waters from the rains covered all the land masses and when the water receded, the log came to rest in Sedona. The woodpecker freed the lady from the log and she took with her the Great stone of protection. The woodpecker guided her to the highest peak of Mingus Mountain. She met the sun; they fell in love. She returned to Sedona and bathed in the enchanted waters of Boynton Canyon. Shortly afterwards she gave birth to a daughter, that the Yavapai referred to as the First Lady and mother to its entire people.

Photo by the Quail

Another great point of interest is the many Metaphysical stores that are in the town of Sedona. They carry books, and many different types of semi precious gem stones and it's also the home of many that walk the path of healing. Yes, Sedona is a very enchanted place and it has much to offer anyone that takes the time to visit her.

Sedona is also the home of a well known author, Angel Lightfeather. She is a Spiritual Counselor to many. Her husband is also an Elvis impersonator singer, actor and entertainer. They have one of the many metaphysical, Spiritual shops that are present and thriving well. The thing that caught my attention first and foremost concerning their shop, is the hand painted mural on the stone wall that faces the road. It's a must-stop-by-and-see, if your traveling through Sedona. You can't miss it. Its one of the very first things that catches the eye of the passer-by.

Photo by the Quail

To take a picture does not do it justice, and one would be totally in awe of it, if they were to stop by and view it, for it has taken on a living energy of its own.

There is much to write about and showcase in Sedona. It's fast becoming the vacation hot spot, nestled in the red rock and mountains, with an elevation of 4,326 ft. above sea level. So what you waiting for? Come visit "Beautiful Sedona, Arizona".

Mammoth Lakes resides on the edge of the Long Valley Caldera, a large area that subsided after an enormous eruption 760,000 years ago. In fact the same magma chamber that was the source of the heat that eventually caused this great eruption. Mammoth Lakes enjoys unique opportunities as the Town is entirely surrounded by the Inyo National Forest and is home to the world renowned winter recreation facility of Mammoth Mountain Ski Area and the beauty of the Eastern Sierra. With so many great attractions such as biking, camping, skiing, hiking, swimming and lots more. Mammoth is a great place for a vacation.

Some interesting facts I found out is that the highest peak is 11,053 feet. The town is 24.8 square miles, with a population of 7,093 people. An average snow fall per year is around 395 feet.

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.