Beijing - Gheos Worldguide

Běijīng (北京)

Beijing is the capital of China and that is felt throughout the country. No matter in what time meridian other parts of China are, the whole country uses Beijing time, Putonghua, the Beijing dialect is China's national language and every little decision must be verified by Beijing first.

The city is well designed, although it might not appear like that when you first arrive there. It has long straight boulevards, crisscrossed by lanes. Many of Beijing's attractions are located on one of the boulevards and easy to find, but some are hidden in a maze of alleyways and narrow roads. Many of the old hutongs (narrow alleys) and buildings are being demolished and new ones are being built instead, along wider, better designed streets.

Beijing's central core was once a walled city and still nowadays you can see its ancient north-south symmetry along the axis that runs through Qianman (Front Gate). The Forbidden City lies in the center of it all, while the new city is built around it. Numerous small villages known as li, used to lie in the area around the city, but they have been integrated over time when Beijing grew.

Nowadays the capital consists of 10 districts and eight counties. Beijing is a modern place, where people are busy calling on their cell-phones, working on their pc's or enjoying a night out in a fancy club. Beijing is not at all anymore what it used to be like under Mao.

It is thought the area where Beijing is situated nowadays, was first inhabited some 500,000 years ago. It slowly developed, and around 1000 BC it had become a trading town for Mongols, Koreans and tribes from Shandong and central China. Genghis Khan burnt it to the ground in 1215 AD, but it was soon rebuilt.

Gengis' grandson Kublai Khan located his capital of Dadu (Great Capital) there. In 1368, the mercenary Zhu Yanhang took over the city and ushered it in the Ming Dynasty. It was renamed Beiping, which means 'Northern Peace', but it lost its status as capital, as Nanjing served that purpose until 1403. In that year the city's name was changed into Beijing (Northern Capital) and became the capital once again.

It was in that time the Forbidden City was constructed. Later, in the 17th century, the Manchu invaders established the Qing Dynasty and Beijing was expanded. The English and French looted numerous treasures from Beijing's palaces during the 19th century. They left the summer palace was in shambles. During the 1930s China was occupied by the Japanese, who did their bit of destruction.

In 1949 Mao Zedong proclaimed the 'People's Republic' in Tian'anmen Square and the communists immediately started tearing down most of what was left of Beijing's ancient treasures. During that time numerous huge, Soviet style buildings and monuments were constructed. During the 1980's China slowly started opening up to the rest of the world. When students held a massive pro-democracy protest in Tian'anmen Square in 1989 to rally for faster progress, the demonstration was brutally cracked down by Deng Xiaoping's government forces.

A lot has changed since then. There are numerous modern (capitalist) features in Beijing. You will see huge shopping malls, expensive cars and modern glass and steel skyscrapers, but the government lags hopelessly behind. Politically Beijing is still stuck in the old days. Missiles were fired into waters just off Taiwan in 1996 and during the island's presidential election in 2000 threats were made against the Taiwanese people, better not to elect a pro-independence candidate.

Beijing has had a face-lift in the beginning of the 21st century, as it hosted Olympic Games in 2008 and the Olympic Winter Games in 2022; the only city to ever host both events. In Beijing you'll find palaces, temples, parks, gardens, tombs, walls and gates, but also the most modern skyscrapers and shopping centers. There are countless monuments and museums in the city, as well as the 8 UNESCO world heritage sites of:

The Forbidden City
The Temple of Heaven
The Summer Palace
Tombs from the Ming Era
The Site of the Zhoukoudian Peking Man
Beijing Central Axis
Several Sections of The Great Wall of China
The Grand Canal

You will need many days to visit all the attractions Beijing has to offer.

Places to Visit

Forbidden City

Large parts of the Forbidden City (Zǐjìnchéng, 紫禁城) were built in the 15th century and it was off limits to visitor until the last decades of the 20th century. It is the largest and best-preserved cluster of ancient buildings in China. The emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties used to rule the country from the Forbidden City. Decrees were delivered to the masses by eunuchs and other powerful court officials.

Originally the entire forbidden city was walled, but invading Manchus, the British, the French, the Japanese, Mao's revolution and extreme weather conditions have all taken their toll and large parts of the walls and the ancient buildings were lost. There are still many lush gardens, courtyards, pavilions and great halls of the palace that are well worth a visit. They mostly date from the 18th century and are continuously being restored and renovated. A special restoration team does the entire place up in about 10 years, after which they start all over again. The Forbidden City covers some 720,000 m² and includes 800 buildings and 9,000 rooms.

Summer Palace

The remains of the Summer Palace (Yíhéyuán, 颐和园) are on the outskirts of Beijing. It sits in a huge, lush park, close to Kunming Lake, which takes up about 75% of the area. There are also numerous gardens and hills and the area is excellent to picnic and soak up some peace and quiet after walking around Beijing.

It used to be the favorite vacationing spot for emperors and Dowager Empresses. The Anglo-French troops damaged it badly during the Second Opium War in 1860. Empress Dowager Cixi, the last of the Qing dynasty rulers, tried to restore it, but failed hopelessly. The disintegration of the Qing dynasty and the Boxer Rebellion caused the project to fail. The only thing that was restored is the marble boat at the edge of the lake.

The palace's main building is more than 700 m long and thus called Hall of Benevolence & Longevity. There are many paintings, but the original murals were destroyed during the Cultural Revolution. The Yuanmingyuan Ruyi Martial Arts School is opposite the Summer Palace. You can study gongfu (kungfu) and qigong there.

