The Empire on Which the Sun Never Sets, United Kingdom

If you said Cambridge is the best choice to experience the abundant knowledge of England than London will be where you can witness the once most powerful kingdom in the world. The first weekend after we've arrived in UK, my friends and I planned to visit London, our neighboring city, as soon as possible. We deemed that the British Museum would take plenty of times so we planned to take around first to one of the top 4 largest museum in the world. Similar to that of the Met, the British Museum is also famed of its abundant collections of the Egyptian arts collected from their consistent invasions around the North Sahara region thousands and hundreds of years ago. It is hardly to finish all the sections of the museum in a day, if you want to appreciate those treasures thoroughly, do spare at least one and half days to make your visit comfortably. 

The British Museum

Situated next to the River Thames,  London Eye and London Tower now represent the new and the old London respectively. London Eye is where English government released fireworks every year on the New Year. When my friends and I tried to queue up for London Eye, we found it almost impossible to get on in 2 hours!!!!!! Yes!!! When we arrived at around 11a.m. hundreds of tourists have already filled in each line of the ticket booths. 

The London Eye

London Tower is the old prison for the felons in the Victoria era. It was abandoned afterwards and currently transformed itself into a whole new tourist spot protecting several precious royal treasures as it used to safeguard the security of citizens of London. However, it is inhibited to take pictures inside the exhibition room. The collections are subject to change by seasons or festivals, and they include from the crowns of Queen Elizabeth to the swords of successive kings. If you are really interested in the stories behind the royal families and the treasures they have possessed, it is a place that you don't wanna miss. 

London Tower

After leaving the London Tower, we rushed to Buckingham Palace, the residence and the principal workplace of the monarchy of the UK. As soon as we arrived, the parade performance in front of the palace was just started and so the front yard of the palace was crowded with countless tourists trying to witness the perfect trained soldiers' performances. It was really interesting and unforgettable to see one of the iconic symbols of England: the guard changing in Buckingham Palace.

Parade Performance in front of Buckingham Palace

Guard Changing in Buckingham Palace

What will be other icons when you think of United kingdom? or London? To me, as being the super fan of detective novels since the years in the elementary school, I am more than looking forward to visiting the Sherlock Holmes Museum. The museum has reproduced exactly as what the novels illustrate: the styles, furnishings and even the address (yes it is located in Backer Street!!!). That is, you will feel like you are one of the characters in the books from the wit Holmes, the cautious Watson or the evil Professor Moriarty. If you are the zealot of the books, this places will surely take you dozens of photos away!

The Entrance of Sherlock Holmes Museum

Near the museum is the Westminster Abbey where several royal weddings were held here. Additionally, it has become one of Britain's most significant honors to be buried or commemorated in the abbey (great figures who have been buried in the Westminster Abbey including: Oliver Cromwell, Charles Darwin and Isaac Newton). To sum up, the Westminster Abbey is a sacrosanct place in the heart of the English people to commemorate those who have done a  great contribution to this great nation.

Westminster Abbey