Walks In China: ‘Xi’an City Wall And Giant Wild Goose Pagoda’ (4K Video)

When Zhu Yuanzhang, the first Emperor of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), captured Huizhou, a hermit named Zhu Sheng admonished him that he should ‘built high walls, store abundant food supplies and take time to be an Emperor,’ so that he could fortify the city and unify the other states. After the establishment of the Ming dynasty, Zhu Yuanzhang followed his advice and began to enlarge the wall built initially during the old Tang dynasty (618 -907), creating the modern Xian City Wall. It’s the most complete city wall that has survived in China, as well being one of the largest ancient military defensive systems in the world.

As the symbol of the old-line Xi’an, Giant Wild Goose Pagoda (also called Big Wild Goose Pagoda) is a well-preserved ancient building and a holy place for Buddhists. It is located in the southern suburb of Xi’an City, about 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) from the downtown of the city. Standing in the Da Ci’en Temple complex, it attracts numerous visitors for its fame in the Buddhist religion and its simple but appealing style of construction. Giant Wild Goose Pagoda is rated as a National Key Cultural Relic Preserve as well as an AAAA Tourist Attraction.

Aerial Travel: ‘Cities, Landscape & Landmarks Of Germany’ (8K Video)

Germany is a Western European country with a landscape of forests, rivers, mountain ranges and North Sea beaches. It has over 2 millennia of history. Berlin, its capital, is home to art and nightlife scenes, the Brandenburg Gate and many sites relating to WWII. Munich is known for its Oktoberfest and beer halls, including the 16th-century Hofbräuhaus. Frankfurt, with its skyscrapers, houses the European Central Bank.

Sunday Morning Podcast: Latest News From Zurich, Hong Kong & London

The weekend’s biggest points of discussion are dissected by Tyler Brûlé, Solène Léger, Florian Egli and Marcus Kraft, with commentary from our editors in London and Hong Kong. Plus: Israel’s ‘Haaretz’ newspaper.

Winter Walks: ‘Arc de Triomphe & Champs-Élysées In Paris’ (Video)

Paris Snowfall 2021 – Arc de triomphe de l’Étoile , Avenue des Champs-Élysées Video filmed , January 16, 2021.

The Arc de Triomphe de l’Étoile is one of the most famous monuments in Paris, France, standing at the western end of the Champs-Élysées at the centre of Place Charles de Gaulle, formerly named Place de l’Étoile—the étoile or “star” of the juncture formed by its twelve radiating avenues. 

Views: ‘Reptiles’ (8K Video)

Reptiles are a class of vertebrates made up mostly of snakes, turtles, lizards, and crocodilians. These animals are most easily recognized by their dry, scaly skin. Almost all reptiles are cold-blooded, and most lay eggs—though some, like the boa constrictor, give birth to live young. Instead of possessing gills like fish or amphibians, reptiles have lungs for breathing.

Hiking Tours: ‘Wheeler Peak Summit – Great Basin National Park’ (Video)

Great Basin National Park is in eastern Nevada near the Utah border. It’s in the Great Basin Desert and contains most of the South Snake mountains. In the north, the mountain-hugging Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive leads to towering Wheeler Peak. Nearby is one of several ancient bristlecone pine groves. The marble Lehman Caves have distinctive stalactites and other formations. Park wildlife includes bighorn sheep. 

Aerial Travel: ‘Melbourne – Australia’ (4k Video)

Melbourne is the coastal capital of the southeastern Australian state of Victoria. At the city’s centre is the modern Federation Square development, with plazas, bars, and restaurants by the Yarra River. In the Southbank area, the Melbourne Arts Precinct is the site of Arts Centre Melbourne – a performing arts complex – and the National Gallery of Victoria, with Australian and indigenous art.

Walking Tour: ‘American Revolution Landmarks In New York City’ (Video)

New York City LIVE: Downtown Manhattan in the American Revolution with Karen Q’s Patriot Tours.

Karen Q is a Revolutionary War and Founding Era historian. She is the author of Theodosia Burr: Teen Witness to the Founding of a New Nation, 21st Century Imprints, Lerner Books. She also appears in area Revolutionary War reenactments as “Mrs. Q”. Karen is a regular cast member of the Travel Channel’s *Mysteries at the Museum* and has appeared on more than twenty episodes. You can see a full list of episodes here.

Business: ‘LEGO – A $38 Billion Toy Empire’ (Video)

The LEGO brick may not look like much but it is the cornerstone of the $38.5 billion Danish company. Today, LEGO’s blockbuster portfolio includes collaborations with The Beatles, Star Wars, and Frozen, a mega-hit movie franchise and 8 LEGOland theme parks. A toy that was once thought of for little boys is seeing its largest growth coming from girls and adults. But in the early 2000s, the company made several missteps and came extremely close to declaring bankruptcy. Here’s how LEGO reclaimed its status as one of the most successful toy companies in the world.

Walking Tour: ‘Dortmund – Germany’ (4K Video)

Dortmund is a city in Germany’s North Rhine-Westphalia region. It’s known for its Westfalen Stadium, home to the Borussia soccer team. Nearby Westfalen Park is marked by the Florian Tower, with its observation platform. The Dortmund U-Tower is topped by a huge letter U and houses Museum Ostwall’s contemporary art exhibits. Rombergpark botanical garden has local trees and greenhouses with cacti and tropical plants. 

News, Views and Reviews For The Intellectually Curious