Beijing, the heart of China, is always the first choice of travelers who are willing to know a time-honored and developed city of China. It has been the political, economic and cultural center of China for over 800 years from the Yuan Dynasty. The numerous royal buildings with long history endow Beijing with incomparable charm, not only the 'Nation's Best' but also the 'World's Best'. On the other hand, as the host city of the 2008 Olympic Games, this oriental ancient city presented her best fashion fascination to the world.
Top Attractions
Forbidden City
The magnificent Forbidden City is the largest and the best-preserved imperial palace complex in the world. It has 9,999 rooms in flourishing period with just a single room short of the number that ancient Chinese belief represents 'Divine Perfection' and surrounded by a moat six meters deep and ten-meter high wall. For five centuries, this palace functioned as the administrative center of the country.
Great Wall in Beijing
The Great Wall of China is one of the 'Eight Wonders of the World' and is enlisted in the World Heritage Directory. This immense wall was built to keep out invaders as well as to retain the inhabitants. It spans five provinces from Shanhaiguan Pass in the east to Jiayuguan Pass in the west, looking like a gigantic dragon across deserts, grasslands and mountains. In the downtown area of Beijing, it is possible to climb Badaling Great Wall.
Tiananmen Square
The solemn and respectful Tiananmen Square is the largest central city square in the world, which serves not only Beijing's symbol but also the whole of China. This immense courtyard is the site of various historical events, which is surrounded by a variety of significant edifices such as the Great Hall of the People, the Mao Zedong Memorial Hall and the Monument to the People's Heroes. Imperial Gardens & Mausoleums
Beijing is the capital city of several Dynasties. Therefore, besides the spectacular imperial palaces, it also possesses the most luxurious royal gardens—the well-preserved Summer Palace with an area of 727 acres, the elegant Beihai Park and the destroyed Old Summer Palace. On the other hand, those Emperors also constructed spectacular mausoleums for themselves. The Ming Tombs of the 13 emperors should be the most excellent necropolis. Summer Palace Ming Tombs
Beihai Park Eastern Qing Tombs Old Summer Palace Western Qing Tombs
Temples
Due to religion was always related with the supreme imperial power, Beijing at one time served as the focus of religious life with lots of beautiful temples. The Temple of Heaven, where the Emperors paid homage to the glory of heaven, is the largest group of structures in the country dedicated to rituals. To be opposite, the Altar of Earth was used to worship the God of the Earth. The Great Bell Temple, where the Emperor prayed for rainfall in the Qing Dynasty. Niujie Mosque Temple of Confucius Temple of Heaven Yonghe Lamasery Altar of Earth Badachu Park Five Pagoda Temple Great Bell Temple Guangji Temple Temple of Azure Clouds Temple of Recumbent Buddha White Dagoba Temple
Historical Beijingers
If you would like to experience the local life, there is a great deal of Beijing's Hutongs and Courtyards distributed for your choice. The Prince Gong's Mansion should be the most magnificent courtyard, which was the residence of an official and then a prince. Other famous historical sites include the Bell and Drum Towers, the Liulichang Street for people interested in Chinese calligraphy, painting or other artwork, the Lugou Bridge carved with marvelous stone lions. Hutongs & Courtyards Prince Gong's Mansion Shichahai Ancient Obervatory Bell and Drum Tower Liulichang Street Lugou Bridge Peking Man Site Modern Beijing
Thanks for the 29th Summer Olympics, Beijing has been well-known for travelers all over the world. This hospitable metropolis of China has been mixed with lots of modern elements, which is also a new part for its mysterious orient civilization. There are so many representative buildings displaying this international metropolis, such as the Beijing National Stadium and the National Aquatics Center for 2008 Olympics and the China Century Monument. Beijing National Stadium Beijing 798 Art Zone Beijing Aquarium Beijing Happy Valley Beijing Zoo China Century Monument Chinese Ethnic Culture Park Grand View Garden National Centre for the Performing Arts North Putuo Film & TV City Natural Beauties
For a peaceful and interesting stroll, please visit Beijing's beautiful parks. Located at the back of the Forbidden City, the Jingshan Park is an ideal place for an overview of Beijing, which was also an imperial garden in ancient time. The Fragrant Hills Park has the most beautiful red maple leaves in every autumn. The Taoranting Park is a wonderful workmanship of Chinese ancient and modern architectural skills. The Stone Flower Cave is an astonishing karst park of Beijing. Fragrant Hills Park Jingshan Park Stone Flower Cave Taoranting Park
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Travelers' Voices on Beijing Attractions
1.
