Beijing Attractions

Beijing is China's cultural and artistic capital and filled to the brim with history, spirituality and stunning beauty. Start your trip off with a tour of traditional Beijing.

The Forbidden City is arguably the grandest structure of Beijing, and is truly a symbol of imperial power at the height of the Ming and Qing dynasties. Known as the "Former Palace" in Chinese, this was the imperial seat of Chinese emperors for a span of over 500 years. Over this time, the palace was ransacked a number of times, so most of the structure you see today was built during the Qing dynasty. The original structure was said to contain 9,999 rooms, but there are now 980, only half of which are open to the public. Make sure you get there early (gates open at 8:30) to wander peacefully without the afternoon crowds.

The world's largest square, and Beijing's most unavoidable tourist attraction is Tienanmen Square. Although infamous due to the 1989 student rally incident, this square continues to attract hordes of tourists, due to its sheer size and cultural centers. In the center of the square is the Monument to the People's Heroes, which was erected in 1958 by Chairman Mao as a symbol of the Communist Revolution. To the north of the Square lies the Forbidden City, and to the east are the museums of Chinese History and Chinese Revolution.

There are many points of entry for the Great Wall of China, which stretches over 5000 meters. The least touristy access point is Jiankou. The hike from here takes about five hours, and is quite a trek that is not for the faint of heart, and certainly not for those afraid of heights.

The Temple of Heaven, located in the Chongwen District, was originally built as an altar to Heaven. This was the site for important rituals carried out by the Ming and Qing emperors, who came here during the winter months to pray for the health of the empire.

The Summer Palace was where the Emperor and his court retreated in the hot summer months to keep cool by the lake, and is well worth a visit. Likewise, Hou Hai Lake, in the center of the city, is a glorious place for a stroll year round, and especially at night.

There are plenty of shopping opportunities in China, where you can get traditional silks, jade, and antiques. The most famous area is the antique market of Panjiayuan. You can also find boutique shopping on Nanluoguxiang Alley, and some of the best shopping for souvenirs on Qianmen Market Street.

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