Beautiful China 2018

See my 12-day journey through China in less than 20 minutes! Watch a close up view of the people and places that make China the unique nation it is today, including the Forbidden City, Great Wall, Terracotta Army, Summer Palace, Temple of Heaven and Grand Buddah. I visited government-owned major factories for jade, pearls, silk and embroidery, and the most important tea plantation. I rode on the world's only magnet train - the fastest on Earth as it levitates above the tracks, and saw the Bird's Nest at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Center. I walked along the Bund, saw extraordinary architecture, building booms, shopping in Shanghai and the exotic Muslim Market in Xi'an. Amazing theatrical and dance shows, dining in restaurants and a private home, rickshaw ride through back neighborhoods. Took walks and boat rides in beautiful parks including West Lake in Hangzhou and the Grand Canal of the water town in Suzhou, known as the Oriental Venice. Every square inch of all public spaces under the scrutiny of government security cameras. So much to see and do, and no time to do it all. An extraordinary visit. Photos by Elaine Fitzgerald