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 Aquarium
Beijing Happy Valley
Beijing Zoo
China Century Monument
Chinese Ethnic Culture Park
Grand View Garden
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
Travelers' Voices on Beijing Attractions
1.
Jul. 3,2009 09:04 Reply
Ms.Tran(VN) said:
Now i'm in Langfang, i want to go to Beijing in the weekend but i don't know how to go?Please help me, thanks
Jul. 4,2009 03:32
Mr.Alan replied:
Hi, there are over 15 trains from Langfang to Beijing everyday. Just takes about 1~2 hours. Well, suggested you search the details at http://www.travelchinaguide.com/china-trains/
2.
Jul. 2,2009 23:45 Reply
Ms.teh(malaysia) said:
hi I plan to spend 7 nites in beijing, kindly advise all the transportation to be taken as we not planning to join big tour group however small and individual tour guide possesses of private car is needed, we have 2 adults and one toddler 3-years-old, so how should we go about with that and where is the must-see sightseeing in Beijing, kindly advise.
3.
Jul. 1,2009 07:27 Reply
Mr.ZHang(USA) said:
I am leaving for Beijing Tomorrow for a week. Is there anything that is a must visit/must eat?
Jul. 1,2009 22:33
Mr.Jimmy replied:
Well, lots of must things in Beijing. Just give you a brief idea:
Visit--Great Wall, Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, Summer Palace, Temple of Heaven, Qianmen Street, Hutongs and Courtyards, Wangfujing Street. So many, you'd better refer to the listed attraction on this page above.
Eat-- of course the Beijing Duck, and the locals snacks you could find casually on the way.This website also lists some good recommendation at http://www.travelchinaguide.com/cityguides/beijing/dining.htm
4.
Jun. 29,2009 01:14 Reply
Ms.Prachi(India) said:
hi I am Dr. Mehta from India. I am planning to visit Bejing from 9th July to 14th July 2009. Can you tell me what the weather would be like at that time? Need i get warm clothes at all?
Thanks
Jun. 30,2009 01:59
Mr.Qi replied:
No need to get any warm clothes, for the weather is very hot. It is 36C now.
5.
May. 5,2009 01:17 Reply
Mr.Avinash(Ind) said:
I'm planning a visit to China with my son who is handicapped and used a wheel chair. Are the place of Terracotta worriors and the Great Wall wheel chair accessable?
Thanks
May. 5,2009 04:19
Mr.Wong replied:
Hi, Mr, Avinash, Terra Cotta Qarriors is no problem, but it is not accessable in the Great Wall, I think.
May. 15,2009 07:10
Ms.wright(usa) replied:
thay is really cool and i think you will enjoy it
May. 19,2009 05:08
Mr.Yash(China) replied:
Yes they have special arragement for hadicafts person so dont worry and wel come in Beijing
May. 22,2009 05:38
Ms.Cindalou(USA) replied:
Terracotta no problem -- the Badaling portion of the Great Wall is chair accessible. Check with a tour operator.
Jun. 25,2009 13:36
Mr.Avinash(India) replied:
Hi! Avinash,
I too am Avinash from India, I too have a handicapped, wheelchair bound son ! We are however visiting China without our son.If you have already finished with your tour, please let me know how difficult or convenient it was for your son. We can plan to take him with us next year, to some other foreign country.
Jun. 25,2009 23:24
Mr.avinash(india) replied:
Dear Avinash,
I had been to China with my son and wow, did we have a gala time. Though it was a bit hard some times for both of us, but we freaked out.
Contact me at avi@cyner.in and I will give you maore details.
regards,
avinash H.N
6.
Jun. 25,2009 09:30 Reply
Mrs.sue(malaysia) said:
hi there! i will travelling to beijing this sunday and my visit only for 5days.since i can get advise from you guys regards to the sightseeing ,iam wonders if i should take the tours in advanced or shall i get it from the beijing itself....which one is more costless and cheap.due this is my first time travel to this city.thanks!
Jun. 25,2009 22:22
Mr.Frank replied:
Hi sue, I think you could book a tour from a professional agency before leaving. These local tours in Beijing are just for one or two-day's travel. Although some are cheaper, you may be required to unexpected some shopping.
7.
Jun. 25,2009 09:58 Reply
Ms.su.j(malaysia) said:
Hi guys! well iam leaving to beijing this coming sunday,this is my first time visit beijing so i need some expertise advise regards to my travel plan..as far as iam concern everyone done their trip by taking train and bus to the place of interest.could anyone tell me if there any taxi service offered at every attraction place in beijing and is it safe to take the public cab ?thank a lot.
Jun. 25,2009 22:19
Mr.Darcy(USA) replied:
Yes, you could hire a taxi at every tour destination in downtown Beijing. Generally, most of the taxi with mark logo are reliable but be careful those one who may take you to some shops.
8.
Jun. 14,2009 23:42 Reply
Mrs.mimi(malaysia) said:
one more thing..what is the weather on August 4 2009 in beijing and tianjin?
what types of clothes shd i bring?
Jun. 16,2009 03:25
Mr.Gilbert replied:
Both of the two cities are in hot summer that the average temperation at noon may over 35C, so summer clothes is enough. Please protect you from the strong ultraviolet radiation.
9.
Jun. 14,2009 23:34 Reply
Mrs.mimi(malaysia) said:
hi..
i will arrive in beijing on the 4th august 09 with my husband, son 4 yrs and friend.
1.Now, is it save for me n family to have a good travel in china coz of H1N1 influenza? how does it affected beijing?
2.could u plans for me an itinery for my 4 days stay in beijing as i was planning to stay in DongjianMingxiang Hotel.
3.what transport is better to visit all the suggested places?
4.doest the travel guide is better for us? how much the cost for it?
5. we will go to tianjin on the 7th August for 2 days, which hotel is proposed to us?
6.what the best places to shopping for a souvenier?
Jun. 16,2009 03:22
Mr.Gilbert replied:
1. as for the H1N1, current the situation is under control in China, but not sure about it in August. So, please pay attention to the news report before leaving.
2. haven't found the hotel. Do you mean the Dongjiaominxiang Hotel which is very close to the Forbidden City? If yes, the hotel is surrounded by very convenient transportation. Well, for a 4-day's tour, I have read this website's Beijing tours before, very good arrangement, maybe you could have a reference. See here: http://www.travelchinaguide.com/package/beijing.htm
3 & 4. Due to most of the travel destinations are related with history, so I think a well-read guide is necessary. The cost depend on what kind of tour you participate in, such as 100yuan-200yuan per person/one day tour~
5. the popular hotels in Tianjin include Golden Ocean Hotel, Victoria International Hotel, Orange Hotel-Tianjin Bei'anqiao Branch, Holiday Inn Hotel and South China Harbour Horizon Hotel.
6. well, the souvenier could be found everywhere, especially nearby these tour destinations. For some famous ones, please try the Wangfujing Dajie, not far from your hotel.
10.
Jun. 12,2009 13:17 Reply
Mr.RITZ(SIN) said:
Hi Mr.DATA1000
Thank you for your advised! yes I also want to explore Great Wall from Mutianyu entry too, hope to get
great photograph shoot with my DSLR! ;)
How do i get to Mutianyu from Beijing? and how far the journey?
Jun. 14,2009 01:05
Mr.Colin replied:
Transport to Mutianyu: Take tourist Bus 6 at Xuanwumen and Dong Sishitiao which heading for the entry directly. Or you can take subway railway from Xizhimen Railway Station to Beizhao Station and then take taxi to Mutianyu. You will spend the whole day there, suggest you go there in the morning.