Do you know the tourist spots in Beijing?

Tiananmen Square & Forbidden City

Walking beneath the red flags of Tiananmen Square is a quintessential Beijing exerience. It was from the Gate of Heavenly Peace that Mao Zedong pronounced the People’s Republic of Chinain 1949. The Forbidden City has been home to a long line of emperors. The structure, which was built by more than 200,000 workers, is the best preserved and most complete example of imperial architecture in China.


The Great Wall

As a visitor to Beijing, you simply must set aside a day to visit one of the glorious Great Wall sites just outside the capital. In general, the farther you go, the more rugged is the terran. So choose your adventure wisely!



Hutongs & Old Beijing

Beijing has a network of ancient alleyways that are living museums of tne old city. These alleyways, called hutongs, still packed with bustling shops and courtyard houses, are full of life. Laundry is strung out from windows and telephone poles, vegetables and flowers are planted in any available space, and old folks play chess, drink beer or tea, and sit on stools to gossip.



Summer Palace

This garden complex dates back eight centuries, to when the first emperor of the Jin Dynasty built the Gold Mountain Palace on Longevity Hill. Notable sights are the long Corridor(a covered wooden walkway), and the Hall of Benevolent Longevity. At the west end of the lake is the famous Marble Boat that Qing Empress Dowager Cixi built with money intended for the Chinese navy.



Temple of Heaven

The Temple of Heaven is one of the best examples of religious architecture in China. Construction began in the early 15th century on the order of Yongle. The complex took 14 years to complete. It contains three main buildings where the emperor, as the “Son of Heaven,” offered prayers. The sprawling complex is a pleasant place for wandering. Watch locals practicing martial arts, playing traditional instruments, and enjoying ballroom dancing on the grass.



Lama Temple

The sweet smell of incense permeates one of the few functioning Buddhist temple in Beijing. When Emperor Yongzheng took the throne in 1723, his former residence was converted into this Lamaistic temple. At its peak, 1,500 lamas lived here. The Hall of Celestial Kings houses a statue of the Maitreya, and the Wanfu Pavilion has a 23-meter Buddha carved from one piece of sandalwood.



Arts Districts

If you are keen to check out the thriving Chinese contemporary art scene, first explore the bohemian Dashanzi 798 art district’s galleries, boutique shops, cafes and artist studios. Nearby are satellite art communities in Caochangdi and beyond that boast converted warehouse and industrial spaces featuring local and international art exhibitions.



Markets

So much to bargain for, so little time! Beijing’s markets offer a wide variety of goods, from “Maomorabilia” and silk slippers to furniture and laptops. Visit the Dirt Martket at Panjiayuan, wher some 3,000 vendors sell factory knockoffs, antiques, Cultural Revolution memorabilia, and handicrafts. For freshwater pearls, and more knockoffs, try the Silk Alley Market or the Pearl Market. For electronics, immerse yourself in Zhongguancun, aka Beijing’s “Silicon Valley.” For antiques, wander the streets of Dazhalan and Liulichang and browse Curio City or Ai jia Market

China Beijing Tour Guide