Beijing Attractions

The Forbidden City

The Forbidden City was the seat of Imperial power for 500 years and is now a major tourist attraction in China. The total area of the complex is 183 acres. Altogether there are 9,999 1/2 rooms in the palace. The palace complex exemplifies traditional Chinese palatial architecture and has influenced cultural and architectural developments in the East. The Forbidden City was declared a World Heritage Site in 1987 and is listed by UNESCO as the largest collection of preserved ancient wooden structures in the world. Since yellow is the symbol of the royal family, it is the dominant color in it. Roofs are built with yellow glazed tiles; decorations in the palace are painted yellow; even the bricks on the ground are made yellow by a special process. However, there is one exception. Wenyuange, the royal library, has a black roof. The reason is that it was believed black represented water then and could extinguish fire. Nowadays, it is open to tourists from home and abroad. Splendid painted decoration on these royal architectural wonders, the grand and deluxe halls, with their surprisingly magnificent treasures will certainly satisfy ‘modern civilians’.

Tiananmen Square

Located at the center of Beijing City is Tiananmen Square, where you can visit Tiananmen Tower, Monument to the People’s Heroes, Great Hall of the People, Mao Zedong Memorial Hall and see the national flag raising ceremony. Thousands of people come to the Square every day. It is the must place to visit in Beijing City, which is the largest public square in the world. It is a tourist site everyone tends to visit on their trip to Beijing. A vast desert of paving stones, the square can hold over one million people. It lies on the historical central axis going through the Forbidden City.

The Temple of Heaven 

The 500-year-old Temple houses altars on which sacrifices and offerings were laid to the gods in a glorious setting of gardens, trees and sculptures. The Temple is divided by two encircling walls into an inner part and outer part. The main buildings lie at the south and north ends of the middle axis of the inner part. The most magnificent buildings are the Circular Mound Altar (Huanqiutan), the Imperial Vault of Heaven (Huangqiongyu) and the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvest (Qiniandian) from south to north.

There are over 60,000 varieties of trees. The most famous tree is the grandfather tree – a 500-year-old Nine-Dragon Cypress with branches like nine dragons winding with each other. These trees create a quiet environment and an ideal resort for the locals to do their morning exercise. Residents living near the Temple of Heaven enjoy many activities here, such as running, cycling, singing, dancing, playing chess, flying kites, etc. You can become involved personally in these activities and experience the leisure pursuits of local people.

Beijing Olympic stadium – the birds nest

Affectionately known as Bird’s Nest, it is situated in the Olympic Green Village, Chaoyang District. It was designed as the main stadium of 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. The Olympic events of track and field, football, gavelock, weight throw and discus were held there. Since October 2008, after the Olympics ended, it has been opened as a tourist attraction. Now, it’s the center of international or domestic sports competition and recreation activities.

The design of this large stadium was accomplished together by Swiss architects Jacques Herzog and Pierre de Meuron and Chinese architect Li Xinggang and the others. The designers didn’t do any redundant disposals to the look of the stadium. They just exposed the steel structures entirely and let them become the most natural appearance. The form of the stadium looks like a big nest that embraces and nurses human beings. Also, it looks rather like a cradle bearing human beings’ hope of the future.

Mutianyu Great Wall

The Great Wall at Mutianyu is a little further away from Beijing than the most popular section at Badaling, but it is not as crowded as others and Wall and steps are in good shape.  This section of the wall is fully restored, there are handrails to help you up on the very steep parts and the views are spectacular.  

Located in Huairou County about 45 miles from Beijing, Mutianyu Great Wall enjoys a long history and is part of the glorious culture of China. It connects Juyongguan Pass in the west and Gubeikou Great Wall in the east. The wall was first built in Northern Qi Dynasty (550 – 557). In Ming Dynasty (1368 – 1644), Tan Lun and Qi Jiguang, two famous patriotic generals, rebuilt it in order to strengthen its defensive potential when they guarded the strategic pass. It served as the northern protective screen, guarding the capital and imperial mausoleums for generations.

