Must See Beijing Culture
Description:
Beijing is a huge city with so much history and culture it can be overwhelming for a first time tourist to really get to grips with everything there is to see and do. If you are only in Beijing for a few days there are a number of must-see destinations where you can soak up the local culture and the famous history of Beijing. A 4 to 5 day trip will be enough to fit in all the essential sights, and still give you time to relax and not have to rush. Staying at a mid-priced hotel such as the Presidential Plaza means you get the service without having to pay high prices, and also have the convenience of staying in a hotel that is centrally located with experience of serving foreign guests.
Author: BeijingBoy
Day 1 - Beijing
You have probably travelled a long way to get to Beijing, and so you don’t want to overdo it on the first day. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t soak up some culture and have a great time. After checking into the hotel you will want to spend your first day unwinding and taking in sights that are close to your location. Just head some ten minutes away to the beautiful Lama Temple, where the serene atmosphere and sweet smell of incense will transport you far away from your everyday life. If you still have time in the afternoon you can stroll round the peaceful Beihai Park to get a feel for Chinese design and history. Finish up your day by taking in Ghost Street for a traditional Chinese meal. There is so much choice here that no matter what you like to eat you can find something delicious and reasonably priced.
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Presidential Plaza Beijing
Location:
view in google maps9 Fuchengmenwai Road Xicheng D
100037 Beijing, China
Phone:
+86 (0)10 6800 55882
Yonghe Gong (Lama Temple)
Location:
view in google mapsYong He Gong Dajie 12
South of the North Second Ring Rd. (entrance on the south end of the complex)
100007 Beijing, China
Phone:
010/6404-37693
Bei Hai Gongyuan (Beihai Park)
Location:
view in google mapsWenjin Jie 1
Xi Cheng Qu (south entrance is just west of the north gate of the Forbidden City; east entrance is opposite the west entrance of Jing Shan Park)
100034 Beijing, China
Phone:
010/6404-06104
Guijie (Ghost Street)
Location:
view in google mapsDongzhimennai Dajie
Beijing, China
Day 2 - Beijing
Now that you are well rested the real sightseeing can begin, and there is no better place to start than the legendary Forbidden City. Take the entire morning to stroll round this vast cultural mecca and experience what China was like during Imperial times. Either before or after you exit Forbidden City – depending on which side you arrive at the palace – you can look around the equally impressive Tiananmen Square. You might even be lucky enough to get a glimpse of Mao’s Tomb, although opening hours are quite variable so don’t be surprised if it is closed during your visit. Round off the day with an evening trip to the Dong Hua Men Night Market. You can choose from dozens of delicious snack foods as well as more adventurous fare such as cow stomach, scorpions on sticks and fried insect eggs.
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Forbidden City (Gu Gong)
Location:
view in google mapsNorth of Tiananmen Square
Dong Cheng District
100009 Beijing, China
Phone:
+86 0 10 6512 2255 / +86 0 10 6513 22552
Tiananmen Square
Location:
view in google mapsChang An Avenue
Dong Cheng District
100006 Beijing, China
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Dong Hua Men Night Market
Location:
view in google mapsXing Dong An Plaza
off Wangfujing Daije
100005 Beijing, China
Phone:
+86 10 8119 1011Day 3 - Beijing
The Summer Palace is one of the most important cultural landmarks in Beijing, and it is a place you can easily spend an entire day, depending on how much you want to see and how many miles of walking you want to put in. The Summer Palace or Yi He Yuan is great in both summer and winter, with the changing seasons giving the gardens a different feel and atmosphere every time. After a long day of walking you can treat yourself to that most traditional of Chinese foods – Beijing duck. Da Dong is the best of the lot for Beijing duck, but do expect to wait a while for a table as the place is always busy, particularly on weekends and holidays.
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Summer Palace (Yi He Yuan)
Location:
view in google mapsHai Dian
100091 Beijing, China
Phone:
+86 10 6288 11442
Da Dong Roast Duck Restaurant
Location:
view in google mapsBackside of Nanxincang Int'l Building, Dongsi Shitiao
Southwest of Dongsi Shitiao Bridge
Beijing, China
Phone:
86 10 5169 0328Day 4 - Beijing
If there is one historical landmark synonymous with China then it is the Great Wall. Beijing is one of the best places in China to see the Great Wall, and Simatai is the best of the sites for first-time visitors. It is less busy and less commercial than Badaling, and offers a nice mix between great views and hard walking. The easiest way to do the trip if you aren’t familiar with the language is to ask your hotel to book you on an excursion. You can then be picked up from the hotel, taken to the Great Wall for a few hours of walking and brought back again in the late afternoon. It may cost a little more than arranging it yourself, but will certainly be easier and less stressful. In the evening, enjoy traditional Chinese hot pot, where you cook your own meats and vegetables in beautifully seasoned broth.
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Great Wall at Simatai
Location:
view in google mapsGubeikou Town
Miyun County
101508 Beijing, China
Phone:
+86 10 6903 1051 / +86 10 6903 50252
Ding Ding Xiang
Location:
view in google mapsDong Zhong Jie 9
East Gate Plaza
100027 Beijing, China
Phone:
010/6417-9289Day 5 - Beijing
On your last day you may have less time to spare, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy more of Beijing’s rich history. Take in the beautiful Tian Tan or Temple of Heaven, and marvel at the intricately painted and carved towers. This will take up your morning, so you can then spend the afternoon getting some shopping done at the Panjiayuan antiques market. Pick up some cultural relics of your own before heading to the chic South Beauty restaurant. This chain of Sichuan restaurants combines modern style with deliciously fiery Sichuan cuisine. A great way to finish your cultural tour of the Beijing before returning home.
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Temple of Heaven (Tian Tan)
Location:
view in google mapsTian Tan North Road
100050 Beijing, China
Phone:
+86 (0)10 6702 22422
Panjiayuan
Location:
view in google mapsPanjiayuan Lu
Just inside Dongsanhuan Nanlu
100021 Beijing, China
Phone:
+86 10 6775 2405 / +86 10 6710 02983
South Beauty
Location:
view in google mapsL220, 2F, China World West Tower, 1 Jian Guo Men Wai Avenue
Chao Yang District
100004 Beijing, China
Phone:
86 10 6505 0809 / 86 10 6505 2288 (ext 80220)