China's tourism has seen explosive growth over the last thirty years. In 1978 only about 200,000 foreign tourists visited the country but nearly fifty million Chinese tourist visas were issued in 2006. The country is on an aggressive program to upgrade their transportation system and luxury accommodations to cater to this huge influx of foreign visitors.

As home to one of the oldest civilizations on Earth, the country offers a bewildering array of attractions to the new tourist. Here are a few of the most popular destinations for people with China tourist visas.

The Great Wall

This is such an obvious choice that it's almost not worth including on the list. It is the most popular destination for holders of Chinese tourist visas, in part because it is such a huge construction that no matter where you are staying some part of the wall is nearby.

The Great Wall is actually a collection of many massive defensive fortifications that span over 4,000 miles and were constructed, expanded and maintained for over two thousand years. Today much of the wall is in disrepair either through neglect or having been mined as sources of stone by nearby villages. However many carefully preserved sections exist near Beijing and other tourist centers.

The Forbidden City

Located in the heart of Beijing, just north of Tiananmen Square, was the seat of Chinese imperial power for five hundred years. After the abdication and eviction of Puyi, the last Emperor of China, it housed the Palace Museum. Since then the Palace Museum has survived major events including World War II and the Chinese Civil war to become a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Forbidden City is the largest standing palace complex in the world, covering nearly 180 acres of land. It contains over one million art object including collections of fine porcelain, paintings and jade pieces. It also has an extensive collection of ancient books and documents. The palace itself is a stunning example of Chinese architecture.

Three Gorges Dam

Although the country boasts countless historical and artistic attractions for holders of Chinese tourist visas, China is also one of the world's leading industrial nations as well. There are plenty of more modern attractions that illustrate the country's continued importance as a world power.

The Three Gorges Dam is the largest dam and the largest hydroelectric power station in the world and the Yangtze River that it spans is the third longest in the world. Although construction officially began in 1994 the original plans go back as far as 1919. The hydroelectric station has been operational since 2003 but construction is ongoing and the entire facility is not expected to be finished until 2011.

A Chinese tourist visa opens up a breathtaking world. It is a ticket to a civilization that has spanned over five thousand years. Whether you are interesting in ancient culture or modern construction marvels, the country has much to offer.

Author is a freelance copywriter. For more information on Chinese tourist visa, visit http://www.OasisChinaVisa.com