Top Things to Do in Beijing
Beijing City is a mixture of modern development with ancient culture. Splendid imperial buildings telling mystery stories, numerous emerging things and lots of delicious food attract hundreds of thousands tourists from every corner in the world. This article is a guide to travelers maximizing their time when traveling to Beijing.
Tiananmen Square — the World's Biggest City
Square
Tiananmen Square (天安门广场 ★★★★★ )
Once the Palace Square of the Ming and Qing Dynasties outside the Forbidden City, now Tiananmen Square is the world’s largest city square, the heartland of Beijing. With an area of 44 million square meters, it spreads from Tiananmen in the north to Zhengyangmen in the south and the Museum of Chinese History of the east to the People’s Congress Hall of the west.
On Oct.1, 1949 AD, Chairman Mao announced the establishment of the People’s Republic
of China on Tiananmen Rostrum and after that Tiananmen Rostrum has become the symbol
of New China and a part of China National Emblem.
Admission: Free
Opening Hours: All day
Add: West Chang’an Avenue, Dongcheng District, Beijing City
地址：北京市东城区西长安街
Best time to travel: All year round
Suggested Tour Time: 1-2 hours
Suggestions: Join our 8 Essence of China Group Tour to see all the highlights of China from only USD $ 1,139 P/P.
The Forbidden City — Unlocking the Life of Imperial Family
The Forbidden City (故宫 ★★★★★)
The Forbidden City, which now is known as Imperial Palace or the Palace Museum, was home to 24 emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties. Located in Beijing center, it is the biggest and best-preserved ancient architecture complex of wooden structure around the world.
There are 4 gates of the Palace Museum, which are the Meridian Gate（the front gate）, Dong Hua Gate(the east gate), Xi Hua Gate (the west gate) and Shen Wu Gate(the north gate) respectively.
According to the layout and its function, the palace is divided into the outer palace
and the inner court by Qianqing Gate. The most significant parts of the outer palace
are Taihe Palace, Zhonghe Palace and Baohe Palace while the should-not-missed places
of the inner court are Qianqing Palace, Jiaotai Palace and Kungning Palace. Eight
special halls are set up for treasure and culture relic in the Palace Museum.
Entrance Admission: 60 Yuan/Adult (Apr.1-Oct.31); 40 Yuan/Adult
(Nov.1-Mar.31)
Halls Admission: 10 Yuan/Adult for Treasure House and Halls of
Watches&Clocks respectively
Opening Hours: 8:30-16:00(Apr.1-Oct.31); 8:30-15:40(Nov.1-Mar.31)
Add: No.4, Jingshanqian Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing City
地址：北京市东城区景山前街4号
Best time to travel: Autumn
Suggested Tour Time: 3-4 hours
Suggestions: Join our 8 Essence of China Group Tour to see all the highlights of China from only USD $ 1,139 P/P.
The Great Wall of Badaling — One of the Seven Wonders in the World
The Great Wall of Badaling (八达岭长城 ★★★★★ )
The Great Wall is known as one of the Seven Wonders in the world and its Badaling section represents most and is the best-preserved section among the Great Wall built during the Ming Dynasty. Located in Yanqing County, it was originally constructed for military defense. The battlements and watchtowers are in high and steep places with stunning views across the mountains. At present the sightseeing section is up to 3741 m with 16 watchtowers. Cable cars are provided to send tourists to the wall.
Besides the Great Wall, there are other scenic spots like Stone Tablets of the Great
Wall, Garden of Qi Ji Guang and Garden of Yuan Chong Huan.
Entrance Admission: 45 Yuan/Adult (Apr.1-Oct.31); 35 Yuan/Adult
(Nov.1-Mar.31)
Cable Car Fare: 40 Yuan/ Person for one-way and 80 Yuan/ Person
for round-trip
Opening Hours: 6:30-19:00(Apr.1-Oct.31) and 7:00-18:00(Nov.1-Mar.31)
Add: The North of Gu Dao, Jun Du Shan Pass, Yanqing County, Beijing
City
地址：北京市延庆县军都山关沟古道北口
Tel: 010-69121226
Best time to travel: Autumn
Suggested Tour Time: 3-4 hour hours
Suggestions: Join our 8 Essence of China Group Tour to see all the highlights of China from only USD $ 1,139 P/P.
Summer Palace —
Classical Imperial Garden
Summer Palace (颐和园 ★★★★★)
As the biggest and best-preserved imperial garden in China, Summer Palace is a must-see
for travelers in Beijing. Fragrant Buddha Tower, the Long Corridor, the Mable Boat,
Suzhou Street, Seventeen Arches Bridge, Garden of Harmonious Interests and the Theater
best present the beauty of Summer Palace. The garden is mainly divided into political
zone for handling domestic and foreign affairs, living quarter for imperial families
and leisure part for entertainment.
Admission: 30 Yuan/Adult for entrance and 60 Yuan/Adult for through
ticket (Apr.1-Oct.31); 20 Yuan/Adult and 50 Yuan/Adult for through ticket (Nove.1-Mar.31)
Opening Hours: 6:30-18:00(Apr.1-Oct.31) and 8:30-17:00(Nov.1-Mar.31)
Add: No.19, Xin Jian Gong Men Road, Haidian District, Beijing City
地址：北京市海淀区新建宫门路19号
Tel: 010-62881144
Best time to travel: Autumn
Suggested Tour Time: 4-5 hours
Suggestions: Join our 8 Essence of China Group Tour to see all the highlights of China from only USD $ 1,139 P/P.
