Tourist Attractions in Beijing

Touring this ancient city is one way to transport back in time as well as experience the transformation of modern Beijing.

The Great Wall

Without a doubt, the Great Wall is one of the most amazing structures ever built. Seen from a distance, the Wall is an awesome spectacle, snaking across the hills of northern China seemingly without end. The Wall stretches from Shan Hai Guan Pass on the east coast to the Jia Yu Guan Pass in the Gobi Desert, far to the west. Originally built 2,000 years ago during the Qin Dynasty (221-207 BC), the Wall was designed to keep out foreign invaders—in which capacity it succeeded at times and failed dismally at others. Constructed with beacon towers, it also served as an enemy alert system by using smoke systems to warn of approaching enemies. In peacetime, the Wall has proved useful as a highway, transporting people and supplies over large distances. Most stretches of the Wall close to Beijing were rebuilt or re-fortified during the Ming Dynasty. Of the eight sites of the Great Wall, there are four sections near Beijing open to tourists: Badaling, Mutianyu, Huanghuacheng and Simatai. The majority of visitors see Badaling, which is relatively close (70 kilometres) to the city. Restored in 1957, Badaling is the most commercial section of the Wall and comes with such modern conveniences as restaurants and a cinema. Here you can also visit the Great Wall Museum to acquaint yourself more with this historical marvel. Mutianyu, 90 kilometres from Beijing, is the second site of the wall open to tourists and is also fairly commercial. For those who want to see the Great Wall in an unspoiled state, Simatai is the place to go. You can spend an enjoyable day hiking there and the site is quieter and less crowded than Badaling or Mutianyu. Although both peaceful and beautiful, Simatai is also a physical challenge. Some parts of the wall are very steep and can be dangerous so it is best not to go alone. Wear sturdy shoes and keep your hands free.

Forbidden City (Gu Gong)

Home to two dynasties, the Ming and the Qing, the Forbidden City was constructed in the 15th century, and was home to about 24 emperors. Under the reign of Yong Le of the Ming Dynasty, the construction of the Imperial Palace complex required the effort of a million laborers. Most of the buildings have been rebuilt or restored as the originals were destroyed during the tumultuous events of recent Chinese history. The palace is massive with a lot of ground to cover. It is probably best to go with a tour group so that you do not miss anything, but an audiotape tour is also available. Located inside is the Palace Museum. You will see various grand temples and halls but the main highlights are the Three Great Halls, and the Hall of Supreme Harmony. The latter hall was traditionally the most important structure used for imperial ceremonies such as the Emperor's birthday. Nearby is also the Beijing Museum of Natural History where you can explore the evolution of life. While in the area you may want to visit the Beijing Museum of Ancient Architecture which elaborates on the the achievements of the tradition of unique Chinese architecture.

Temple of Heaven (Tian Tan)

The Temple of Heaven was built during the Ming Dynasty and was considered sacred until the end of the dynastic era. The Emperor would perform ceremonial rites to the gods here, to ensure a good harvest. But this place is also remarkable for its outstanding architecture and is located within the grounds of the Beijing Museum of Ancient Architecture and the Beijing Museum of Natural History. The upper parts of the temples are circular while the bases are square (reflecting the traditional Chinese belief that heaven is round and the earth square). Next venture to the most significant Tibetan Buddhist temple outside Tibet itself, is the Lama Temple, a beautiful structure containing a massive statue of Buddha carved from sandalwood (the largest such statue in the world). This temple has a rich and turbulent history, having survived wars, uprisings and rebellions. Declared as a historical relic in 1949, the building escaped the Cultural Revolution without a scratch. There are five "must see" halls in total: Lokapala, Yong He Dian, Yong You Dian, the Hall of the Wheel of Law, and Wan Fu Pavilion. Do not miss a single one!

Beijing's Hutongs

Several districts of historical architecture were preserved in the preperations for Beijing's Olympics. Located at the city center, these intricate alleyways wind around classic courtyard houses, called siheyuan in Mandarin. The most visited of these neighborhoods lies between Hou Hai and the Lama Temple. While exploring on foot can lead to exciting discoveries, bicycle rickshaw tours are also available. The Former Residences of Soong Ching Ling, wife of Sun Yat-sen, Twentieth Century writers Mao Dun and Lao She have all been preserved for visitors. The former residence of Mei Lanfang, most recognized Peking Opera singer in the west, has been turned into a decadent restaurant worth a visit. Tiny shops, beautiful embellishments at gates and many other surprises await the traveler to these tiny lanes too small to fit a car through.

Scenic cruises throughout Beijing will leave you wishing your visit was longer. With so much to see and do, try one of the various tour companies to fulfill your stay in Beijing.

Bus Tours

Beijing Join In Bus Tour ( +86 10 51660915 25/ http://www.beijingimpression.com/bus.htm/ ) Beijing eTours Travel Service ( +0 086 10 67160201/ http://beijing.etours.cn/tours/beijing_bus_tours/ )

Boat Tours

Tour Beijing ( +00 86 10 6716 0201/ http://www.tour-beijing.com/ ) Sinoway Travel ( +1 415 287 0878/ http://www.chinadiscover.net/china-tour/beijingguide/beijing-boattour.htm/ )

Train Tours

Travel China Guide ( +86 29 8523 6688/ http://www.travelchinaguide.com/package/beijing.htm/ ) China Highlights ( +1 800 268 2918/ http://www.chinahighlights.com/tour/cht-29a/ )

Culinary Tour

Beijing Culinary Tour ( +1 800 773 0862/ http://www.chinaodysseytours.com/tour_beijing.html/ )