China between Past and Future

Shanghai, one of the most famous cities in China. Once called the 'Paris of the East' but today known as the 'Pearl of the East', it lies at the centre of China's economic, cultural and commercial growth and is a city projected into the future at an impressive pace. An ancient Chinese saying goes "in the sky there is paradise and on earth there is Suzhou" and not by chance: Suzhou, a city in the province of Jiangsu that rises on the shores of Lake Taihu, has always been synonymous with beauty and harmony. It was also appreciated by Marco Polo who, when he visited it in 1276, described it as "a noble and rich city, graced by more than 6000 bridges". Beijing, the capital of the People's Republic of China, is the political, cultural, scientific and economic centre of the nation.

Defended by the longest and most fascinating city wall in the world, its historical, cultural and political supremacy dates back about six centuries, offering countless historical monuments and ancient architectures to visit. If China is a dragon, Beijing is its heart.