Tian'anmen Square

Tian'anmen Square (天安门广场, Tiān'ānmén Guǎngchǎng) is the world's largest square. It is a vast empty space of pavestones in the heart of Beijing. In imperial times there were numerous government buildings on the site, but Mao decided to flatten it all and create the square. The street leading to Tian'anmen Square is Chang'an Jie, another one of Mao's creations. During the Cultural Revolution, massive parades and gatherings took place there, often witnessed by a million people. When Mao died in 1976, another million people squeezed onto the square to pay their respects and in 1989 a pro-democracy demonstration was crushed there by PLA tanks.

Numerous interesting monuments surround the square. They include the Tiān'ānmén (天安门/天安門, Gate of Heavenly Peace) that was built in 1420, the Chinese Revolution History Museum, the Great Hall of the People, Qiánmén (Front Gate), the Monument to the People's Heroes and Mao's Mausoleum, where you can see Mao's body and where Mao memorabilia are sold. The Military Museum is nearby. On the square, kites are rented, so you can give it a try, just as numerous locals do at any time of day.

Tiantan Park

The Imperial Vault of Heaven in the Tiantan Park is one of the finest examples of Ming architecture in China. All of the buildings in the park, including the Round Altar and the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests are carefully thought out paeans to ancient gods and beliefs and built in Ming style. They served as ritual places and fengshui, numerology, cosmology and religion all played a part in their original construction.

The park measures some 267 hectares (660 acres) and it is surrounded by four gates at the cardinal points, while to the north and east it is protected by walls. During the mornings numerous city dwellers come there to perform their rituals.

The Great Wall of China

The wall was originally built in the 1st century, during the Qing dynasty, to protect the country from invasions by neighboring kingdoms. By the 18th century it had lost its function, but arriving Europeans marvelled at this magnificent construction and soon it was to become a tourist attraction. Peasants in rural areas call the Great Wall 'old frontier'. The Great Wall has high and wide ramparts and the parapets and sturdy beacon towers are completely intact at most places.

Most people visit the Great Wall at Badaling, 70 km from Beijing, although it has been spoiled by tourist development. Two slightly better places to go are the Huanghua section, 60 km (35 mi) north of Beijing, where the wall is a little wilder. A less crowded, but still busy place to visit it is at Mutianyu, 90 km from Beijing.

Simatai Great Wall

Simatai is one of the places where you can see the Great Wall in all its historical and architectural marvel. The 19-kilometer long section of the wall is an easy day trip from Beijing and it is very interesting to visit the wall without the tourist hordes closer to the city. Some parts of the wall are very steep at Simatai, some stretches as steep as 70 degrees.

Ancient Observatory

The observatory is mounted on the battlements of a watchtower that used to be part of the city walls, just east of central Zhongshan Park. It dates back to the days of Kublai Khan, when it was situated north of the present site. Khan, as well as the emperors from later Ming and Qing dynasties used to consult the stars at the observatory before making important decisions.

Lama Temple

The Lama Temple is often referred to as the Tibetan Temple. It stands in a picturesque garden and boasts beautiful frescoes, tapestries and woodwork. In the temple are numerous Buddha statues, but the most impressive one is the Maitreya (future) Buddha It is an 18 m (60 ft) high statue made out of one single piece of sandalwood and stands in the Wanfu Pavilion. When you enter the pavilion you will first see the holy shins, but when you look up you'll see the statue towering above the galleries. The spinning prayer wheels at the statue's head are pigeon-powered and the poor animals have whistles attached to them that make a sweet, harmonious sound. The wheels are known as samsara or Wheel of Life. During the mornings the temple is only accessible for devotees.

Underground City

At the end of the 1960s, China's government feared a Soviet invasion and ordered its citizens to built an underground network of passageways and rooms under Beijing. Some 2,000 volunteers and shop assistants living in the Qiánmén (Front Gate) area south of Tian'anmen Square, worked on it for about 10 years.

Nowadays it is home to warehouses, hotels, restaurants and a roller-skating rink. The complex has about 90 entrances, most of which are inside shops along Qiánmén's main streets. Inside is a fluorescent wall map that shows where you are in the tunnel system.

Drum Towers

In ancient Beijing, the time was kept with a water clock and the hours were marked by beating huge drums in the towers. During the Cultural Revolution the towers were nearly destroyed, but they survived and are nowadays protected monuments. Just beneath the Drum Towers are numerous junk shops, where you might find good bargains, as well as a hutong fruit market.

The most popular drum tower is the Gǔlóu (鼓楼), which was originally built for musical reasons and it was later used to announce the time. It is located to the north of Di'anmen Street. The tower is next to the Bell Tower and offers panoramic views over central Beijing.

