London

The British Museum is one of the three greatest museums in the world. It features a rich collection of rare works. The museum was the first to display the Rosetta Stone in its Egyptian Hall. The stone stele is inscribed with a decree in three different languages, and was the invaluable key to understanding language and culture in ancient Egypt. In addition, there are more than 23,000 Chinese relics housed here, the likes of which are rare even in Beijing’s Forbidden City or the National Palace Museum in Taipei.

Westminster Abbey is also called the Collegiate Church of St. Peter at Westminster. Its status as a Church of England “Royal Peculiar” means it is used exclusively by the British royal family. No other church in England is as important and it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Since 1066, nearly all important royal ceremonies have been held here. It served as the wedding venue for Prince William and Duchess Kate Middleton. Furthermore, the royal tombs of England are located here. Apart from members of the royal family, many important historical figures such as Sir Isaac Newton, Charles Darwin, Winston Churchill and, most recently, Stephen Hawking are also buried here.

Buckingham Palace has been the official residence of the British royal family since the 19th century. Currently, it is the London location in which the Queen spends most of her time. The palace is splendid both inside and outside. Some of the more than 600 rooms in the palace include the Throne Room, White Drawing Room, Ballroom and Picture Gallery. At the gates of Buckingham Palace, the Changing the Guard (or Guard Mounting) ceremony by the Queen's Guard takes place at 11 a.m. most days of the week. It attracts and interests tourists from around the world. Marching with great pomp and precision to military music and shouted orders, the guards—dressed in traditional red coats and bearskin hats—do a drill performance and salute.

The London Eye is also known as the Millennium Wheel and was built to usher in the new millennium. This giant ferris wheel sits on the South Bank of the River Thames and has become one of the London skyline's landmarks. It is currently the most popular tourist attraction in London, hosting over 3.75 million visitors every year. Sitting in a capsule on the London Eye, visitors enjoy a bird’s-eye view of the city of London spread out below. Once night begins to fall, the area surrounding the Eye transforms into a fantastical dreamscape. Taking a ride in the London Eye at sunset paints an unforgettable picture of the gorgeous city.