An enormous effigy of the goddess of compassion hides within the sanctuary.

Once an imperial lake garden, anyone can now visit this city park.

A prestigious learning institute of old Shanghai.

An ancient Chinese temple where even the emperor dressed like a farmer in the name of the harvest.

This former textile district now is now a thriving center for contemporary Chinese art.

This smaller cousin of the Forbidden City has gone from ancestral sacrifice to tourist's whispers.

The earliest pagoda built in the beautiful Panmen Scenic Area of Suzhou.

This bridge dates back to the 9th century and allows visitors to walk an ancient path amid modern industrial trappings.

Although resembling a grand Buddhist temple, this structure is actually the largest mosque in China.

An exquisite example of Uyghur Islamic architecture.

An ancient fortification lives on in this Chinese city.

One of the word's deepest gorges is also tied to a fantastic legend.

These excavated burials from the Tarim Basin are wrapped in mystery.

Two nearly identical Chinese pagodas stand side by side, along with ancient stone relics.

Thanks to a bit of wordplay, seven auspicious stone cats guard this ancient canalside street.

Be careful not to get trampled at this lively two thousand-year-old market.

Natives of this mud-brick desert village use an ancient irrigation system to grow sweet, seedless grapes.

This weekly market in the remote oasis city of Hotan still has the atmosphere of the old Silk Road.

The ancient remains of this natural fortress can still be found along the Silk Road looking surprisingly preserved.

This ancient sword lay in a waterlogged tomb for 2,500 years, but managed to remain relatively untarnished and impressively sharp.

The western-most fortress on the Great Wall of China has gone from a strategic stronghold to a kitschy tourist carnival.

Stone shrouds of Prince Liu Sheng and Princess Dou Wan of the Han Dynasty, created to preserve their flesh for eternity.

A giant scale model giving a sneak peek at what urban planners see for Shanghai by 2020.

Hundreds of caves filled with thousands of centuries-old statues and murals.