other places of interest

Ānhuī Huìguǎn (安徽会馆).
Bādàchǔ (八大处, Eight Major Places) consists of a series of monasteries in the Shijingshan District on the outskirts of urban Beijing. Its name refers to the 8 Buddhist temples and nunneries scattered across the Cuiwei, Pingpo and Lushi hills.
Construction of the Bǎilín Sì (柏林寺, Bailin Temple) commenced in 1347. In 1368, it was pillaged and it was not until 1447 when it was repaired. It is a Tibetan Buddhist temple and monastery. Its name translates as Monastery of the Cypress Grove.
Bālǐ Qiáo (八里桥, Eight Li Bridge) is also known as Yǒng Tōng Qiáo (永通桥, Yongtong Bridge). The bridge spans the Tōng Huì Hé (通惠河, Tonghui River), which connects to the Summer Palace. The bridge is exactly 8 li (Chinese Miles) from the Tongzhou District, hence its name.
Bàoguó Sì (报国寺, Baoguo Temple).
The Taoist Běijīng Báiyún Guān (北京白云观, White Cloud Temple) was founded in the 8th century, during the Tang Dynasty.
The Běijīng city fortifications consisted of a series of walls, towers and gates that were erected in the 15th century. In 1965, parts of them were demolished to make room for the construction of the 2nd Ring Road and Line 2 of the Beijing Subway. The parts of the walls that were preserved, can be seen in the southeast of Beijing, not far from Beijing railway station.
The Běijīng Dōngyuè Miào (北京东岳庙, Beijing Dongyue Temple) is a Taoist temple in the Chaoyang District. Construction on the temple sterted in 1319 and it was completed in 1322. The temple is dedicated to the Great Deity of the Eastern Peak.
Běijīng Guóhuì Jiùzhǐ (北京国会旧址, Beijing National Congress Site) was the authoritative legislative body of the Republic of China from 1947 to 2005.
Běijīng Guózǐjiān (北京國子監, Beijing Guozijian) was China's national university during the Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties. It is the country's last remaining Guozijian (Imperial College). it features a beautiful paifang (gateway). The building is located in Guozijian Street.
The Běijīng Gǔ Guānxiàngtái (北京古觀象臺, Beijing Ancient Observatory) is a pretelescopic observatory that was constructed in 1442, making it one of the oldest observatories. It is located just south of Jianguomen in the Dongcheng District.
Běijīng Kě Yuán (北京可园).
Běijīng Kǒngmiào (北京孔庙, Beijing Temple of Confucius) was built in 1302. It is the second-largest temple dedicated to Confucius in China (only the one in Qufu is larger.). It is located in Guozijian Street not far from the Imperial Academy.
Běijīng Lǔxùn Jiùjū (北京鲁迅旧居, Beijing Luxun's Former Residence). The writer's house museum was established in 1956 and it is located in Fucheng Gate Avenue.
Běijīng Shèjì Tán (北京社稷坛, Beijing Shejitan) is a Confucian altar that was built in 1421, during the Ming Dynasty. It was used for soil and grain ceremonies and it is one of Beijing's main imperial temples.
The Běijīng Xiéhé Yīxué Yuàn (北京协和医学院, Peking Union Medical College) is also known as the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences. It was founded in 1906.
The Buddhist Běijīng Zhǎng Chūn Sì (北京长椿寺, Beijing Changchun Temple) dates from 1592. It was heavily damaged by an earthquake in 1679 and it has never been restored to its former glory. After a restoration, it reopened in 2005, as the Xuanwu Cultural Museum. The temple is located in the Xuanwu District.
The Buddhist Chéng ēn sì (承恩寺, Cheng'en Temple) was originally built during the Sui Dynasty. It has been rebuilt several times since then, notably between 1510 and 1513. During the Ming Dynasty, the Daxiong Palace, clock and drum towers, as well as stone-sculpted Buddhas were added.
The Chóng lǐ Zhùzhái (崇礼住宅, Residence of Chongli).
The Chúnqīnwángfǔ (醇亲王府, Prince Chun's Mansion) includes Běifǔ (北府, Northern Mansion) is a siheyuan style building with a beautiful private garden. It is located close to the Shichahai neighborhood in central Beijing.
Císhòu Sì Tǎ (慈寿寺塔, Cishou Temple Pagoda) was originally called Yǒng'ān Wànshòu Tǎ (永安万寿塔, Yong'an Wanshou Tower) was built in 1576. The octagonal-shaped pagoda is about 50 m (164 ft) high. It is located in the Haidian District.
Dà Gāo Xuán Diàn (大高玄殿).
Dàhuì Sì (大慧寺, Temple of Great Wisdom), or Dahui Temple . It was built in 1513 and restored in 1757 and it is known for its Buddhist sculptures. The temple is located in the Dahui Si Road in the western Haidian District.
The Dàjué Sì (大觉寺, Dajue Temple) is a Buddhist temple that was originally built in 1068 during the Liao Dynasty, when it was named Qingshui Temple (Clear Water Temple). It was rebuilt and renamed in 1428. It was renovated in 1720 and in 1747. The temple features 3 main halls, a gate, a pagoda and various side halls. It is located in the Haidian District in the west of Beijing.
Dà Shèng Ruò Sè Táng (大圣若瑟堂, St. Joseph's Church) is colloquially known as Wángfǔ Jǐng tiānzhǔtáng (王府井天主堂, Wangfujing Church), or Dōngtáng (東堂, East Church). The church was originally built in 1655, but it has been rebuilt several times, most recently in 1904. It is a Romanesque church and it is located in 74 Wangfujing Street, in the Dongcheng District.
The Dà Yùnhé (大运河, Grand Canal) consists of a system of canals the connect several large rivers in the north and the east of China. Parts of the canal system run through Beijing.
