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China
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The Great Wall. The Yangtze River. The Forbidden City. China is a country rich with intrigue, natural wonders and magical charm. Lavish palaces and pagodas await your discovery here alongside ancient marvels like the terra-cotta warriors and the Ming Tombs. Nowhere is the juxtaposition of old and new more poignant than in China, where the cosmopolitan cities of Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong are surrounded by sights and cultural traditions dating back thousands of years. HistoryA history spanning more than 5,000 years is not easily summarized. It should be noted, however, that while we tend to separate Western and Eastern civilizations, much of what we enjoy in our modern world originated here in China-from noodles and ice cream to fireworks, opera and philosophy. China was a land ruled by Dynasties from 211 B.C. until Nationalist Party leader Sun Yat-sen toppled the rule of the Manchu Dynasty in 1911. The twentieth century was a period of chaos in China, rife with power struggles and cultural suppression. More recently, the handover of Hong Kong and Macau have ushered in a more forward-thinking China with an eye on unity and economic growth. Recent successes include China's involvement in the World Trade Organization and its successful bid for the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. Fast Facts
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