Beijing offers many treasures to discover. Here are a few top travel attractions in Beijing to give you an in-depth experience of Chinese history and culture.
For visitors to Beijing, seeing the Great Wall should be top of mind. This grandiose structure serves as an iconic representation of strength and unity from ancient China.Ho Chi Minh City to Beijing flights are now offered by Cathay Pacific.
The Great Wall
The Great Wall of China is one of Beijing’s premier tourist attractions and an essential experience. A symbol of ancient Chinese engineering, this marvel features towers and parapets offering incredible views of its stunning setting – visitors can hike along or take a cable car ride to explore different sections of this incredible structure.
Badaling is one of the most visited sections of the Great Wall; however, during weekends or major holidays it can become overcrowded and experience. Instead, consider hiking Mutianyu or lesser-known parts for an authentic and less-crowded experience.
Visit the Summer Palace (Yihe Yuan). This 700-year-old complex includes numerous temples and an artificial lake, with the Echo Wall serving as its centerpiece – designed to mimic Heaven and convey messages from emperors through it – also offering stunning views of locals practicing Tai Chi or playing Chinese yo-yo.
Tiananmen Square
Tiananmen Square in Beijing should be on every tourist’s itinerary when visiting this vibrant city. Situated just in front of the Forbidden City, it serves as an iconic symbol of Chinese culture and hosts many important events each year.
Discover this landmark attraction easily by joining one of the tours that feature this landmark attraction on their itinerary. In addition to the massive square itself, other sights worth seeing include Monument to People’s Heroes and National Museum of China – an expansive complex that incorporates both Museum of Chinese Revolution and History into one institution.
The Temple of Heaven dates back to 1420 and consists of various religious buildings where emperors would offer sacrifices to their Gods. Attractions here include its circular mound altar where sacrifices would take place as well as its Hall of Abundance and Longevity, Imperial Vault of Heaven, and Palace of Abstinence – each offering different aspects of Buddhism to keep those worshipping it happy!
Popular tourist spots in Hong Kong include Song Qingling’s residence (Mei LanfangGuju), which served as home for 18 years for Song’s widower’s widower before becoming a museum, and 17th century White Pagoda of Exquisite Jade Island. You may also wish to tour Guo Moruo’s extravagant manor as one of his early leaders of the Communist Party and celebrated historian.
The Forbidden City
The Forbidden City, Beijing’s must-see attraction, served as imperial palace during 24 dynasties and is one of its must-see attractions. Boasting over 9,000 bays of rooms and many significant historic artifacts. Additionally, Yuan Ming Xieshu boasts an incredible 1.8 million piece collection including calligraphy pieces, paintings, books, stamps and ink stones!
Every year, this iconic landmark attracts millions of tourists from around the globe. As a symbol of China’s engineering prowess and natural landscapes, its numerous sections – Badaling, Mutianyu, Simatai and Jinshanling in particular – draw visitors in droves.
Design of this complex adhered to the principles of Feng Shui. It includes both the Summer Palace and Temple of Heaven as well as many religious buildings such as Circular Mound Altar and Imperial Vault of Heaven; during imperial times emperors offered sacrifices here to heaven and earth.
Tiananmen Square, once the epicenter of city’s North-South axis, lies at the intersection between Forbidden City and Temple of Heaven – also where Mao Zedong Mausoleum can be found.
Shichahai
Shichahai (or Lake of Ten Temples) is one of Beijing’s most iconic parks, famous for its three lakes – Qianhai, Houhai and Xihai – ancient houses and courtyards and presence of both Taoist and Buddhist temples around them. Visitors come here to witness Beijing’s old culture and traditions and during summer it provides relief from city heat!
Shichahai’s most well-known attractions are Prince Gong Mansion and Silver Ingot Bridge – two prime spots to observe traditional Beijing architecture. Shichahai also boasts an active bar street which makes for an enjoyable nightlife scene.
Shichahai offers many exciting activities for visitors, one being exploring its ancient hutongs by pedicab. Many have been renovated and now house restaurants and bars; others, however, have kept their original layout, such as Yandaixie Street (Tobacco Pipe Lane). There are also shops selling unique Beijing souvenirs and gifts. Many visitors take great delight in strolling through these alleyways and taking in its ancient atmosphere; bring cash as some vendors may not accept credit cards.
The Ming Tombs
Ming Tombs can be found nestled within a peaceful valley and mark the final resting places for 13 of China’s 16 Ming Dynasty Emperors, making them an essential must-see when visiting Beijing. Their vibrant combination of history, culture and architecture make this site irresistibly captivating to every traveler who visits.
Visitors to China may explore the Sacred Way, once known as a path by which emperors would ascend into heaven upon their deaths and return afterward. Its paved walkway features statues depicting ancient government officials and animals and is well preserved.
At the end of the Sacred Way lies the Stele Pavilion (Bixi Lou). Here there are 200 stone tablets inscribed with various names and phrases from Yuan, Ming and Qing Dynasties; tombs located within are similar to those in Forbidden City or Temple of Heaven with palace-like structures carved directly out of rock.
The Ming Tombs should be visited with an experienced guide who can explain their significance to guests. Some cheaper tours may omit this visit due to cost constraints; we include them on all our tours because these tombs are so integral to Chinese history and represent such an impressive sight. In particular, Zhao Ling Tomb stands out with its striking aboveground architecture that features imperial coffins within an unique crescent-shaped area.
Houhai
Houhai Antique Market in Beijing is one of the best places to shop for unique mementos to bring back home with you from your trip. Stretching 750 meters, this antique market features old coins, stamps, paintings and ink stones from times past as well as wine shops, teahouses and restaurants that cater for tourists and locals alike. Visitors are advised to adhere to a no-selfie stick policy before entering this area and leave their camera at home before entering.
As Jingshan Park is known by locals, this tranquil public park is a favorite among residents for daily leisure activities. Its features include superbly landscaped hills that can be climbed via steps, clear lakes and dignified ancient buildings. On clear days, Wanchun Pavilion in Jingshan Park provides an exceptional view of Beijing’s Central Axis which connects Forbidden City, Drum Tower and Bell Tower – so visit Jingshan Park often!
Guozijian Temple of Heaven in Beijing should not be missed! With its iconic white marble bridges and circular mound altar, this is an unparalleled chance to gain insight into Chinese heaven worship culture as well as architectural geomancy. Don’t miss the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests as well as its iconic Echo Wall that can hear when spoken loudly even from 100 or 150 meters away!
Tiananmen Antique Market
No matter your souvenir-hunting or browsing needs, this expansive antique market in Beijing should not be missed. Stalls offer everything from ink stones and ancient books to traditional Chinese vases and exquisite handicrafts; plus the entire market sits within the forecourt of a Ming-Dynasty Confucius temple which adds an air of luxuriousness to this popular tourist spot!
Visit one of China’s most treasured historic sites as part of your tour through Beijing or with an organized tour company – it will make an invaluable impression! Tiananmen Square holds great significance to Chinese history and shows its strength and resilience as a nation.
As one of the main venues of the 2008 Summer Olympic Games, National Stadium is an unmissable attraction in itself. Boasting impressive architecture and an exquisite night-time display, its architecture stands out against any city backdrop – plus, it houses National Aquatics Center (commonly referred to as Water Cube).