Architecture in Beijing

When tourists come to China they often imagine a place of antiquity, with rickshaws, boats full of produce floating down the rivers and canals, and single-story architecture. The truth is that Beijing is an extremely modern place with skyscrapers, wide avenues and machine street cleaners and even a web of underground transportation. In short, Beijing is an extremely modern place. What makes it unique is that the city is centered on the Forbidden City-- an ancient palace of beautiful Chinese architecture smack dab in the heart of Beijing. And that isn't the only piece of amazing historical architecture in Beijing.

The Forbidden City is located north of Tiananmen Square, which is itself a marvel of architecture since it has survived as a market place, a meeting point and a political center since Beijing's founding. Qianmen Market Street, to the south, survives as a place for commerce and trade as a result of its proximity and you'll find older style architecture there. To the South lies the Temple of Heaven, and to the north, the Bell and Drum Towers finish off the line of structures that make up the heart of Beijing.

The Summer Palace, created for respite from the heat of summer and the smells of Beijing in full heat, is an entirely different type of architecture and offers the enthusiast a chance to compare and contrast. And for the history buff, the Old Summer Palace Ruins give a glimpse into what was there before the newer (albeit old) palace.

For a view of what modern China is capable of, visit The Egg, or The National Center for the Performing Arts. This beautiful and modern piece of architecture and art shows how innovative China is likely to remain when it comes to lasting structures. The Olympic structures and CCTV tower demonstrate the same thing and are both also worth a visit.

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