Dà Zhàlán Shāngyè Jiànzhú (大栅栏商业建筑, Dashilan Commercial Building).
The Buddhist Dàzhōng Sì (大钟寺, Dazhong Temple), or Big Bell Temple was originally known as Juéshēng Sì (觉生寺, Juesheng Temple). It was built in 1733 and it is located in the North 3rd Ring Road in the district of Haidian. In 1985, an ancient bell museum opened in the temple.
Dōng Jiāomín Xiàng (东交民巷, Beijing Legation Quarter) was the area in Beijing (Peking), where a number of foreign legations were located between 1861 and 1959. It is located in the Dongcheng District, immediately to the east of Tian'anmen Square. It features numerous historic buildings.
Déshèngmén (德胜门) is one of the remaining city gates. it was once part of Beijing's northern city wall. The gate complex was originally built in 1437 and included 3 structures:
- The gatehouse
- The archery tower
- The barbican
The gatehouse was demolished in 1921 and the city wall was torn down in 1969. So, nowadays the only extant buildings are the archery tower and the barbican. They overlook the northern city moat and house a small museum, where you can see a collection of ancient coins.
The Dìtán (地坛, Temple of Earth) was built in 1530 during the Ming Dynasty. The temple is located in the northern part of central Beijing, around the Andingmen area and opposite from the Temple of Heaven in Chongwenmen.
The Fahai Temple was constructed from 1439 to 1443 during the Ming Dynasty. It features beautiful frescoes. The Buddhist Temple is located at the foot of Cuiwei Mountain, some 2 km northeast of Moshikou in the Shijingshan District.
The Fǎyuán Sì (法源寺 Fayuan Temple) is a Buddhist temple that was built in 645 during the Tang Dynasty, making it one of the oldest Buddhist temples in Beijing.
The Fú Wángfǔ (孚王府, Residence of Prince Fu).
The Guān Yuèmiào (关岳庙, Guanyue Temple).
Gōng Wángfǔ (恭王府, Prince Gong's Mansion) consists of a large mansion, surrounded by beautiful gardens. It was constructed in 1777 for Heshan, who was an important court official. The building has been converted into a museum and it is located in the Xicheng District, not far north from the Shichahai Lake.
The Guǎnghuà Sì (广化寺, Guanghua Temple) was founded at the end of the 13th century, during the Yuan Dynasty. It is located in the Xicheng District.
The Guǎngjì Sì (广济寺, Guangji Temple) is a Buddhist temple that dates from the Jin Dynasty (1115-1234). During later dynasties the temple was amended and enlarged. If features a wall with 18 Buddhist figures, as well as numerous Ming dynasty religious relics and a library of more than 100,000 volumes. It is located in Fuchengmen Street in the Xicheng District.
The Guójiā Tǐyùchǎng (国家体育场, National Stadium) is also referred to as Niǎocháo (鸟巢, Bird's Nest), as it resembles a collection of huge twigs, just like in a real bird nest. The stadium was completed in June 2008, just in time for the 2008 Summer Olympics. It was also used during the 2022 Winter Olympics. The stadium can seat 91,000 spectators. It is located at the Olympic Green, a park that is home to various sport facilities.
The Guólì Méng Zàng Xuéxiào Jiùzhǐ (国立蒙藏学校旧址, Former Site of the National Mongolian and Tibetan School) is part of the Zhōngyāng Mínzú Dàxué (中央民族大学, Minzu University of China).
Guómín Zhèngfǔ Cáizhèng Bù Yìnshuā Jú Jiùzhǐ (国民政府财政部印刷局旧址, Former Site of the Printing Bureau of the Ministry of Finance of the National Government).
The Guōmòruò Gùjū (郭沫若故居, Former Residence of Guo Moruo). Guo Moruo was a Chinese author, poet, historian, archaeologist and government official. His former residence is now a museum dedicated to his life.
Hánbālǐ (汗八里, Khanbaliq), or Yuán Dàdū (元大都, Dadu of Yuan) was the winter capital of the Yuan Dynasty. Khanbaliq is the direct predecessor to modern Beijing. It wasa walled city, located in the modern-day Xicheng District. Ruins of the Yuan-era walls can still be seen there and are known as the Tǔ Chéng (土城, Earth Wall). Tucheng Park preserves part of the old northern walls, along with some contemporary statues.
The Hàotiān Tǎ (昊天塔, Haotian Pagoda) is also known as the Liángxiāng Tǎ (良乡塔, Liangxiang Pagoda) is an octagonal brick pagoda with 5 tiers. It was originally constructed at the end of the 6th century, but it has been rebuilt several times during its existance. The pagoda is located in the Fangshan District.
The Hóng Luó Sì (红螺寺, Hongluo Temple) was originally founded during the Tang Dynasty (618-907), but it has been rebuilt many times over since then. The temple sits at the foot of the Hongluo Mountain in the north of Beijing.
Huáng shǐ chéng (皇史宬, Imperial Archives).
The Húguǎng Huìguǎn; (湖广会馆, Huguang Assembly Hall), or Huguang Guild Hall, was built in 1807 and it isone of Beijing's most renowned theaters.
Jìng Míng Yuán (静明园, Jingming Garden) was laid out during the Jurchen Jin Dynasty (1115-1234). It was an imperial garden on the Jade Spring Hill, west of the Summer Palace. It features the Yanhua Temple was built during the Ming Dynasty.
Jīngshī Dàxué Táng Fēnkē Dàxué Jiùzhǐ (京师大学堂分科大学旧址, The former site of the Imperial University of Beijing).
Jīngshī Nǚzǐ Shīfàn Xuétáng Jiùzhǐ (京师女子师范学堂旧址, Former Site of Beijing Women's Normal School).
The Jǐngtài Líng (景泰陵, Jingtai Mausoleum).
