Beijing. One of the world’s most important cities. This is not just a statement concerning contemporary times: Beijing has influenced throughout most of its 3,000 year old history. The city has been the nation’s capital for more than 800 years now, and this is reflected in the revered hold Beijing has in the hearts of all Chinese people. The volume of historical sites here is staggering: 7 UNESCO World Heritage Sites alone. You would be forgiven to half-expect UNESCO to set up an office here (which they actually did in 1984…). Modern-day Beijing is home to a ridiculous number of billionaires, tech companies and entrepreneurs – yet this money-rush has amazingly bypassed tradition to a large extent, allowing the city to retain its rich culture and almost nurturing authority. Beijing is a must visit when in China. Start to prepare your Beijing travel here…
Beijing travel starts with the Palace Museum (commonly referred to as the Forbidden City), one of China’s most prominent landmarks. This UNESCO World Heritage Site served as the imperial palace for 24 emperors during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Although no longer China’s political centre, the former glory of the palace is well and truly on show. Enclosed by 3,500 kilometres (2,100 miles) of citadel walls and covering an area of 72 hectares, the Forbidden City is gigantic. Not only is it a monumental architectural masterpiece, it is also a treasury housing a collection of around 2 million pieces of art (making it the world’s most visited museum), including ancient calligraphy and painting, imperial artefacts, ancient books and archives. This all leads to a must-see in Beijing.
Located to the south of the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square could well be the centre of China. A host of national symbols including the Tiananmen Tower, the Great Hall of the People, the National Museum of China, and the People’s Heroes Monument are located in the square. The daily (morning) held flag-raising ceremony here is also a great source of national pride.
Head south along the Forbidden City / Tiananmen Square axis to the UNESCO World Heritage listed Temple of Heaven Park. The park is an oasis of methodical Confucian design covering a huge 267-hectare area. The distinctively tri-layered Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests is what most people associate as the Temple of Heaven. Made entirely out of wood and without the use of nails, you will be photo-snapping away from every conceivable angle.
Located on the western outskirts of the city, continue the Beijing travel with the Summer Palace, the largest and most well-preserved royal park in China. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, this was once the palace and garden of the emperors of the Qing Dynasty. This really is a marvel of Chinese garden design and one of Beijing’s must-see attractions. The palace here underwent two major reconstructions after suffering damage during Anglo-French invasions in the 19th and 20th centuries.
After paying a visit to the Summer Palace, head over to the nearby Old Summer Palace. Although British and French troops reduced most of the palace to ashes in 1860, with a bit of imagination it is easy to see visualize the past glory of this imperial garden. Also nearby, Fragrant Hills Park is one of Beijing’s most beautiful city gardens. Hundreds of ancient relics and monuments are scattered throughout the lush wooded area here. For a truly memorable experience, pay a visit in September or October when the entire area turns an autumn-foliage fiery red.
Once the most exquisite personal garden and mansion in Beijing, Prince Gong’s Mansion is a relatively well-preserved relic of the Qing Dynasty. Located close to the city centre, the mansion was constructed in the year 1777, and the 30-odd different types of buildings here are a fine example of ancient Chinese architecture.
Beijing is a great base for visiting various sections of the Great Wall of China: most visitors to China will likely visit the Great Wall in Beijing, and that is completely fine. The Beijing sections of the wall are listed as an UNESCO World Heritage Site, and there are quite a few options to consider (our list is most definitely non-exhaustive). The sections of the wall vary with regards to ease of access, distance from downtown, popularity and preservation. All Beijing travel passes through the Great Wall.
The Badaling Great Wall section is easily reached from downtown Beijing and is the best preserved and most complete section among the various great walls in Beijing. Compared with other sections, most stairs are not very steep and they are equipped with handrails, so it is a relatively easier climb. This all leads to the section being the most popular with tourists, so just be prepared for crowds.
The Mutianyu Great Wall section is also a well preserved Great Wall section, located just 65 kilometres (40 miles) to the north of Beijing downtown. The Great Wall at Mutianyu has some truly breath-taking scenery (this section is known for its heavy concentration of watch towers and heavy forest coverage) but also sees less tourists, making it a great alternative to the Badaling section. No matter which section of the wall you decide to see, you are sure to be impressed.
Beijing is also home to some really cool and hip (as well as traditional, of course) neighbourhoods. The city is famed for its Hutongs: hutongs are a type of narrow street or alley, and in Beijing many of these are clustered together forming mini neighbourhoods. Ditching Google maps and just wondering throughout the city’s hutongs is a really great way to get a feel for local life (and snap up some sweet photos). Nanluoguxiang is a fashionable hutong packed with bourgeois sentimentality and old Beijing charm. Hop between the numerous art studios, cafes, bars, book stores and foodie joints here. 798 Art Zone is where the city’s cultured youth tend to congregate. Besides a host of coffee shops and restaurants, 798 Art Zone is home to art galleries, exhibition spaces, and independent artists.
The world-leading modern architecture of Beijing gives an insight into the city’s wealth-inspired future. The Bird’s Nest (National Stadium) was the main 100,000 person-capacity stadium of the 2008 Olympics, and the magnificent exterior of intersecting steel sections is sure to impress.
For a taste of modern Beijing (and the mind-boggling wealth that comes with it), head to the CBD area. Home to an impressive collection of skyscrapers, this is an insight into the nations full-throttled future. The CCTV Head Quarters building (aptly referred to as the “pants building”) may well be the epitome of modern architecture. Across the street, the China Zun (CITIC) skyscraper is a 109-storey, 528 meter (1,732 feet) behemoth. Beijing’s tallest building is shaped like a “zun”: a type of ancient wine vessel.
Continue the Beijing travel by heading 50 kilometres (31 miles) north west of down town Beijing to the Ming Tombs Scenic Area. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is a collection of 13 Ming dynasty emperor tombs. These fantastically preserved mausoleums are an outstanding representation of ancient Chinese burial custom. Round-off the historical feast with a visit to the Zhoukoudian Peking Man Site Museum. Yet another UNESCO World Heritage Site, the site is an exceptional reminder of the prehistorical human societies of the Asian continent and is also a great demonstration of evolution. One of the first specimens of Homo erectus, dubbed Peking Man, was found here (some specimens may be well-over 500,000 year old).
If you are afforded the luxury of time and are looking to explore some attractions a bit further off, Gubei Water Town is a great option. Set a couple hours drive from downtown Beijing, Gubei Water Town is a delightful combination of mountains and water-split ancient villages. Rows of stone houses and cobbled streets give the place a real uniqueness, and the town is also close by to the Simatai Great Wall section (a very dramatic and rustic section of the wall – well worth it). Great Wall hikes, hot springs and some tantalising local cuisine may just entice you to make the trip to Gubei Water Town.
We hope that this has given you some Beijing travel ideas!