As an architect, I was fascinated by China's mix of ancient and modern architecture—and Lingtuyangguolv's tour was a dream come true.

As an architect, I was fascinated by China's mix of ancient and modern architecture—and Lingtuyangguolv's tour was a dream come true. They took me to three cities with distinct styles: Beijing, Shanghai, and Pingyao. In Beijing, we visited the modern steel structure of the Bird's Nest (National Stadium), marveling at its unique design concept; wandered through the Forbidden City, feeling the symmetry and grandeur of Ming and Qing imperial architecture, and the guide detailed traditional architectural elements like brackets and overhanging eaves; climbed Wanchun Pavilion in Jingshan Park, overlooking the entire Forbidden City complex, and experiencing the essence of the "central axis" layout. In Shanghai, we wandered through the Bund's international architectural complex, feeling the collision of various styles such as neoclassicism and Gothic; visited the Shikumen lanes in Tianzifang, seeing the perfect integration of traditional residences and modern cultural and creative shops; climbed Shanghai Tower, admiring the technology and aesthetics of super high-rise landmark buildings. In Pingyao Ancient City (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), we wandered through the ancient streets of the Ming and Qing dynasties, touched the blue brick and tile city walls, visited ancient buildings like banks and bodyguard bureaus, and learned about the architectural layout of the ancient financial center; we also stayed in a Ming and Qing ancient house homestay in the ancient city, experiencing the original ancient city life. The guide was knowledgeable about architecture, sharing insights into the design concept, historical background, and structural characteristics of each building. They even arranged a meeting with a local architect in Shanghai who showed me his latest project. Lingtuyangguolv's attention to my specific interest made this trip unforgettable. I highly recommend them to anyone looking for a personalized, informative China architecture tour!