9. Seeing Copenhagen’s Fairytale Little Mermaid
All the guidebooks tell you a visit to the iconic statue of Hans Christian Andersen’s Little Mermaid is a must when in Copenhagen.
The local Danes scratch their heads at this one, though, as its really just a small unimposing bronze statue at the waterside of Langeline promenade, a bit of a walk from the center of town. She’s been decapitated, disarmed, knocked off her pedestal, draped in a Muslim headscarf and otherwise vandalized over the years, but she remains a symbol of the Danish capital. A million tourists flock here each year to get their token snapshots – you need the patience to wait your turn with this camera-toting crowd. You might as well join the throngs and take your shot too, but please don’t be one of the morons that try to climb the rock or grope her boobs. That’s just rude.
10. Visiting Beijing’s Forbidden City
Beijing’s biggest draw is the Forbidden City just off Tiananmen Square, which served as China’s grand Imperial palace from the Ming to Qing dynasties.
It would be magnificent if it weren’t for the 14 million annual visitors pushing their way through the complex each year. Of course, you can’t expect to have the place to yourself like you’re the last emperor, but the crush of people can be daunting and detract from the experience. Avoid weekends, public holidays and fair-weather afternoons to have a fighting chance.
Furthermore, air pollution in Beijing can be a problem. Sometimes the air is so choked up you can barely see the place.
