It’s easy to be dazzled by modern Shanghai with its glassy towers and almost futuristic feel, or steadfast Beijing set around Tiananmen Square where Chinese politics has unfolded over the last few hundred years, but Chinese culture can digs much, much deeper. In fact it has more than 5,000 years of calligraphy, poetry, philosophy, raising and falling dynasty, ceramics and art, engineering and innovation that predated much of Europe’s development. To really understand the depth of Chinese society and its achievements, you must visit some of their other ancient capitals (there have been 8 besides Beijing) and take a wondrous journey back in time. If you are thinking of using an agency to travel, there are many to consider, such as Wendy Wu China holidays.Xi’an
Xi'an is one of these former capitals and has over 3000 years of history but today its main claim to fame is the terracotta soldiers. These tens of thousands of life size sculptures, each unique in its face and gestures were created under the reign of Emperor Quin Shihuang (from who China gets its name today). They were unearthed accidently by a farmer in 1974 and are considered the most profound archeological discover of the 20th century. Other memorable sites in the city include the First Emperor's Tomb, Shaanxi History Museum and the Forest of Stele Museum.
Hangzhou
When Marco Polo visited Hangzhou in the late 13th century , he described it as ‘beyond dispute the finest and the noblest in the world’. It’s rambling but delicately balanced architecture and gardens were an imperial landscaped retreat for the emperors of Beijing, but it was also capital of China during the Southern Song Dynasty (1127–1279). Visit the lovely Song Dynasty Town, the Grand Canal that links Hangzhou with Beijing and the National Tea Museum.
Anyang
Anyang is considered a key starting point of the continuous culture we identify today as Chinese. There are primitive caves that date back 25,000 laying adjacent to mausoleums of ancient Emperor Zhuanxu and Emperor Ku. You can also see the first library which contains inscriptions on bones and tortoise shells and the first ancient Buddhist Temple in Henan, the Soul Spring Temple. Anyang is set in among stunning mountain scenery too.
Kaifeng
Kaifeng was founded in 364 B.C. during the Warring States period and shortly after the first of its many canals was constructed linking it to the legendary Yellow River. It has been destroyed by natural disaster, plagues and war many times and rebuilt. Miraculously numerous pagodas from different eras have survived such as the Youguosi Pagoda or Iron Pagoda which was constructed in 1049 and measures an astounding 54.7 metres (179 ft) in height and the astronomical clock tower engineered between 1020–1101 AD which used an escapement mechanism two hundred years before clock mechanism were invented in Europe. Other attractions include the Song Dynasty Quarter, Dragon Pavilion and the Guildhall.