There are 22 watch towers distributed at close intervals along the wall. They are located not only in the main wall but also at the distinctive ‘branch cities’. Branch cities are built on the hill ridge against the inner or outer side of the wall. They measure from several yards to dozens of yards across. On the northwest over 3,281-feet hills, lies a section of the wall called ‘Ox Horn Edge’. On the steep and lofty peaks, there are two walls named ‘Flying Eagle Flies Facing Upward’ and ‘Arrow Lock’. What is more rarely seen on the southeast side is a general gateway platform guarded by three watchtowers together. In locations of strategic importance, batteries are set up to reinforce the defense capabilities. Mutianyu really deserves to be the archetype of the ten thousand li Great Wall.

Late Autumn Scenery on the wall beside its strategically important location and compact layout, the Mutianyu Great Wall is also famous for the breathtakingly beautiful scenery. Woods cover over ninety-six percent of the total scenic area. The wall presents different aspects of beauty in the four seasons. Flowers bloom all over the mountains in spring.  Grasses dress the hillside green in summer. Trees are laden with sweet fruits in autumn, and especially in October, leaves are turning red or yellow, touching the mountain tops with gold. In winter, the wall is covered with snow, making it seem more magnificent. The pine trees around the wall are well-known. There are more than 20 pines over 300 years old and about 200 pines over 100-year-old. Besides, spring water at the foot of the wall tastes pure and fragrant, much appreciated by visitors.

What’s more, the national first-rate cable car is installed in Mutianyu. A sled named ‘Speed’ will give you an opportunity to experience thrills by taking you to swoop down from the high mountains. China Stone City collects weird and beautiful stones, attracting more and more visitors to come and see.

Juyongguan Great Wall

Juyongguan Pass is located 20 kilometers (12 miles) north of Changping County, about 60 kilometers (37 miles) from Beijing. It is a renowned pass of the Great Wall of China. Enlisted in the World Heritage Directory in 1987, it is a national cultural protection unit.

Situated in a valley surrounded by mountains, Juyongguan Pass has long been a military stronghold. As early as the Spring and Autumn Period (770BC-476BC) and Warring States Period (476BC-221BC), the Yan State built fortifications here. In the Northern and Southern Dynasties (386-589), this section was linked to the Great Wall of China. This pass served as a natural barrier to the capital of Yuan (1271-1368) and Ming (1368-1644) Dynasties. Therefore, immediately after the founding of his reign, Zhu Yuanzhang, the first emperor of the Ming Dynasty, ordered the pass to be rebuilt to protect the borders from intrusions of the Mongolian tribe. Many fierce battles were fought here.

The pass is roughly circular with a perimeter of about 4,142 meters (about 4,530 yards). It consists of two passes, one in the south, one in the north, respectively called ‘Nan Kou’ and ‘Badaling’.

In the middle of the pass lies a high platform called ‘Cloud Platform’, which is made of white marble. In the Yuan Dynasty, three stone towers were built on the platform. At the end of the Yuan Dynasty, they were burnt down. Later, a temple called ‘Tai’an’ was built on the site, but it was burnt down during the reign of Emperor Kang Xi of Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), after which only the platform remained. Inside the platform is an arched doorway. On the walls of the doorway, the statues of four heavenly gods and sutra scriptures are carved.

Juyongguan Great WallJuyongguan Pass is not just a military stronghold, but also a beautiful scenic spot. Around the pass, beautiful flowers and lush trees dot the mountains. A splendid picture! As early as the Jin Dynasty (1115-1234), it was named as one of the eight best scenery of Beijing. The extent pass was built in the Ming Dynasty. In the Qing Dynasty, reconstruction work was neglected. In 1992 and 2000, the pass was renovated.

