China's tourism industry has become one of the hot spots in the country's already sizzling economy. As the country becomes increasingly 'tourist-friendly' with improvements to infrastructure and transportation, especially at major tourist sites, the number of overseas visitors to China grows each year.

China possesses a near inexhaustible supply of unique attractions for the traveler to enjoy. China boasts vast terrain, splendid landscapes, rich cultures, multiple nationalities and ethnic backgrounds with various customs and exquisite arts and crafts. The possibilities for exploration and enjoyment are endless. Moreover, with the diversity of Chinese cooking, a visitor is guaranteed to find something that suits his or her appetite.

What follows is a brief outline of the must-see sights when making a trip to China.

Mount Everest:

Rising to an altitude of 8848.13 meters from the Turpan Basin, which is 155 meters below sea level. It has an total height of 9003 meters, which makes Mount Everest is the tallest mountain in the world.

Hengduan Mountains:

Extreme fluctuations in the topography of the area have led to such descriptions as, "the climate differs every ten miles" and "four seasons coexist on one mountain" �C apt descriptions as valleys covered in monsoon rainforest occur alongside alpine peaks covered in snow and ice.

Peking Man:

Though China is famous for being one of the birthplaces of human civilization, it is also known for its rich Paleolithic history. The discovery of Peking Man at Zhoukoudian on the outskirts of Beijing confirmed the existence of hominids older than Neanderthals, and brought international research into the beginnings of man to China.

Terra Cotta Warriors and Bronze Chariots:
Known as the eighth wonder of the world, the Terra Cotta Warriors and Bronze Chariots of Xian were built to accompany the first emperor of China into the afterlife and took 700,000 laborers 36 years to build. They now attract millions of visitors annually.

Mogao Grottoes:

Located near Dunhuang, the Mogao Grottoes are a collection of Buddhist cave temples whose walls are covered in beautiful, well-preserved murals and statues. Some caves have thousands of exquisitely painted Buddhas lining the walls inside.

The Great Wall:

One of the grandest construction feats in the history of the world, the Great Wall winds for 6700 kilometers (4163 miles) across deserts, grasslands, mountains, and plateaus maintaining a height of 15-20 feet, and a width of up to 25 feet.

Minority Cultures:

China is home to 56 ethnic groups, each with its own history and culture.