Attractions to See
As the capital and political, economic and cultural center of China,Bejing offers travellers lots of things to do and see.It hosted 2008 Summer Olympics Games and presented world an immage of ancient and modern glamour.
Top 3 Attractions
1.Great wall
As one of the "Eight Wonders of the World" and World Heritage,The Great Wall was built to drive off invaders as well as keep the inhabitants.It spans five provinces from Shanhaiguan Pass in the east to Jiayuguan Pass in the west.The Great Wall in Beijing located in suburban areas, including the well-preserved Badaling and Mutianyu, the renovated Juyonguan, Jinshanling and Gubeikou is most famous.It takes 1-2 hours by car from downtown Beijing .
The Great Wall in Beiijng is 573 kilometers long .Ming Dynasty( 1368-1644)is the last dynasty to engage in construction and built walls in Pinggu, Miyun, Huairou, Yanqing, Changping, and Mentougou,as long as 526 kilometers (327 miles).
2.Forbidden City
The splendid Forbidden City ,surrounded by a moat six meters deep and ten-meter high wall,is the biggest and best-preserved imperial complex in the world with 9,999 rooms.The number represents 'Divine Perfection'.The palace has been served as administrative center of the country for five centuries.
3.Tiananmen Square
Tiananmen Square is the largest city square in the world.It is not only the city's symbol but also China's.The enormous square is surrounded by lots of significant edifices such as the Tiananmen Tower, Great Hall of the People, Mao Zedong Memorial Hall, Monument to the People's Heroes and National Museum.
Historical Sites
There is a variety of Hutongs and Courtyards in Beijing.The Prince Gong's Mansion where an offical and then a prince lived is the most magnificent courtyard.Other than that,there are the Bell and Drum Towers, Liulichang Cultural Street for people interested in Chinese calligraphy, painting or other artwork and the Lugou Bridge with incredible stone lions.
Imperial Gardens & Mausoleumsgraphy
The well-preserved Summer Palace has an area of 727 acres.Additionally,there are Beihai Park and the destroyed Old Summer Palace.The emperors built their marvelous mausoleums,among which,the Ming Tombs of the 13 emperors are considered most spectacular.
Temple
Because of religion,lost of beautiful temples were built to show imperial power.The Temple of Heaven where holds annual ceremonies of prayer to Heaven for good harvest is the largest complex in the country.The Altar of Earth ,at the opposite,is used to worship the God of Earth.The Great Bell Temple was used to pray for rainfall during Qing Dynasty.
Other temples you can visit are listed below.
Temple of Confucius
Yonghe Temple
Baoguo Temple
Big Bell Temple
Dajue Temple
Dongyue Temple
Fayuan Temple
Five Pagoda Temple
Guangji Temple
Hongluo Temple
Jietai Temple
Miaoying Temple
Niujie Mosque
Tanzhe Temple
Temple of Ancient Monarchs
Temple of Azure Clouds
Temple of Earth
Temple of the Moon
Temple of the Sun
White Cloud Temple
Wofo Temple
Yunju Temple
Modern Attractions
There are lots of modern scenic spots you can not miss when in Beijing.The representitve buildings are the National Stadium and the National Aquatics Center built for the 29th Summer Olympics.
Other modern attractions you can visit are listed below.
Aquarium
Aviation Museum
Beijing Planetarium
Beijing Zoo
Blue Zoo
Capital Museum
CCTV Tower
Chang'an Avenue
China National Film Museum
China Numismatic Museum
China Railway Museum
China Red Sandalwood Museum
Chinese Ethnic Culture Park
Culture Palace of Nationalities
Dashilar Street
Garden of World's Flowers
Geological Museum
Grand View Garden
Guijie Street
Happy Valley
Madame Tussauds
Military Museum
Millennium Monument
Museum of Natural History
National Art Museum
National Centre for Performing Arts
National Post & Postage Museum
Olympic Forest Park
Olympic Park
Pacific Underwater World
Paleozoological Museum of China
Planning Exhibition Hall
Qianmen Street
Sanlitun Bar Street
Science & Technology Museum
Shengshi Nangong Film & TV City
Shijingshan Amusement Park
Silk Street
Ski Resorts
Universal Studios Beijing
Wangfujing Street
Wildlife Park
World Park
Working People's Cultural Palace
Xiaotangshan Agri Science Park
Nature
There are lots of parks in Beijing where you can soak yourself in nature.You can look over the whole city in the Jingshan Park that was an imperial garden previously.In the autumn,you can see pretty red leaves from the Fragrant Hills Park.
Other parks you can visit are listed below.
Baihua Mountain
Baiwangshan Forest Park
Black Dragon Pool
Botanical Garden
Chaoyang Park
Fenghuangling Nature Park
Gubei Water Town
Kangxi Grassland
Lianhuachi Park
Lingshan Mountain
Longqing Gorge
Longtan Park
Mount Miaofeng
Purple Bamboo Garden
Qinglong Gorge
Stone Flower Cave
Shidu Nature Park
Taoranting Park
Tianmo Desert
Tongzhou Canal Park
Western Hills Forest Park
Xiaotangshan Hot Spring
Yanqi Lake
Yunmeng Mountain
Yuyuantan Park
Zhongshan Park
Dinning and Shopping
Dining in Beijing
Since people from different places live in Beijng,it makes the food culture versatile.Peking Roast Duck and Imperial Court Food are representitve food of Beijing.People say you must do two things when in Beijing:eat Peking Roasted Duck and visit the Great wall.The duck is perfectly roasted with bronze color,crispy ,tender and succulent.Dozes of restaurants serve the duck.However,the most famous are Quanjude and Bianyifang.
Imperial Court Cuisine was only enjoyed by emperors before and now has elvolved to be enjoyed by ordinary people in the country as well.It featurers freshest ingredients,detailed preparation and colorful vegetable carvings.The most representitve one is the Tian Jia cuisine served by Beijing Hotel.
You can find lots of foreign foods as well in Beijing since it is an international metropolis if local food does not suit your taste.
Shopping in Beijing
Since July 1st,2015,Beijing has carried out tax refund policy.Tourists from overseas including HongKong,Macau and Taiwan can get 9% back if they purchase more than 500 RMB at designated duty free shops mainly located in Xidan Commercial Street and Wangfujing Street.
Where to Buy
Business Center Area
Business centers like Hongqiao Pearl Market ,Qianmen Street,Silk Street and other pedestrian streets ,Chaowai Street,Jianguomenwai Street,Xin Jie Kou,Lady's Street,Silver Street and Da Shi Lar are really good places to go.
Department Stores
If you are looking for some goods of nice brands,Friendship Store, Shin Kong Palace, Lufthansa Center and Parkson in the downtown are good options.
Antique Stores
Panjiayuan Flea Market and Colored Glaze Factory sell traditional handicrafts of Chinese or eastern style.
Specialty Stores
If you want to buy some local specialties,we suggest you should g0 t0 Rui Fu Xiang and Nei Lian Sheng.These store ,with a long history,still have traces of old Beijing.