The Jiùshìzhǔ Táng (救世主堂, Church of Our Saviour) is also known as Xī Shén Kù Tiānzhǔtáng (西什库天主堂, Xishiku Catholic Church), or Běi Táng (北堂, North Church). It is a Catholic church that was originally completed in 1703 by French Jesuits. In 1864, it was rebuilt as a Gothic church, but in 1884 it was dismantled and rebuilt at its current location.
Lìdài Dìwáng Miào (历代帝王庙, Lidai Diwang Temple).
Lì Mǎ Dòu Hé Wàiguó Chuánjiào Shì Mùdì (利玛窦和外国传教士墓地, Tombs of Matteo Ricci and Other Foreign Missionaries). Matteo Ricci was an Italian Jesuit priest and one of the founding figures of the Jesuit China missions. He was the creator of the Kunyu Wanguo Quantu, a 1602 map of the world written in Chinese characters.
Liúlíchǎng (琉璃厂) is a street in the Xicheng District, where you can see a number of traditional Chinese stone dwellings. The inhabitants sell craftwork, artistry and antiques.
The remains of the ancient city of Liulihe can be seen at the Liúlí Hé Yízhǐ (琉璃河遗址, Liulihe Site), which includes palaces, temples and tombs. The museum at the site exhibits artefacts that were found there.
The Lúgōu Qiáo (卢沟桥, Lugou Bridge) is also known as Marco Polo Bridge. It is a stone bridge that was originally built in 1192 and reconstructed in 1698. The bridge has 11 spans and at its eastern end is the 17th-century Wanping Fortress, which houses the Museum of the War of Chinese People's Resistance Against Japanese Aggression. The bridge is 15 km southwest from central Beijing.
Miàoyìng Sì (妙应寺, Miaoying Temple) is also known as the White Stupa Temple. It is a Chinese Buddhist temple that was built in 1279. it is located on the north side of Fuchengmennei Street in the Xicheng District.
The Niú Jiē Lǐ Bài Sì (牛街礼拜寺, مسجد نيوجيه, Niujie Mosque) was originally built in 996, making it the oldest mosque in Beijing. The mosque is in the Xicheng District, where most of beijing's Muslims live.
Qiánmén (前门) is a gate in Beijing's city wall. It is also known as Zhèngyángmén; (正阳门). The gate was originally built in 1419 and was formerly known as Lìzhèngmén (丽正门), which means 'beautiful portal'. It slowly fell into disrepair and by 1914, extensive reconstruction had become necessary. Qiánmén is located to the south of Tian'anmen Square.
Qīnghuá dàxué (清华大学, Tsinghua University) is in the northwest of Beijing, on the site of the former imperial gardens of the Qing dynasty. It features several beautiful historic buildings.
Qīng Jìnghuà Chéng tǎ (清净化城塔, Qingjing Huacheng Pagoda).
Qīng Lùjūn Bù Hé Hǎijūn Bù Jiùzhǐ (清陆军部和海军部旧址, Former Site of the Ministry of Army and the Ministry of Navy of the Qing Dynasty).
Qīng Nóngshì Shìyàn Chǎng Jiùzhǐ (清农事试验场旧址, Former Site of Qing Dynasty Agricultural Experiment Station), or Beijing Zoo. The zoo was founded in 1906, making it the oldest zoo in China. The zoo is home to more than 450 species of land animals and more than 500 species of marine animals in its aquarium. It is also a zoological research that studies and breeds rare animals. It is located in the Xicheng District.
Quanzong Temple.
Rénmín Yīngxióng Jìniànbēi (人民英雄纪念碑, Monument to the People's Heroes) is an obelisk that was erected to commemorate the martyrs of revolutionary struggle during the 19th and 20th centuries. It is located in the southern part of Tian'anmen Square. The 10-storey tall monument was completed in 1958.
The Rì Tán (日坛, Temple of the Sun) was built in 1530, during the Ming Dynasty. It was used for religious acts involving fasting, prayers, dancing and animal sacrifices. The temple is located in Rì Tán public park.
Shèngmǔ Shèng yī Táng (圣母圣衣堂, Our Lady of the Mount Carmel Church) is more commonly known as Xīzhímén Tiānzhǔtáng (西直门天主堂, Xizhimen Catholic Church), or Xītáng (西堂, West Church). It was originally built in 1723, destroyed in 1811, rebuilt in 1867, destroyed again in 1900 and finally rebuilt to its current version in 1912. The church is located in 130 Xizhimen Neidajie.
The baroque Shèngmǔ Wú rǎn Yuánzuì Táng (圣母无染原罪堂, Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception) is colloquially known as the Xuānwǔmén Tiānzhǔtáng (宣武门天主堂, Xuanwumen Church), or Nántáng (南堂, South Church). The current building dates from 1904 and it was built on the site of a previous church.
Sòng Qìnglíng Gùjū (宋庆龄故居) is the former residence of Soong Ching Ling. It has been converted into a museum dedicated to her memory. The museum opened in 1982.
The Sūnzhōngshān Xíng Guǎn (孙中山行馆, Sun Yat-sen Residence) is the former residence of Chinese physician, revolutionary, statesman and political philosopher Sun Yat-sen, who founded the Republic of China (ROC). The building has been converted into a museum.
The Tàimiào (太庙, Imperial Ancestral Temple) is a historic site in the Imperial City, just outside the Forbidden City. It consits of a series of buildings that were used for sacrificial ceremonies during the Ming and Qing dynasties. The first building was built there in 1420.
The Buddhist Tán Zhè Sì (潭柘寺, Tanzhe Temple) was built in 307. It is located in Tanzhesi Town, in the Mentougou District.
The Tiānníng Sì (天宁寺, Tianning Temple) is a Buddhist temple complex located in Xicheng District. The complext includes the 8-sided Pagoda of Tianning Temple, which was built over a period from 1100 to 1120, during the Liao Dynasty. The pagoda is 57.8 m (189 ft) tall.
