London has more than nine million visitors every year. They come and visit some of the most famous places in England: Big Ben (大笨钟), the Tower of London and the River Thames (泰晤士河).
     You can see some of the most interesting places in the city by getting on one of London's tour buses. It has an open roof and let you off at the places you want to visit.
     Or you can take a ride on the London Eye. This large wheel slowly takes you 135m above the River Thames. From the top you have wonderful views of the whole city.
     The River Thames is London's main waterway. It has shaped the capital's landscape, history and geography. So one of the best ways of making sense of the city is to take a trip along the river. Much of the riverbank can now be walked along, particularly the south bank.
     The clock tower of the Houses of Parliament (议会大厦), Big Ben, has become one of the main symbols of London. It rises up nearly 100m to a golden point above the clock and a 13-ton bell. The sound of the bell, which you can hear at the beginning of many television and radio programmes, has become well-known throughout the nation.
     No visit to London is complete without a look at the Tower of London, in the eastern part of the city. After Big Ben, the Tower may be London's most visited tourist spot. It is Europe's oldest palace and prison.

      Directly south is Tower Bridge, which is more than 100 years old.