Nov. 17,2009 15:32 Reply
Mrs.Dewi Nilasari(Indonesia) said:
Dear Madame / Sir,
We are planning to visit Beijing next year, please advise the best time to visit noted that we want to have ski trip in Beijing. please advise us hotel with moderate rate. how long we should stay in china if you would like to go to Guangzu as well. looking forward for your reply
Nov. 17,2009 21:45
Mr.CARMEN_01 replied:
If you want a ski trip, you shall go in winter (from Dec. to Feb.). And do you mean "Guangzhou" in saying "Guangzu"?
Nov. 18,2009 01:00
Ms.Linda replied:
Mrs.Dewi Nilasari:
You mean you want to find a hotel closed to ski resort. The Qiaobo International Conference Center, a 4-star hotel, is located at No.6 Shunan Road Shunyi district. It also offers the service of skiing.
2.
Nov. 17,2009 19:06 Reply
Mrs.REZA(MALAYSIA) said:
HI, MY FAMILY PLANNING FOR OUT FIRST VISIT TO BEIJING AND SKIING, PLS PROVIDE ME A GOOD HOTEL WITH ENGLISH SPEAKING & HAS WESTERN FOOD. WHAT IS THE NEAREST SKI RESORT TO BEIJING DOWNTOWN. WHAT ARE THE ACTIVITIES FOR CHILDREN, AGED 12 TO 5.
Nov. 17,2009 22:13
Mr.CARMEN_01 replied:
You may check up Capital Hotel Beijing.
Different voices are heard concerning the nearest ski resort to beijing downtown, but try to check Nanshan Ski Resort, Shijinglong Ski Resort and Jundushan Ski Resort.
Most of Beijing attarctions are of historical and cultural importance. It is suitable for children to visit some amusement places, such as Happy Valley, Beijing Zoo and some other amusement parks.
3.
Nov. 9,2009 03:46 Reply
Mrs.Agnes H(Indonesia) said:
We'll be arriving at Beijing Int.airport on 12 Nov 2009 aftnn.and we'll go to Shangrila Hotel, Haidian. We're three and bring a lot of bags, what the best transportations you have and how much the fare?
We want go to Tianjin using Bullet-train on 14 Nov (and return on same day), could you advise me how to get the Beijing rail station from my hotel and how can I get the schedulle? On the next day, we want to see Badaling Great Wall and looking for skiing not faraway from the Wall, any advise about transportation from Shangrila's and the sky resort? Please advise. thanks.
Nov. 9,2009 20:05
Ms.Lynn replied:
Mrs. Agnes H:
You’d better take a taxi to your hotel because you bring a lot of bags. The taxi fare is about RMB 150.
You could take subway line 4 to the Beijing south railway station to catch the Bullet train. First, you walk along Zizhuyuan Road and find the Guojiatushuguan (National Library Station) at the crossing. It costs you 20 minutes and 2 Yuan per person by subway.
Badaling Ski Resort is close to the Wall. It is convenient to hire a taxi there. If you want to get there by bus, take a taxi to Deshengmen to catch No.919 and stop at Xibozi(西拨子). And then walk north for 20 minutes or take a taxi (15 Yuan) to get there.
Nov. 11,2009 11:51
Mrs.Agnes H(Indonesia) replied:
Thankyou Ms.Lynn
4.
Oct. 26,2009 22:05 Reply
Mrs.Jenny Low(Singapore) said:
I heard that eating is a problem in China? Do they have good restaurant in Beijing and Xian?
Oct. 26,2009 23:07
Mr.Brant replied:
I have to say that's not true at all. I love chinses food. Beijing and xian boast many top-notch restaurants. How can eating be a problem in China? You should get to know more about chinese cuisine.
Nov. 10,2009 12:34
Mrs.Lynsey(Netherlands) replied:
Beijing is packed with restaurants of every kind. Name a type of cuisine from anywhere in the world and Beijing probably has it. So whether you want to sample the delicious local cuisine or go European, no problem. And every budget is catered for too. Enjoy!
5.
Nov. 3,2009 00:41 Reply
Mr.Junus(Malaysia) said:
Hi,
We will be arriving in Tienjin on 13th November 2009 and from there we will go to
Ibis Sanyuan Hotel in Beijing. Would you advise us how to travel to the Hotel from
Tianjing International Airport. If we have to take the bullet train, it is possible
to buy the tickets on arrival. Please advise.
It is true that it is snowing now in Beijing? Please furnish us with the current information with regard to actual weather in Beijing and Tianjin.
