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.

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.

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.

Big Ben is located to the north of London's Collegiate Church of St. Peter in Westminster atop a 98-meter-tall clock tower. The clock face is brightly illuminated whenever the Houses of Parliament are in session. The giant clock represents England's classic culture. It is a landmark of the City of London and a source of pride for the people of England. Whenever London is used as the setting for a film, you can be absolutely certain to catch a glimpse of Big Ben. Although it is commonly known as Big Ben, the clock tower was renamed Elizabeth Tower in honor of Queen Elizabeth’s Diamond Jubilee in 2012.