5) Beijing, China
Over-crowded streets, pollution, and a general indifference towards visitors makes Beijing a less-than welcoming place to visit. The Chinese capital of over 20 million people is massive, to say the least. The “every man for himself” attitude can feel especially isolating for foreigners. Should this deter travelers from discovering one of the biggest metropolitan areas in the world? Definitely not. Lying just north of Beijing is The Great Wall of China, one of the world’s most recognizable monuments. Tianamen Square is right up there with Time Square and Red Square as a famous city center. The Imperial Palace (also known as the Forbidden City), housed the Ming and Qing dynasties for 500 years. It continues to be a revered place in Beijing. The sprawling grounds and endless corridors, halls, squares, and quarters means setting aside the better part of the day to fully explore it.
