Despite its name meaning 'New Bridge', Pont Neuf is actually Paris’s oldest bridge over the Seine, dating back to the 16th century. It’s also a great starting point to explore some of the city’s most famous sights. From here, you can easily wander around Île de la Cité to visit the Conciergerie, the old royal palace turned prison, and the stunning Sainte-Chapelle with its incredible stained glass windows. Just across the river lies the Louvre Museum, while a short walk takes you to the peaceful Place Dauphine, a hidden gem of a square. And, of course, the iconic Notre-Dame Cathedral is also close by.

Liulichang, whose name means 'Glazed Tile Factory', started as a hub for Beijing’s literati and artisans and remains a centre for traditional arts and culture. The 750-metre street is full of shops selling Chinese paintings, calligraphy brushes, ink stones, antiques, and rare books — perfect for collectors or anyone curious about traditional crafts. Restored and expanded in the late 1980s, it’s a good place to wander slowly, soak up the old-school atmosphere, and maybe pick up a souvenir that feels genuinely local.

Built in the early 1400s, around the same time as the Forbidden City, the Temple of Heaven was where emperors prayed for good harvests. The vast park contains several ceremonial buildings, the most striking being the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests with its blue-tiled roof and intricate wooden ceiling. The original hall was destroyed by lightning in 1889 but rebuilt soon after. Other highlights include the Hall of Abstinence, where emperors fasted before rituals, and the Circular Mound Altar — a three-tiered marble platform symbolising heaven itself. Today, the park is as much about everyday life as it is about history: locals gather here in the mornings for tai chi, dancing, and music.

The Centre Pompidou stands out with its bold, high-tech design — pipes and escalators on the outside make it hard to miss. Inside, you’ll find Europe’s largest modern art museum, a big public library, and a hub for music and sound research. When it was built, many Parisians hated it for clashing with the classic city vibe, and its construction meant knocking down the famous Les Halles market nearby. Now, it’s a lively spot for art lovers and anyone curious about something a bit different.