The Tiāntán (天坛, Temple of Heaven) consists of a collection of imperial religious buildings. They were constructed over a period from 1406 to 1420. The complex is located in Tiantan Park in the southeastern part of central Beijing and it was inscribed into the UNESCO list of world heritage sites in 1998.
The Tuánchéng Yǎnwǔtīng (团城演武厅, Tuancheng Fortress) was constructed in 1749. The fortress is the venue for frequent large-scale martial arts events. It is located near the Fragrant Hills in the Haidian District.
Wàn Fó Táng, Kǒng Shuǐ Dòng Shíkè Jí Tǎ (万佛堂、孔水洞石刻及塔, Ten Thousand Buddha Hall, Stone Carvings and Pagoda at Kong Shui Cave).
The Buddhist Wànshòu Sì (万寿寺, Wanshou Temple) was built in 1577 during the Ming Dynasty as a library where Chinese Buddhist scriptures were stored. The temple houses the Běijīng Yìshù Bówùguǎn (北京艺术博物馆, Beijing Art Museum). The museum exhibits a collection of some 70,000 precious historical relics, including bronze and jade articles of Shang and Zhou dynasties and ancient art treasures such as porcelains, earthenwares, enamels, carved lacquer ware, ivory carving, wood carving and many relics from past dynasties. The temple is located at 121, Wanshousi Road in the Haidian District.
Wèi Míng Hú Yàn Yuán Jiànzhú (未名湖燕园建筑, Architecture in the Garden of Yan at Weiming Lake).
The Wòfó Sì (卧佛寺, Wofo Temple) is a Buddhist temple that was constructed in the 7th century. It was rebuilt in 1734 and it features a recumbent Buddha sculpture from 1321. The temple is close to the Beijing Botanical Garden, 20 km (12 mi) from the center of town.
The Wǔ Tǎ Sì (五塔寺, Five Pagoda Temple), or Dà Zhēnjué Sì (大真觉寺, Dazhenjue Temple), is a Ming Dynasty Buddhist temple located in the Haidian District. It was built in 1473.
The Xiān Cán Tán (先蚕坛, Altar to the Goddess of Silkworms) is an imperial altar that was built in 1742. There are Mulberry trees around the altar, which provides regular diet for silkworms. The temple can be reached by a bridge from the Temple of the Dragon King (Longwangmiao). It is located in the eastern part of the Beihai Park in central Bejing.
The Xiānnóng Tán (先农坛, Temple of Agriculture) is a historic site in the Xuanwu District. The temple dates from the 15th century.
Xīnhài Luán Zhōu Qǐyì Jìniàn Yuán (辛亥滦州起义纪念园, Xinhai Luanzhou Uprising Memorial Park) is a memorial to the Luanzhou Uprising, which was a series of battles, fought between the nationalists and the communists for control of Luanzhou during the Chinese Civil War in 1949.
The Yà Sī Lì Táng (亚斯立堂, Astrid Hall), or Beijing Chongwenmen Christian Church.
Yín Shān Tǎlín (银山塔林, Yinshan Forest of Pagodas).
The Yōnghé Gōng (雍和宮, Yonghe Temple) is also known as the Yonghe Lamasery, or the Lama Temple. It is a Tibetan Buddha temple and it is located in 12 Yonghegong Street.
The Yuánchónghuàn Mù Hé Cí (袁崇焕墓和祠, Grave and Ancestral Temple of Yuan Chonghuan), who was a Chinese politician, military general and writer during the Ming dynasty.
The Yuánmíng Yuán (圆明园, Old Summer Palace) is also known as Yù Yuán (御园, Imperial Gardens), or Winter Palace. It used to be a complex of palaces and gardens, constructed during the 18th and 19th centuries. It was destructed by British and French soldiers in 1860. Nowadays, only ruins can be seen there. It is located in the Haidian District.
The Yuètán (月壇, Temple of the Moon) was an altar that was built in 1530, during the Ming Dynasty. It was used for ritual sacrifices to the Moon. The altar is no longer intact. The temple and its surrounding park are located in the Xicheng District in the west of Beijing.
The Zhèngyǐcí Xìlóu (正乙祠戏楼, Zhengyici Peking Opera Theatre) was built in 1688 on the ruins of a Buddhist temple. It is one of the oldest wooden theatres in China. It was restored in 1995. The theatre is located in the Xuanwu District.
The Zhìhuà Sì (智化寺, Zhihua Temple) dates from 1443. The Beijing Cultural Exchange Museum is housed within the temple compound. The museum was established in 1992.
The Zhōngguó Guójiā Túshū Guǎn (中国国家图书馆, National Library of China) holds the largest collection of Chinese literature and historical documents in the world. Its collection contains over 41 million volumes. It is located in the district of Haidian.
The Zhōnghuá Shìjì Tán (中华世纪坛, China Millennium Monument) was completed in 1999. It was the venue for the Millennium celebrations. It has been home to the Beijing World Art Museum since 2006.
The Zhōnglóu (钟楼, Bell Tower) is closely behind the drum tower. The tower offers panoramic views over central Beijing.
Zhōngnánhǎi (中南海) used to be an imperial garden that was part of the Forbidden Palace. Nowadays is houses the offices and residence of the leadership of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and the State Council. It includes Xinhuamen (the Gate of New China), which is the formal entrance to the compound.
Zhōngshān Gōngyuán (中山公园, Zhongshan Park) used to be an imperial altar. Nowadays it's a public park in the Imperial City. it is just southwest of the Forbidden City.
The Zhōukǒudiàn Dìqū (周口店地区, Zhoukoudian Area) is an area in the east of the Fangshan District. It is the site of the Peking Man
The Zhōukǒudiàn běijīng rén yízhǐ (周口店北京人遗址, Zhoukoudian Peking Man Site) is a cave system in the suburban Fangshan District. It has yielded many archaeological discoveries, the most important one being one of the oldest specimens of Homo erectus, an extinct species of human.

