Home / City Guide / Beijing /

Beijing Attractions

Beijing, the heart of China, is always the first choice of travelers who are willing to know a time-honored and developed city of China. It has been the political, economic and cultural center of China for over 800 years from the Yuan Dynasty. The numerous royal buildings with long history endow Beijing with incomparable charm, not only the 'Nation's Best' but also the 'World's Best'. On the other hand, as the host city of the 2008 Olympic Games, this oriental ancient city presented her best fashion fascination to the world.

Top Attractions

Forbidden City, an imperial palace for over 500 years

Forbidden City
The magnificent Forbidden City is the largest and the best-preserved imperial palace complex in the world. It has 9,999 rooms in flourishing period with just a single room short of the number that ancient Chinese belief represents 'Divine Perfection' and surrounded by a moat six meters deep and ten-meter high wall. For five centuries, this palace functioned as the administrative center of the country.

Great Wall, one of the world''s seven wonders

Great Wall in Beijing
The Great Wall of China is one of the 'Eight Wonders of the World' and is enlisted in the World Heritage Directory. This immense wall was built to keep out invaders as well as to retain the inhabitants. It spans five provinces from Shanhaiguan Pass in the east to Jiayuguan Pass in the west, looking like a gigantic dragon across deserts, grasslands and mountains. In the downtown area, it is possible to climb Badaling Great Wall.

Tiananmen Square
The solemn and respectful Tiananmen Square is the largest central city square in the world, which serves not only the city's symbol but also the whole of China. This immense courtyard is surrounded by a variety of significant edifices such as the Tiananmen Tower, Great Hall of the People, Memorial Hall of Chairman Mao, Monument to the People's Heroes and National Museum.

Recommended Tours

Beijing Mini Group Day Tour from $89

Beijing 2 Days Group Tour from $169

4 Days Beijing Private Tour from $529

8 Days Beijing Xi'an Shanghai Group Tour from $1304

Imperial Gardens & Mausoleums

It is the capital city of several Dynasties. Therefore, besides the spectacular imperial palaces, it also possesses the most luxurious royal gardens—the well-preserved Summer Palace with an area of 727 acres, the elegant Beihai Park and the destroyed Old Summer Palace. On the other hand, those Emperors also constructed spectacular mausoleums for themselves. The Ming Tombs of the 13 emperors should be the most excellent necropolis.

Temples

Due to religion was always related with the supreme imperial power, it at one time served as the focus of religious life with lots of beautiful temples. The Temple of Heaven, where the Emperors paid homage to the glory of heaven, is the largest group of structures in the country dedicated to rituals. To be opposite, the Altar of Earth was used to worship the God of the Earth. The Great Bell Temple, where the Emperor prayed for rainfall in the Qing Dynasty.

Historical Sites

If you would like to experience the local life and have a different vacation in Beijing, there is a great deal of Hutongs and Courtyards distributed for your choice. The Prince Gong's Mansion should be the most magnificent courtyard, which was the residence of an official and then a prince. Other famous historical sites include the Bell and Drum Towers, Liulichang Cultural Street (Colored Glaze Factory Culture Street) for people interested in Chinese calligraphy, painting or other artwork, the Lugou Bridge carved with marvelous stone lions.

Modern Scenic Spots

Beijing National Stadium, namely the Bird's Nest

Thanks for the 29th Summer Olympics, the city has been well-known for travelers all over the world. This hospitable metropolis has been mixed with lots of modern elements, which is also a new part for its mysterious orient civilization. Your Beijing vacation should not miss the representative buildings displaying this international metropolis, such as the National Stadium and the National Aquatics Center for 2008 Olympics.

Natural Beauties

Jingshan Park, a leisure place for locals

For a peaceful and interesting stroll, please visit the beautiful parks. Located at the back of the Forbidden City, the Jingshan Park is an ideal place for an overview of the city, which was also an imperial garden in ancient time. The Fragrant Hills Park has the most beautiful red maple leaves in every autumn. The Taoranting Park is a wonderful workmanship of Chinese ancient and modern architectural skills. The Stone Flower Cave is an astonishing karst park.

Top 10 Things to Do in Beijing

Top 10 Places to Visit in Beijing

Where to Stay in Beijing – 10 Best Areas

- Last updated on Aug. 23, 2024 by Sule Su -

Questions & Answers on Beijing Attractions

Asked by Lin from GERMANY | Aug. 25, 2020 01:29

When will Prince Gong's Mansion in Beijing open its doors?

Hi,
today it must have been my 5th attempt to visit Prince Gong's Mansion, but it was closed again.
Before I forgot the Monday-thing, 2018 it was closed due to renovations. Should re-open in May, but was still closed in June...

A passer-by told me it would bei open in September? Do you know more?

Thanks in advance!

Answers (1)

Answered by Kaylee | Aug. 26, 2020 20:36

The news on its official website shows that it is scheduled to close until late July. The reopen time is till unclear.

Asked by Walter H Martinez from CHINA | Jun. 03, 2020 20:00

Looking for a Romantic weekend get away similar to Gubei Water Town..

Are there any places similar to Gubei Watertown? I saw your recommendation of Gubei its an amazing place fro a romantic weekend... are there any other places similar or alike?

Answers (1)

Answered by Andrew from FRANCE | Jun. 15, 2020 02:28

You are suggested to go to Lingshui Village (灵水村) and Cuandixia Village (爨底下村).

Asked by SHHH | Sep. 25, 2019 23:53

簋街

Hi saw same nice photo of this place,

is it a streets of shops selling food

night?

or is there a location for it? cant seem to find it on the map..

Answers (2)

Answered by Jamie from FINLAND | Sep. 27, 2019 00:53

Yes, there are many shops selling foods at night. Don't worry. The street is located at Dongzhimennei Dajie, Dongcheng District.

Answered by Sywan from CHINA | Nov. 29, 2019 23:33

There are lots of delicous food in here. Hope u like it.

Asked by Leong from SINGAPORE | May. 31, 2019 05:29

May i know how much is the taxi fare from Beijing Airport to gubei water town?

Answers (1)

Answered by Nancy from AMERICA | Jun. 02, 2019 18:07

It is about 140km between these two places, and the taxi fare will be CNY 450 to CNY 500. However, I'm afraid there is no driver would like to do this business because of the long-distance. Thus you are suggested to hire a private car directly.

Asked by Marvin from MOOI | Mar. 20, 2019 02:11

We love flowers; especially Beijing spring flowers.

For this April / May 2019, where would you recommend that we go to catch them ?
There are so many flowers that we would like to see in PEK and understand they are spread all over. However what would be the top 3 places to catch majority of them ?
Thank you

Answers (2)

Answered by Agnes from FRANCE | Mar. 25, 2019 19:26

Oh, yes, you can see the beautiful scenery of spring flowers in the city. In my eyes, I think the top 3 places are the City Botanical Garden, Yuyuantan Park and Dajue Temple.

Answered by Marvin from MALAYSIA | Mar. 25, 2019 23:18

Dear Agnes, Thank you.

Beijing Attractions

Beijing Attractions

Top Attractions

Recommended Tours

Imperial Gardens & Mausoleums

Temples

Historical Sites

Modern Scenic Spots

Natural Beauties

You May Like