Ming Tombs

The mausoleums have been perfectly preserved, as has the necropolis of each of the many emperors. Because of its long history, palatial and integrated architecture, the site has a high cultural and historic value.

In the scenic area, each mausoleum has its own independent unit. The layout and arrangement of all the thirteen mausoleums are very similar, but they vary in size as well as in the complexity of their structures. Each of the tombs was built in an area at the foot of the mountain, with distances ranging from half a kilometer (547 yards) to eight kilometers (8,749 yards) between them. The other tombs stretch out on the two sides of the Changling Tomb in a fan shape, except for the Siling Tomb, which sits separately in the southwest corner. From site selection to design, great attention was paid to the harmony and unity with nature, pursuing a perfect situation of ‘made by God’ and reflecting the philosophy ‘the unity of heaven and humanity’. As outstanding representatives of the ancient Chinese mausoleum, the Ming Tombs demonstrate the richness of traditional Chinese culture.

At present, only the Sacred Way, Changling Tomb, Zhaoling Tomb and the Dingling Tomb are open to the public.

The Summer Palace 

The largest and the best preserved of all imperial palace gardens, which boast delights such as the famous Marble Boat and the ornately painted ‘Long Corridor’.

Situated in the Haidian District northwest of Beijing City, the Summer Palace is 15 kilometers (9.3 miles) from central Beijing. Being the largest and most well-preserved royal park in China, it greatly influences Chinese horticulture and landscape with its famous natural views and cultural interests, which also has long since been recognized as ‘The Museum of Royal Gardens’.

The construction started in 1750 as a luxurious royal garden for royal families to rest and entertain. It later became the main residence of royal members at the end of the Qing Dynasty. However, like most of the gardens of Beijing, it could not elude the rampages of the Anglo-French Allied Force and was destroyed by fire. According to historical documents, with the original name as ‘Qingyi Garden’ (Garden of Clear Ripples), the Summer Palace (Yiheyuan) was renamed after its first reconstruction in 1888. It was also recorded that Empress Dowager Cixi embezzled navy funds to reconstruct it as a resort in which to spend the rest of her life. In 1900, the Summer Palace suffered another hit by the Eight-Power Allied Force and was repaired in the next two years. In 1924, it was open to the public. It ranked amongst the World Heritage Sites by UNESCO in 1998, as well as one of the first national AAAAA tourist spots in China.

Hutong tour with a rickshaw ride

The word “hutong" means narrow lanes and was formed during the Yuan Dynasty in the 13th century. In Beijing, there are mainly two hutong areas – Shichahai area in Dongcheng District and Qianmen area in Xuanwu District, both well preserved. You may explore the narrow and curved alleys on foot, by pedicab or by bike.

Siheyuan literally means a courtyard house, a house enclosed by four walls, called a quadrangle courtyard. In Chinese history, the Siheyuan building was the basic system of the building for housing, palaces, temples, and government offices. There are three kinds of Siheyuan – small, medium and big courtyard houses. The well preserved residential quadrangles are mainly scattered over the East District, West District of the city.

Not available on weekends.

Beihai Park 

Beihai Park located in central Beijing is one of the oldest and most authentically preserved imperial gardens in China. This ancient garden, with over 1,000 years’ history, is not only a classic combination of the grandiosity of the northern gardens and the refinement of the southern gardens in China but also a perfect integration of magnificent imperial palaces and solemn religious constructions.

Beihai has existed throughout the Liao, Jin, Yuan, Ming and Qing Dynasties. Most of the buildings now standing were constructed during Emperor Qianlong’s reign in the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911 A.D.).

Beihai was opened to the public in 1925 and in 1961 it was one of the first important cultural sites placed under protection by the State Council. The park occupies an area of 69 hectares including a 39-hectare lake. In the garden, pavilions and towers nestle amid the beautiful scenery of lakes and hills, grass and trees. Carrying on the traditions of garden landscaping of ancient China Beihai is a gem of garden art.

