Xiaoyan Pagoda (Small Wild Goose Pagoda) is shorter than its larger counterpart, the Dayan Pagoda (Giant Wild Goose Pagoda), but it boasts more floors. Built around 700 AD, like the Dayan Pagoda, it was primarily constructed to house the sacred Buddhist scriptures brought to China by the famous monk Xuanzang.

Reopened at the very site of its original discovery, the ruins of this Roman Temple of Mithras are open for public visits in the basement of Bloomberg's European headquarters at number 12 Walbrook. There are also a few other exhibitions that include both historic artefacts and contemporary artwork. Entrance is free of charge.

The Emperor Qinshihuang's Mausoleum Site Museum is home to the world-famous Terracotta Army, built to protect China's first emperor, Qin Shi Huang, in the afterlife. Crafted more than 2,200 years ago, the army consists of thousands of life-sized clay soldiers, chariots, and horses, each with distinct facial features and expressions. The incredible level of detail and preservation means that, even after over two millennia, these warriors still stand guard over their long-deceased ruler.

Princes Street Gardens is a dramatic swathe of greenery in Edinburgh’s very centre, directly beneath Castle Rock. These twin parks — East and West — were created in the 1820s after the draining of the polluted Nor Loch, a medieval defensive lake. They are separated by The Mound, an artificial hill formed from excavation debris during the New Town’s construction. The West Garden is larger and home to the Ross Bandstand, a stage for summer concerts and Hogmanay celebrations. Near The Mound entrance, the intricate Floral Clock blooms with a new design each year since 1903. More than just a scenic shortcut, the gardens are a testament to city-making: a Victorian solution to urban blight that became one of Edinburgh’s most beloved civic spaces, perfect for a stroll, a picnic, or simply admiring the iconic views.