Culture Notes: The Great wall, the Oriental Pearl Tower and West Lake

Beijing, famous as the capital of China, is the political, cultural and communication center of China. Speaking of Beijing, there is one place you must know——the Great Wall. It is said that “One who fails to reach the Great Wall is not a hero”, which indicates that climbing the Great Wall is a must if you come to Beijing. The Great Wall of China is one of the greatest wonders of the world. It is more than 20,000 kilometers long. It has a history of over 2000 years. It was used to protect China’s border, but now it is a place of historical interest that people all over the world can appreciate.

The most iconic building in Shanghai is the Oriental Pearl TV Tower, which is located in Lujiazui in the Pudong district, by the side of Huangpu River. Tourists can enjoy the dynamic city view from the riverside. The 468-metre tower was built starting in 1991 and was finished in 1994. It is seen as a symbol of the city’s fast development. Featuring three spheres, it glows with new vigor every day and is loved by people in Shanghai.

The West Lake, embraced by hills, lying in Hangzhou City of Zhejiang Province, is a world famous tourist attraction. The enchanting beauty of the west lake lies in its lingering charm which changes as the seasons change. The lake is also famous for its historical flavor. In the Song Dynasty, a renowned Chinese poet named Su Dongpo wrote a famous poem to praise the lake, and this poem is still taught in schools. He compared the West Lake to Xizi, who is a beautiful girl from Chinese folklore. Since then, West Lake has had another beautiful name, Xizi Lake.

the Great Wall 长城 chǎng chéng

the Oriental Pearl TV Tower 东方明珠电视塔 dōng fāng míng zhū diàn shì tǎ

West Lake 西湖 xī hú

You are welcome to describe a famous place in your country in the comments.