Beijing, the capital of the People’s Republic of China, is a city with a fascinating mix of ancient history and modern advancement. Beijing is one of the four Ancient Great Capitals of China, and has been a place of political importance for centuries, so anyone interested in Chinese history and culture can find plenty here to learn from. Currently, Beijing is the country’s second largest city and one of the most populous cities in the world. It is China’s educational hub, home to great universities and works of art, as well as housing the headquarters to many of China’s state-run companies.
Here are a few of the must see attractions that you’ll want to see on your trip to Beijing.
- Tiananmen Square (the Square of Heavenly Peace). This is a definite must. Tiananmen Square carries a huge amount of cultural significance to the Chinese people. Here you can visit the Tiananmen Tower, which dates back to the Ming Dynasty and was, until 1911, only accessible to aristocrats and royals. You’ll also be able to see the Great Hall of the People — the site of the China National People’s Congress meetings – the Memorial Hall of Chairman Mao, and the Monument to the People’s Heroes, the largest monument in China’s history. Fun fact: Tiananmen Square is the world’s largest inner-city square. It was designed to hold a million people and was built in 1958 to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Chinese Republic. Don’t forget to see the Monument to the People’s Heroes (Rénmín Yingxióng Jìniànbei), which is a 38-meter tall obelisk consisting of 17,000 pieces of granite and marble. Also, make your way to Zhengyangmen, or Qianmen, the southernmost gate into Tiananmen Square is considered one of the most important landmarks in the city.
- The National Stadium. Also known as Bird’s Nest, this is a relatively new and modern landmark, located in the Chaoyang District. The National Stadium was the symbol of the 2008 Olympics. Also of interest in the same district is the World Trade Center tower III and the CCTV Building, known as Bird Legs by natives of the area. These buildings are stunning specimens of modern architecture.
- Forbidden City aka the Imperial Palace. This is China’s most significant attraction that can be traced back to the Yuan Dynasty in the 13th Century. It is also the current home of the Palace Museum, Beijing’s Forbidden City was the most important palace in all of China. The palace was the home of Chinese emperors for over 500 years, from the Ming Dynasty through the Qing Dynasty, and it served as the ceremonial center of the Chinese government. Today, the museum houses over a million pieces of art, including paintings, timepieces, and collections of ceramics, bronzeware, and jade, along with other palace artifacts. No trip to Beijing would be complete without visiting this site. Don’t forget to see the Meridian Gate, built in 1420. Also the Golden River Bridges which consist of five white marble bridges are quite a site.
- The Great Wall of China. This is another site that must be visited for a truly complete trip to the city of Beijing. There are several sections to visit. The Badaling Great Wall is famous for its sights and its military facilities and is very popular with tourists. Those who want a less crowded Great Wall experience might enjoy the Mutianyu section, which is strikingly beautiful, but is less frequently visited by tourists. Other sections of the Great Wall are the Simatai, the Gubeikou, the Huanghuacheng and the Jiankou sections. Each has its own particular appeal. Today’s walls, in various states of repair, begin at the sea about 175 miles east of Beijing and travel westward to the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Remnants of other, non-connected walls remain, some extending even into what is present-day North Korea. Notice we say, “walls.” There never was one Great Wall, but rather a conglomeration of walls, some interconnected, many not.
- Beihai Park. Is not too far from the Imperial Palace area. It is known as one of the oldest surviving imperial gardens in all of Beijing. It is about 168 acres and make sure to visit the Round Fort, the Hall of Enlightenment, climb the White Pagoda on top of the Jade Flower Island or just take your time and enjoy the breeze off the water.
- The Temple of Heaven. This was built in 1420, consists of about 270 acres and is a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is the largest building for religious worship in China and was originally used by the Ming and Qing emperors to pay homage to Heaven and to pray for a year of rich harvest. A large park with tons of vegetation surrounds the temple so it is great for a day outside. Be sure to also visit the temple’s Echo Wall.
- The Summer Palace. This is about 30 minutes away from the center of Beijing. The Summer Palace was known as the summer resort for the Qing dynasty’s royal family. It is covered 3/4 with the water,the rest are hills and palaces. The Long corridor is the longest corridor in the world. The area around the Palace consists of lakes, bridges, gardens, pavilions, temples, corridors and much more. There are beautiful colourful ceilings in the Palace and the views of Kunming Lake as well as Longevity Hill are beautiful. Make sure to give yourself at least 3-5 hours here.
- Lama Temple (Yonghegong). In the heart of Beijing you will find one of the best preserved temples. It was the centre of Tibetan Buddhism going back to 1694. There are five main halls that you can visit and the Pavilion of Ten Thousand Happinesses containing a statue of the Buddha carved from a single piece of sandalwood – it is a must see item. Give yourself a couple of hours to explore the complex.
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If time permits we also recommend visiting the hutong neighborhoods which consist of quaint, winding alleys, a 360 degree view from the top of Jangshan Park and Olympic Park.
Beijing is a city that could keep a dedicated traveler busy for a very long time. Where ever you turn, you’re sure to find something of interest in this important and interesting city.