Beijing Capital Museum

The initial work on it started in 1953, and it was formally open to the public in 1981. The Confucian Temple was its original site. In order to accommodate a larger collection and a better service to visitors, the new museum was built in December 2001 and opened on May 18th, 2006. It is located at 16 Fuxingmenwai Dajie in the west extension of Chang’an Avenue, in Xicheng district. It had an area of 24,800 square meters with five floors above ground and two floors underground; its floor area has now reached 63,390 square meters.

Collecting, exhibiting cultural relics, and undertaking related research are the three main tasks. It has fully adopted internationally advanced technology in its construction and ranks among the best in China. With its imposing building, abundant exhibitions, high technology and advanced services, it has placed itself in the world a leading position. Cultural relics unearthed in Beijing are its main items on display, which bear the forceful features of the city.

Exhibitions

It collected various kinds of cultural relics extensively over the past decades. Bronzes, porcelain ware, calligraphy works, paintings, coins, jades, seals, needlework, Buddhist statues are in its collection. Some of them enjoy a high reputation both at home and abroad for their rarity.

Most of the collections are those unearthed after the foundation of the People’s Republic of China. Some cultural relics even date back to the New Stone Age. In total, there are 5,622 pieces of cultural relics on exhibition in the main exhibition hall and in the oval exhibition hall.

Stele of Emperor Qian Long — Representative Treasure

The Stele of Emperor Qian Long is a treasure. This stele with a height of 6.7 meters (22 feet) and a weight of over 40 tons is constructed of white marble and is well preserved. The Stele of Qian Long is composed by the Stele body, two stele caps and two stele bases. The inscription on the stele is in both Manchu and Han languages and in the Kai (regular script) characters. It contains two passages, which share the idea to demonstrate the significance of the capital. These two passages are also the greatest value among the Steles of this emperor.

In addition, it has many other valuable cultural relics. Its exhibition can be divided into three parts – the temporary exhibit, the main display, and the fine collection display.

Temporary Exhibit

It occupies two floors of the main exhibition hall, on the lower ground and ground floors. The items on display are constantly renewed. The culture of Beijing and other places of China and the world may all be the themes of the temporary exhibits.

Main Display

The main display includes exhibitions on history, building construction and folk customs of Beijing.

Special private tour within the Forbidden city

Private access to Chong Hua palace

Chong Hua Palace is not open to the public. Few visitors know about it, visitors will need to get permission in advance. 
The Chong Hua Gong (Palace of Double Glory) is located on the western route of the inner count and built by the Yongzheng emperor for his heir-designate (the Qianlong Emperor) in 1727. Although Qianlong moved out from Chong Hua Gong after he ascended the throne, he met friends administers in this palace privately. Every Lunar New Year, the emperor would gather the ministers in Chong Hua palace to make poems and tea banquet. The furniture and buildings’ arrangements are preserved from the Qianlong period. Since travellers can rarely visit here, the courtyard is quiet and all that you hear is the voices of history.
It is a great experience for people who are interested in history and wish to know more about the culture and traditions of Chinese palaces and Royal life at that time.

Optional activities (at additional costs)

Special private tour within the Forbidden city

Private access to Chong Hua palace 

Family visit 

Go to an ordinary family courtyard home for a tea break, experience their daily life.

Private Kongfu class

A private Kong fu class is available in the garden next to the Temple of Heaven. The class includes an English speaking coach. Learn philosophy and also practice basic Kungfu.

Diner Options (dinner suggestion)

Imperial cuisine
An interesting and unique experience, as if you were the guests dining in an ancient Chinese Palace, tasting the signature dishes used to serve the royal families. >>more

Peking duck banquet and restaurant tour
You can take a behind-the-scenes kitchen tour to see the process of making the best tasting Ducks in Bejing at DaDong Duck, the best Duck restaurant in Beijing.