Temple of Heaven — Be
Awe in Heaven
Temple of Heaven (天坛 ★★★★☆ )
Built in 1420, Temple of Heaven was a Taoist building complex for emperors during
the Ming and Qing Dynasties supplicating God’s blessings every year. It is 4 times
bigger than that of the Forbidden City, covering an area of 273 hectare. Now it
is also a good place to see how locals spend their spare time.
Admission: 15 Yuan/Adult for entrance and 35 Yuan/Adult for through
ticket (Apr.1-Oct.31); 10 Yuan/Adult and 30 Yuan/Adult for through ticket (Nov.1-Mar.31)
Opening Hours: 6:00-22:00
Opening Hours of Inner Attractions:
8:00-17:30（Mar.1-Jun.30）; 8:00-18:00（Jul.1-Oct.31）; 8:00-17:00（Nov.1-Feb.29）;
Add: No.7，Dong Li, Inside Temple of Heaven, Chongwen District,
Beijing City
地址：北京市崇文区天坛内东里7号
Tel: 010-67028866
Best time to travel: Spring and autumn
Suggested Tour Time: 4-5 hours
Suggestions: Join our 8 Essence of China Group Tour to see all the highlights of China from only USD $ 1,139 P/P.
Hutong — Reveal the Veil of Ancient Beijing
Hutong—Nan Luo Gu Xiang (胡同(南锣鼓巷) ★★★★★ )
Hutong is a perfect combination of traditional Beijing culture with modern literary life. If you are into traditional Beijing culture, then do not miss Hutong! And Nan Luo Gu Xiang stands out from Beijing Hutongs as one of the oldest blocks and the best-preserved courtyard area. At the moment it is also a very special bar street in Beijing with characteristics of peaceful, harmonious and natural. Don’t forget to try the delicious food in Wenyu Cheese Shop and Passby Bar.
The best way to see Hutong is by bike or on foot. Leisurely strolling around the
old alley and think of the past days of Beijingers and coming across a special cafe
unexpectedly to have a rest may give you a definitely different feeling. This place
offers a unique sense which you can’t find in other corners.
Admission: Free
Opening Hours: All day
Add: Nan Luo Gu Xiang, Dongcheng District, Beijing City
地址：北京市东城区南锣鼓巷胡同
Best time to travel: Autumn
Suggested Tour Time: 3-4 hours
Suggestions: Join our 8 Essence of China Group Tour to see all the highlights of China from only USD $ 1,139 P/P.
National Stadium — Revisit the Splendor of Beijing 2008 Olympic Games
Bird's Nest (鸟巢 ★★★☆)
National Stadium is also called Bird’s Nest located in the south of Beijing Olympic
Park, the main stadium of the 29th Beijing Olympic Games held in 2008. It is well-known
for its special shape resembles a bird’s nest. After the Olympic Games, the Bird’s
Nest together with Water Cube has become a hot attraction for tourists. If you are
just back to the city center from the Great Wall, stop by and walk around to see
these unique-designed architectures.
Park Admission: 50 Yuan/Person for Bird’s Nest and 80 Yuan/person
for through ticket of Bird’s Nest and Water Cube
Opening Hours: All day for the park and 9:00-18:00(Mar.1-Oct.31);
9:00-17:30(Nov.1-Feb.29) for Bird’s Nest and Water Cube
Add: No.3-3A, An Ding Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing City
地址：北京市朝阳区安定路甲3-3号
Tel: 010-84373008
Best time to travel: All Year round and the night scene is spectacular
Suggested Tour Time: 2 hours
Suggestions: Join our 8 Essence of China Group Tour to see all the highlights of China from only USD $ 1,139 P/P.
798 Art District — Where Art Meets Industry
798 Art District 798 (艺术区 ★★★★)
798 Art District is an emerging art area in China. It was a factory and rebuilt
into an art district years ago. Basing on the original structure, some artists make
the most of factory and decorate them into creative art spaces. There are still
some factories operating. A mixture of art and industry gives the area special atmosphere.
Many café and small art workshops are situated there. Exhibitions and lectures are
never absent in 798 Art District.
Admission: Free
Opening Hours: 10:00-17:00
Add: No.4，Jiu Xian Bridge Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing City
地址：北京市朝阳区酒仙桥路4号
Tel: 010-59789798
Best time to travel: All Year round
Suggested Tour Time: 3-4 hours
Suggestions: Join our 8 Essence of China Group Tour to see all the highlights of China from only USD $ 1,139 P/P.
Recommended Beijing and China Tours
8-day Essence of China Group Tour 2013
8-Day Beijing - Xian - Shanghai Group Tour: This is the essence of China. See extraordinary Great Wall, Terracotta Warriors and Horses and the Bund in 8 days experiencing our quality service all the way.
Price From: USD $1,129 p/p
4-Day Beijing: To know the imperial history of Beijing by visiting the Temple of Heaven, the Forbidden City and Tian'anmen Square; to appreciate the northern garden in the Summer Palace and to feel the splendor of China by traveling to Badaling Great Wall.
Price From: USD $419 p/p
5-Day Beijing :Explore the ancient Beijing by visiting The Summer Palace, Yonghe Lamasery and The Temple of Heaven; experience the splendid Beijing by traveling to the Mutianyu Great Wall and enjoy the modern Beijing during the exterior visit of Beijing Olympic Stadiums.
Price From: USD $499 p/p
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