Jerusalem

A holy city for the three great monotheistic faiths, where the Old City's four quarters, the Western Wall, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and the Dome of the Rock bring together thousands of years of history; the regional situation is changeable, so assess safety before you travel.

Jerusalem sits in the Judean Mountains between the Mediterranean and the Dead Sea. It is a holy city revered by Judaism, Christianity and Islam, and the city's political status is internationally disputed. Its core is the Old City, less than 1 sq km in area, encircled by walls built in the 16th century by the Ottoman sultan Suleiman, with eight gates including Jaffa Gate, Damascus Gate and Lions' Gate. Traditionally the Old City is divided into the Jewish, Christian, Muslim and Armenian quarters, and in 1981 the "Old City of Jerusalem and its Walls" was inscribed as a World Heritage Site. The main sights are concentrated in the Old City: the Western Wall (Wailing Wall); the Dome of the Rock and Al-Aqsa Mosque on the Temple Mount/Haram al-Sharif; the Church of the Holy Sepulchre; the Via Dolorosa; and the Tower of David. The Mount of Olives to the east offers a panorama of the Old City, and the New City to the west has the Israel Museum, Yad Vashem and the Mahane Yehuda Market. The climate is Mediterranean: March–May and October–November are the most pleasant; summer is hot and dry but mornings and evenings are cool; winter is rainy and chilly. Getting there: flights from China generally arrive at Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion Airport (TLV); routes and schedules are heavily affected by the regional situation, so rely on the airline's latest information; from the airport to Jerusalem the high-speed train takes about 30 minutes, the city has a light rail and buses, and the Old City can only be explored on foot. Allow 3–4 days. Notes: Chinese citizens need to apply for a visa in advance, so check the latest rules of the relevant embassy or consulate; from sunset Friday to sunset Saturday is the Jewish Sabbath, when public transport stops and many shops and restaurants close, and there are also differences in schedule in the Muslim Quarter on Fridays and at Christian sites on Sundays; visiting religious sites requires covering your shoulders and knees, some sites separate men and women, and you should check signage before taking photos; security checks are routine, so carry your passport with you. The regional security situation changes with the conflict and some sights may close temporarily, so before you travel be sure to check the latest safety advisories from China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and its local embassy.

Top sights

Where to eat

Itineraries