Manual on elective ii - theme parks and attractions

Ancient monuments and historic buildings
11
Theme Parks and Attractions
The world has buildings that have long histories and are of architectural value which
provide an attractive setting for sightseeing. Although some of these buildings
continue to perform their original functions, some may have been converted into
homes, shops, offices, even hotels. Examples:
• The Old Supreme Court, Hong Kong SAR – home of the Legislative Council
• Western Market, Hong Kong SAR – converted to a specialised textile retail
centre with restaurants
• Fullerton Hotel, Singapore – converted former post office
Archaeological sites
People are interested in the study of the pre- or early history of mankind. Sites that
are rich in archaeological value usually attract visitors from around the world.
Examples are:
• The Acropolis, Athens, Greece – sacred rock outcrop which houses the
Parthenon temple developed around the 5th century BC
• Angkor Wat, Siem Reap, Cambodia – state temple and capital complex of
the 12th century Khmer empire
• Terracotta Warriors, Xian, China – tomb of the Emperor Qinshihuang (who
reigned from 221-207BC) which houses thousands of life-sized terracotta
statues of soldiers and horses
• Lei Cheng Uk Han Tomb, Hong Kong SAR – an early Han tomb that dates
back about 2,000 years
Cathedrals and temples
Cathedrals and temples serve as places of worship and, over time, they may become
attractions due to their size and importance in a particular destination. Examples
include:
• Saint Peter’s Basilica, The Vatican – one of the most sacred sites and the
largest Catholic Church completed in the 15th century
• Westminster Abbey in London, UK – Anglican Church built in 1065 which
has served as a place of worship, the Coronation venue and also burial
place for English monarchs
• Wong Tai Sing Temple - Hong Kong SAR’s most famous Taoist temple