Thank you.
Junus, Kuala Trengganu, Malaysia.
Nov. 3,2009 02:21
Mr.Goodman replied:
About Transportation:
1)Tianjin International Airport to Tianjin Railway Station
Route: Airport Express Line 4(5)---Bus No.678---Bus No.666
2)Tianjin Railway Station to Beijing South Railway Station
Many trains are available and you can buy tickets on arrival. The whole trip just take around 30 minutes
3)Beijing South Railway Station to Ibis Sanyun Hotel
Route: Bus No.665 (from South Square of Beijingnanzhen to Liujiaqiaoxi)---Subway Line 5 (from Liujiayao to Hepingxiqiao)---Bus No.367 (from Hepingxiqiao to Taiyanggongqiao)
About Weather
Beijing had just its first snow three days ago. As for the most recent weather, or say weather forcast, you can keep logging in this website for a look:
http://www.travelchinaguide.com/cityguides/beijing.htm
On the left side of the page is the update weather info.
nice day :0)
6.
Nov. 1,2009 19:17 Reply
Ms.Bell(Malaysia) said:
I'm planning to have a ski trip to beijing but I wonder if there still aviliable to ski during 1st March 2010?
Nov. 1,2009 23:45
Ms.Vivi replied:
Ms.Bell
Usually the ski center will open till Feb, but it is not very strict. Sometimes it will last to March 15. It's affected by the weather.
7.
Nov. 1,2009 19:27 Reply
Mr.teh(malaysia) said:
Hi, anyone knows about the 'Fa Men Si' temple in Beijing? we wish to visit this temple while in Beijing next month but I could not find any details about this temple. Please enlighten me as my mum wishes to visit this temple. Thank you.
Nov. 1,2009 21:32
Mr.Josh replied:
Hi, Mr.teh, 'Fa Men Si'(Famen Temple) is in Shaanxi Province,you may visit the temple when arrive in Xi'an, please check the details in this page:
http://www.travelchinaguide.com/attraction/shaanxi/xian/famen_temple/
Nov. 1,2009 23:27
Ms.Hua(China) replied:
Hi，I know there is a "Fa Hua Si" temple in Beijing, but what you mentioned is "Fa Men Si",which is located in Baoji Shaanxi.
8.
Nov. 1,2009 08:13 Reply
Mrs.Mary(Iran) said:
We are going to Beijing tomorrow from Guangzhou and just now I heard there is snowy! Can we go to visit Great wall on Thuesday?
Nov. 1,2009 20:15
Ms.Li (Beijing) replied:
Mrs.Mary:
Yes, it snowed Nov 1st. Tuesday is fine and you can visit Great Wall. You will feel coldness after the heavy snow. Please wear more clothes to keep warm.
Nov. 1,2009 21:13
Mr.li(china) replied:
HELLO Mrs mary
of course you can go to the great wall on Thuesday.and you'd better kepp warm when you go to the great wall
9.
Oct. 28,2009 21:26 Reply
Ms.dan dan(singapore) said:
i desperately need advice. im planning a trip to beijing from the 6th nov to 16th nov and hope very much to get to ski in beijing itself. will the ski resorts open then or do i have to go to harbin for that? what happens if i delay the trip to 13th nov and stay till 23rd nov? do i then get to ski? i also wish to go to inner mongolia for horse riding then but am unsure if its wise since i come from a tropical hot climate. i am holding off the booking of flight tickets till a kind soul helps me out with this! thanks in advance
Oct. 29,2009 21:41
Ms.Berlinda replied:
It doesn't matter whether you go from the 6th Nov. to 16th Nov. or if you delay. Coz ski resorts open everyday. It's rather cold in northern China. I can't tell whether you will be ok, but i don't think there will be big problems.
Oct. 29,2009 22:52
Ms.Ellie replied:
Hi Ms.dan dan
The sky resort will open and you don’t need to go to Harbin. There are a lot of ski centers in the suburbs of Beijing. You’d better book it in advance. You can try to ride a horse in inner Mongolia with the help of locals. Please do remember to ask for price before riding.
10.
Oct. 28,2009 22:17 Reply
Ms.SALMAHMUHD(Singapore) said:
Hi, I am visiting Beijing in 1st January 10 and plan to go to Harbin for a few days. What is the best way to go there? Should I take flight or go by train? Is there bullet train. And what is the cost? What about Xian?
Oct. 29,2009 01:14
Ms.Kay replied:
It is cheaper to take a train (RMB429 for soft sleeper) to get there. If you choose airplane, that is expensive (RMB 960).