The ancient capital of China holds a treasure of more than 51,000 stone Buddha reliefs and figures. Carved into the mountain wall, they range from thumb-size to 17 meters colossuses. The variations are dazzling: sitting, standing, dancing, colourful, worn and smiling Buddhas, Originally all covered, the sandstone has washed away in places leaving the huge Buddha in the blazing sun. These are the oldest stone carvings in China. Monks have carved the many figures as part of meditation in the secluded caves. Here you may come to terms with the concept of the "thousand Buddhas", symbolizing the Buddha's omnipresence through time and space. The surrounding area is covered in coal-dust, true mining-China.

Normally we don't do zoos here at GlobeSpots, but this is one of a kind (especially in China, where animal wellness is as rare as the Panda). They only do pandas here, where the Giant is the main attraction (the other one is the smaller and less famous Red Panda). The pandas are enclosed based on age and the younger ones are clearly the most active. In the nursery (officially named the Jungle Gym) it's possible in autumn to see the newly born and they are not just cute, but super cute. Through out the garden well-meant signs state odd slogans such as "Wildlife is not food". But it's all part of the Panda experience.

A Tibetan monastery initiated for more than 300 hundreds years ago by the fifth Dalai Lama. Today it's a massive Buddhism complex, where more than 600 monks live and study. In the morning you can sometimes catch the debating lessons outside on the square, where the novices in lotus position are tested in their ability to answer philosophical questions delivered in a clapping manner by their friends. It's not in the province of Tibet (TAR), so no special permission is need to go here.

Sky burial is a Tibetan custom for giving back the earthly remains after death, when the soul has left the body for reincarnation. The body is simply sliced open and offered to waiting vultures that rip the flesh from the bones within minutes. Afterwards the bones, along with the skull and brain, are smashed to pieces with an axe and mixed with barley flour and again offered to the still waiting vultures. Besides being a mind blowing experience (and not for the faint hearted) it's also a very rare opportunity to get close to these monster birds of prey, some of them very rare (such as Black and Bearded vultures). Remember this is not a tourist attraction and an invitation should be to obtained before attending. (The picture was taken with permission from the descendants).

Under the broad boulevards of Beijing exists a system of tunnels that Chairman Mao order dug out in the late 70's in the event of a Russian attack. The whole system should be longer than the Chinese wall (5000 km) and some wide enough for the Chairman's limo. It seems that these tunnels are long forgotten by the Chinese themself, and rumours are that Chinese tourists are not even allowed in them. More the reason to visit them, if not for the history then just the absurdity of them.