Once home to China’s emperors, the Forbidden City has more than 800 buildings and nearly 10,000 rooms. This vast imperial household opened to the public in 1949, and it’s remarkably well-preserved. The Hall of Supreme Harmony, covered in thousands of dragon motifs, hosted grand ceremonies, while the Palace of Heavenly Purity was where emperors lived, with bedrooms and private halls. Walking through the courtyards and along the red walls, it’s easy to feel the scale and ritual of life here.

Sitting on the east side of Tiananmen Square, the National Museum of China is one of the largest museums in the world, covering both Chinese history and art, from ancient artefacts to modern works. The exhibitions are vast, so you could easily spend a full day here, though most visitors focus on a few sections that interest them. English signage is available in key areas, but a guide or audio tour can help make sense of the collection.

The Al Hashemi Marine Museum is a unique tribute to Kuwait's seafaring heritage, centred around the monumental Al-Hashemi-II. Recognised by the Guinness World Records as the largest wooden dhow ever built, this colossal, land-based ship is the museum's primary exhibit. While the vessel itself now serves as a banquet hall, its sheer scale offers a powerful impression of traditional shipbuilding. The surrounding museum complex displays intricate dhow models and maritime artefacts, creating a compelling destination for understanding the nation's deep-rooted connection to the sea.

The divine white-sand beach was once believed to be washed over by waters with strong curative properties. Today, over a century later, the possible medicinal effect has been eclipsed by its popularity with leisure vacationers, either idling in the sun or engaging in water sports (equipment available for hire).