China has a very long history that stretches back more than 3,000 years, which now is well-known for being rich in history and was filled with dynasties. Even now, travelers can come and go and explore those architectural marvels in the form of palaces. Here are some of the must-visit palaces if you ever happen to visit China.

One of the must-visit palaces with a long history and culture, Th Forbidden City is the largest complex in the world which once acted as home to 24 emperors during the Ming and Qing dynasties.

This exceptional palace is part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is known for the details, grand halls, and massive courtyards that offer a glimpse into the lives of Chinese emperors along with their courts. It is now becoming one of the most popular tourist attractions in China with over 800 buildings nestled inside the complex, yellow roofs that symbolize imperial power, and well-known as the largest wooden structure in the world.

If you plan on visiting this massive complex of The Forbidden City and looking for a private tour along with a guide that will guide you through the area. In that case, you might want to check on this Traveloka Page which offers priority access to the Forbidden City and private guides that will handle all your ticket arrangements, which allow you to focus on areas based on your personal preferences whether it is the architecture, history, art, or hidden gems within the palace complex.

Another Gem nestled in Beijing offers a tranquil escape with vast gardens, serene lakes, and ornate buildings that are designed for relaxation and leisure. Different from the Forbidden City, The Summer Palace is built as a retreat for emperors during the Qing dynasty.

This UNESCO World Heritage Site is well known for its blend of natural escapes together with a man-made structure where visitors can explore the serene Kunming Lake, the heart of the palace, and Longevity Hill decorated with numerous pavilions and temples. Not only that, it is also housing iconic landmarks such as the Seventeen-Hole Bridge. To your surprise, this specific palace also features theaters, gardens with rare plants, and a marble boat which is a beautiful European-inspired building on Kunming Lake.

The same with The Forbidden City, Traveloka has a private tour package for those of you who plan to visit this place in a group and looking for a guide who will accompany you during your explorations through this Guinness World Records palace for housing the longest covered corridor in the whole world.

Standing strong above Lhasa, The Potala Palace is a perfect place for people who want to know more and have an interest in Tibetan Buddhist culture and history. It once was a winter residence of the Dalai Lamas from the 17th century, and now it is a part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site that boasts its marvelous architecture that combines religious and political influence.

The Potala Palace is a massive building that is built on the side of the Red Hill mountain and consists of two different palaces which are White Palace and Red Palace. The Red Palace housed the chapels, and religious treasures and acted as the tomb of the Dalai Lamas, While the White Palace served as the living quarters and the administrative offices. This palace truly offers a glimpse into the Tibetan culture and history that can be seen in the artworks, sculptures, and Tibetan scroll paintings with Buddhist themes and stories.

Suppose you would like to have a complete tour where you get to fully experience Lhasa along with its culture and historical sites such as The Polata Palace, Norbulingka Palace, Jokhang Temple, Drepung Monastery, Sera Monastery, and Barkhor Street. In that case, it is recommended for you to book the tour on this link to make your travel much more efficient and complete.

Another palace that still stands strong to this day, since Wing Dynasty history with Manchurian architecture, The Mukden Palace which is also known as the Shenyang Imperial Palace is another must-visit historical place related to the royal family in ancient China. Different from The Forbidden City which was made for the later Qing Emperor, Mukden Palace once served as the political center for the first three Qing Emperors and played an important role in the dynasty’s rise to power.

The Palace complex is divided into three areas based on its construction history. The first one would be the eastern area which was built by the first emperor consisting of the Dazheng Hall, The central area was built by the second emperor of the Qing dynasty and houses some of the ornate buildings, and last but not least is the western area that includes the elegant Wenshuo Pavilion.

This palace which is also a part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site is recognized for its historical as well as cultural importance which is said as one of the extensions of the Imperial Palace of the Ming and Qing Dynasties in Beijing. This place would truly ring you with the unique perspective on the Wing Dynasty period when it was in power.

It might not precisely a palace where the imperial family lived or had a vacation, but this stunning temple was being acknowledged and being respected by the imperial family. You can see that there is some indirect influence from Confucius and his teachings through the Government of the Chinese Emperor throughout the year. In the past, Emperors along with government officials have historically visited Confucian temples to perform ceremonies to honor the Confucious, which is an act of respect for Confucian ideals and their legitimacy as rulers.

Here is the list of palaces that you can visit where most of them are included as UNESCO World Heritage and are worth visiting, especially if you got some interest in China's history along with the unique architecture, and culture. If you would like to visit China soon, Traveloka is more than happy to help you book some hotel accommodations, flight tickets, and tourist destinations that are mentioned before along with a guide that will help you throughout your journey through the ancient history of China. Besides giving the best price, Traveloka also often gives out some discounts and promotions! What are you waiting for? Grab yours fast!