Xian

     If one visits China, a stop in Xian is imperative.  While most places you visit in Beijing will be about 600 years old (because of so much building by the Ming Dynasty), most things you see in Xian will be 3-5 times older.  It was the capitol of China for many of the most important Dynasties including the Qin Dynasty (pronounced Chin) which was the first dynasty to unite all of the Chinese kingdoms therefore effective under the rule of the first Emperor. Prior dynasties were basically kings of their respective provinces until united in 221 BC.