There are numerous modern buildings and skyscrapers in Beijing, many of which feature stunning architecture.

Around Beijing

The Bìyún Sì (碧云寺, Temple of Azure Clouds) is a Buddhist temple in the Haidian District. It was built in the 14th century, some 20 km from Beijing's city center.
Cuàn Dǐxia cūn (爨底下村) is a historic Ming era village in Beijing's Mentougou District. There are still some 500 houses that maintain the style of the Ming and Qing Dynasties. Residents perform stone carving, brick carving, calligraphy and painting for tourists. The village sits in the Jingxi mountain region, 90 km northwest from Beijing.
The Jūyōngguān Yúntái (居庸关云台, Cloud Platform) was constructed between 1342 and 1345. The building looks like a gateway, but it was originally the base, where 3 white dagobas, or stupas, used to stand. The stupas are long gone, but the base with its underpass remains. It is located in the Guangou Valley at the Juyongguan Pass of the Great Wall of China, in the Changping District. It is some 60 km (37 mi) northwest of central Beijing.
The Buddhist Jiè Tāi Sì (戒台寺, Jietai Temple) was first built in 622, during the Tang Dynasty. It was originally called the Huiju Temple. It is in the Mentougou District, some 25 km from downtown Beijing.
The Míng Shísān Líng (明十三陵, Ming Thirteen Mausoleums) was the location where Ming era emperors were buried. The site is located within the suburban Changping District, some 42 km (26 mi) northwest of Beijing's city center.
Sīmǎtái (司马台) is a section of the Great Wall of China located in the north of the Miyun District. It is located about 120 km northeast of the city center. Through Sīmǎtái, the strategic pass of Gubeikou can be reached.
The Buddhist Shízì Sì (十字寺, Cross Temple) is a former place of worship in the Fangshan District. Construction of the temple commenced in 317, but it is not known when construction was completed. It was rebuilt in 639, 960, 1365 and 1535, but nowadays it is in ruins. There are 2 ancient steles on the site. The Cross Temple is 38 km (24 mi) southwest of Beijing's city center.
The city of Tianjin, 105 km southeast of Beijing, serves as the capital's seaport.
The Yún Jū Sì (云居寺, Yunju Temple) is a Buddhist temple. It features the world's largest collection of stone Buddhist sutra steles. The temple is located in the district of Fangshan, some 70 km (43 mi) southwest of Beijing.

Museums

The Běijīng dà Bǎo Tái Xīhàn Mù Bówùguǎn (北京大葆台西汉墓博物馆, Beijing Dabaotai Western Han Dynasty Mausoleum) is a museum that was constructed over the Western Han Dynasty tombs of prince Liu Jian and his wife at Dabaotai. The tombs are more than 2,000 years old. The museum was founded in 1983 and is located 15 km (9.3 mi) southwest of Beijing's city center.
Běijīng Dù Shā Fūrén Làxiàng Guǎn (北京杜莎夫人蜡像馆, Madame Tussauds Beijing) is the Beijing branch of Madame Tussauds wax museum. It is located in 18, Pedestrian Street, Qianmen Avenue and it opened in 2014.
The Běijīng Liáo jīn Chéngyuán Bówùguǎn (北京辽金城垣博物馆, Beijing Liaojin City Wall Museum) is a museum that was constructed over the ruins of Beijing's Medieval city wall. The museum's display is mainly underground and features the wood and stone remnants of a water gate, parts of the ancient city walls and Liao and Jin era artifacts that were found in and around Beijing. The museum is located at 41 Yulinli, Yulin South Road, in the Fengtai District.
The Běijīng Shì Guīhuà Zhǎnlǎn Guǎn (北京市规划展览馆, Beijing Planning Exhibition Hall) is a museum on urban planning. It is housed in an old railway station that dates from 1903 and located at at 20 Qianmen E St., adjacent to Tian'anmen Square.
Běijīng Tiělù Bówùguǎn (北京铁路博物馆, Beijing Railway Museum) is a branch of the China Railway Museum, located just southeast of the Tian'anmen Square. The building was constructed around the original clock-tower of the former Zhengyangmen East Railway Station.
The Běijīng World Art Museum is housed in the China Millennium Monument.
Běijīng Yìshù Bówùguǎn (北京艺术博物馆, Beijing Art Museum) is housed in the Wànshòu Sì (万寿寺, Wanshou Temple). The museum has a collection of more than 70,000 items such as porcelains, earthenwares, enamels, carved lacquer ware, ivory carvings, wood carvings, as well as bronze and jade articles of Shang and Zhou dynasties.
The Běijīng Yuán Yìshù Zhōngxīn (北京元艺术中心, Beijing Yuan Art Center) has 4 exhibition halls, where experimental thaeter and modern art are displayed. It is located in the Haidian District.
Běijīng Zhǎnlǎnguǎn (北京展览馆, Beijing Exhibition Center) was built in 1954 in the Sino-Soviet architectural style. It is the venue for a wide range of exhibitions, operas, ballets, musicals and rock concerts. The building contains 3 exhibition halls and several museums.
The Gùgōng Bówùyùan (故宫博物院, Palace Museum) is located in the Forbidden City. The museum consists of 980 buildings that date from between 1406 to 1420. It opened to the public in 1925 and it has become the world's most visited museum.
The Guójiā Zìrán Bówùguǎn (国家自然博物馆, National Museum of Nature) is a national history museum. It was established in 1951. The museum has a large collection of ancient fossils, including numerous dinosaurs.
The Shǒudū Bówùguǎn (首都博物馆, Capital Museum) has a collection of more than 200,000 ancient porcelain, bronze, calligraphy, painting, jade and sculptures, as well as Buddhist statues. The art museum is located in the Xicheng District.
The Xīzhōu Yàn Dōu Yízhǐ Bówùguǎn (西周燕都遗址博物馆, Western Zhou Yandu Ruins Museum) is an archaeological museum located at the Liulihe Site.
The Zhōngguó Dì Zhì Bówùguǎn (中国地质博物馆, Geological Museum of China) has a collectrion of more than 100,000 geological items, including dinosaur bones, early human-made tools and examples of minerals. The museum is located in the Xisi area and opened in 1959.
Zhōngguó Gǔ Dòngwù Guǎn (中国古动物馆, China Paleontological Museum) is housed in the same building as the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. The part that is open to the public contains several halls, where you can see ancient specimens. The museum was founded in 1929 and it has been renovated in 2014. It is located in 142 Xi-Zhi-Men-Wai Street.
The Zhōngguó Guójiā Bówùguǎn (中国国家博物馆, National Museum of China) holds a collection of more than 1.4 million items, spread over 48 exhibition halls. It is the world's largest single-building museum. The museum was established in 1912, but its current building was completed in 1959. It was renovated in 2011. The museum's exhibition covers Chinese history from the 1.7 million years old Yuanmou Man to the end of the Qing dynasty. The museum is located in Tian'anmen Square.
The Zhōngguó Hángkōng Bówùguǎn (中国航空博物馆, China Aviation Museum) was founded in 1989 and its collection includes more than 200 aircraft. Parts of the museum are situated inside the underground bunker system of Shahezhen Airbase, inside a cave in the side of Datangshan Mountain.
The Zhōngguó Měishù Guǎn (中国美术馆, National Art Museum of China) is one of the largest art museums in China. The collection includes both ancient and contemporary art. The museum opened in 1963.
The Zhōngguó Rénmín Gémìng Jūnshì Bówùguǎn (中国人民革命军事博物馆, Military Museum of the Chinese People's Revolution) is China's national military museum. Its exhibitions include military equipment and cultural relics that reflect the military history of the People's Liberation Army (PLA). It is located in the district of Haidian.
The Zhōngguó Tiědào Bówùguǎn (中国铁道博物馆, China Railway Museum) has a collection of rolling stock of the Chinese railways. It is located in the Chaoyang District, some 15 km (9 mi) northeast of downtown Beijing.

