also houses monuments of historical, artistic andarchaeological significance. A striking feature of the botanical garden is itsspectacular Avenue of Royal Palms, a 750 m line of 134 palms that measure about100 feet (30 meters) high, leading from the entrance into the gardens. TheCentral Fountain, located at the midpoint of the meeting of the alleys, is oneof the most beautiful attractions of the Garden. Made in England, it consistsof two basins, where four figures represent Music, Poetry, Science and Art. Theorchid house, with three thousand specimens of 600 different species, isanother rare beauty attraction in the garden.Chinese ViewpointThe Vista Chinesa is amonument located at 380 meters high in the Tijuca Forest, at the ascent of the Alto da Boa Vista. Famous for having an oriental style gazebo, with spectacularviews of the city of Rio de Janeiro, it has won an award in China as the bestChinese portal outside this country. Its name dates from the reign of Dom JoaoVI, when Chinese who came to cultivate tea in Brazil were installed there. Fromthat point, at a glance, the visitors may admire Christ Redeemer, Sugar LoafMountain, Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon, Botanical Garden, also Arpoador, Ipanema,Leblon, Copacabana and Sao Conrado beaches, Corcovado, Pedra Bonita, Pedra daGavea and Dois Irmaos Mountains. Surely fantastic!Beautiful Rock and Gavea Rock Pedra Bonitais a deforested mountain with an altitude of 696 meters, covered, in the pastby Atlantic forest. From its top you can get a beautiful and closer view of Pedrada Gavea, another seaside monolith,close by its side. Rio de Janeiro is known worldwide as a perfect place forhang gliding. Starting from Pedra Bonita bound to Cucumber [Pepino] Beachyou can take a hang glider flight and enjoy the beauties of the city fromanother perspective. The view you get from the top of Pedra Bonita isincredible, one of the best visuals of the city, so is the view from top of Pedrada Gavea, simply amazing, breathtaking and stunning. Almost simultaneously, the visitors may seeRecreio dos Bandeirantes, Restinga da Marambaia, Barra da Tijuca, Sao Conrado,Christ Redeemer, Arpoador, Ipanema, Leblon, Copacabana, Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon,Botanical Garden, Corcovado Mountain, Jockey Club, Sugar Loaf Mountain,Guanabara Bay, Niteroi, Maracana Soccer Stadium, Tom Jobim and Santos Dumontairports, Flamengo Park and Gloria Marine. Give yourself a break! Close your eyes and breathe in deeply three times!Open your eyes. This is not the top of the world but... it seems to be!!Barra da Tijuca BeachThe 18 km long beach is the largest one in Rio deJaneiro. Known simply as Barra, it starts at Morro do Joa and ends at the Recreio dosBandeirantes neighborhood, in Pontal de Sernambetiba. Most of its waters areclear and green, and have an uncommon wave formation. Barra da Tijuca isone of the most sought after beaches by surfers, fishing enthusiasts, bodyboarders,kitesurfers and windsurfers. There is also a cycling lane along thebeach. The waves, depending on the month, are strong and quite big. Beachsidekiosks and sidewalk bar stand all along the way. One of the most amazingregions inside Barra is the untouchable Reserva Beach where there are no buildings, only seaside kiosks to servedrinks and appetizers. Barra