Hello Kitty Pilgrimage (Beijing)

Beijing is the capital of the most populous country in the world, the People’s Republic of China. It was also the seat of the Ming and Qing dynasty emperors until the formation of a republic in 1911. As such it is rich in historical sites and important government institutions.

Beijing hosted the Summer Olympics in 2008. Much of the city was in upheaval as infrastructure was being frenetically constructed and sights were being renovated for the Games. Post-Olympics visitors can look forward to some modern additions to the city’s attractions, including the “Water Cube” and the “Bird’s Nest.”

The Forbidden City is the spot to appreciate the might and grandeur of the Imperial Chinese court during the height of its power in the Ming and Qing dynasties. Despite the transformation of the city around it, the Forbidden City remains mercifully relatively untouched.

Hutongs are Beijing’s ancient alleyways, where you can find traditional Beijing architecture. Rent a bicycle and traverse some of the remaining hutongs. Visit the Temple of Heaven early in the morning to see thousands of people starting the day with tai chi. Or see a Beijing opera at the Laoshe Tea House near Qianmen station. There are always short shows in the afternoon. Admission is free, but you should buy a cup of tea.

The Forbidden City, also known as the "Former Palace," was the imperial residence of the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) Dynasties. The complex has 70 structures and more than 9000 rooms. It is surrounded by a high wall and encircled by a moat. Turned into a museum in the early 20th Century, it houses a great collection of fine treasures. The Nationalist Party took a large number of these treasures to Taiwan in 1949 but 900,000 relics remain. Behind the palace is a delightful royal garden.

Tiananmen Square is the largest public square in the world and is considered a symbol of the People's Republic of China. The square is surrounded by a cluster of massive buildings including Tiananmen Gate, The Forbidden City, the Great Hall of the People, The Monument of the People's Heroes and the Mao Ze Dong Mausoleum. Tiananmen attracts thousands of visitors every year from throughout China due to its political and historical significance. The square was recently renovated to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.

While the infamous Silk Alley on Jian Guo Men attracts hordes of foreign tourists and prices to match, this little clothing market is where Chinese go for their silken chinoiserie. Running parallel to Qian Men Avenue at its northern end, it consists of stalls selling pyjamas, underwear, cheong sams, bags, ties and all manner of Chinese and Western garments made in silk. A popular product is the mini decorative silk mobile phone holder -- available in a variety of patterns for around RMB15. Prices are generally lower than in Silk Alley.

Located 15 kilometers from central Beijing, this World Heritage Site is a popular tourist attraction. The Summer Palace is a breathtaking display of ancient art and architecture, lush royal gardens and amazing views. The Palace consists of numerous pavilions, towers, bridges and corridors and the gardens are some of the best preserved in China. First built in the Qing Dynasty in 1750 and known as the Garden of Clear Ripples, the Palace was almost completely destroyed in the war of 1860 and was restored in 1886.

To the east of the Great Wall at Ba Da Ling  and 70 kilometers from the city is this restored section of the Great Wall. This three- kilometer stretch has 25 beacon towers, watch towers and lodging houses. Historically, the construction here required the largest number of laborers to construct and produced work of extremely high quality. It requires a more rigorous climb than Ba Da Ling, but the views are more striking and there are cable cars to take you to the top and even the option of an exhilarating toboggan ride back down.

Built in 1694, the Lama Temple (or Palace of Peace and Harmony) was the residence of Prince Yin Zhen, a son of Emperor Kang Xi of the Qing Dynasty. After the prince came to the throne, half of the residence was used as an imperial palace and the other half was converted to a lamasery. It features five large halls and five courtyards with beautifully decorative archways, upturned eaves and carved details. It houses a treasury of Buddhist art, including sculptured images of gods, demons and Buddhas, as well as Tibetan-style murals.

The Chinese Ethnic Culture Park in downtown Beijing includes 55 village gardens characterized by the folk styles of 55 Chinese ethnic groups. A variety of performances, held nearly every day, take place in the gardens. A compelling summer event is the Dai people's Water-Splashing Festival. From July 1 to August 31, many Dai girls in traditional costumes perform dances and throw water at each other and at tourists, too!