Parks

Àolínpǐkè sēnlín gōngyuán; (奥林匹克森林公园, Olympic Forest Park), or Olympic Green, is a park in the Chaoyang District that is home to various sports facilities that were used during the 2008 Summer Olympics. The three main facilities are the National Stadium (Bird's Nest), the Water Cube and the National Indoor Stadium.
Běihǎi Gōngyuán (北海公园, Beihai Park) s a public park and former imperial garden that was first laid out in the 12th century. It was once part of the Forbidden City, so it is immediately northwest of it. The park was opened to the public since 1925. You will have to pay a small fee to enter it, but it is well worth it. There is a large lake within the park, where you can rent rowboats.
Běijīng Míng Chéngqiáng Yízhǐ Gōngyuán (北京明城墙遗址公园, Beijing Ming City Wall Ruins Park) is the location where you can see Beijing's longest and best preserved section of the Ming Dynasty city wall. The park is located at the southeast corner of Beijing's inner walled city in the Dongcheng District, some 3 km (1.9 mi) southeast of Tian'anmen Square.
Běijīng Shìjiè Gōngyuán (北京世界公园, Beijing World Park) is a theme park, where you can see small versions of famous statues from all over the world. It is located in the Fengtai District, 17 km from downtown. The park opened in 1993.
Construction of Cháoyáng Gōngyuán (朝阳公园, Chaoyang Park) started in 1984 and it has become the largest park in Beijing. It is located in the Chaoyang District.
Dàguānyuán (大观园, Grand View Garden) is a fictional garden from a novel, located within the compounds of the Rongguo Mansion. In 1984, a full-size replicated landscape garden based on the novel was built at the Xuanwu District.
Dìtán (地坛, Ditan Park) is the location of the Temple of Earth.
The Guójiā Zhíwùyuán (国家植物园, National Arboretum), or China National Botanical Garden, cultivates 6,000 plant species. It was established in 1956 and it is located in the Haidian District.
Hǎidiàn Gōngyuán (海淀公园, Haidian Park) is a city park in the Haidian District. It features several gardens containing rare plant species. The Quanzong Temple is also located in the park.
Hónglǐngjīn Gōngyuán (红领巾公园, Honglingjin Park) was laid out in 1958. It sits at the junction of East 4th Ring Road and Chaoyang North Road.
Jǐngshān (景山, Jingshan Park) used to be a private imperial garden that belonged to the Forbidden City. In 1928, it was opened to the public.
Lóngtánhú Gōngyuán (龙潭湖公园, Longtan Lake Park) is a recreational urban park located in the Dongcheng District just east of the Temple of Heaven. The park features a lively bird market. The park is centered on a lake that features moon bridges, rock gardens, dragon boats, tea houses and restaurants.
Mílù Yuán (麋鹿苑, Milu Park) is home to a wild herd of Père David's deer, or milu. At the end of the 19th century, these deer had become extinct in the wild in China. Animals were reintroduced in Milu Park from the United Kingdom in the 1980s. The park is in the south of Beijing.
Qīngnián Hú (青年湖, Qingnianhu Park) was laid out in the in the Dongcheng District in 1960. The park features an artificial lake.
Rì Tán Park is the location of the Temple of the Sun.
Shíchàhǎi (什刹海) is a historic scenic area. There are 3 lakes in the park:
- Hòuhǎi (后海).
- Qián Hǎi (前海).
- Xīhǎi (西海), or West Sea.
The park is northwest from the Forbidden City.
Táorántíng Gōngyuán (陶然亭公园, Taoranting Park) was laid out in 1952. It is located in the Xicheng District.
Wǔzuòlóu Sēnlín Gōngyuán (五座楼森林公园, Wuzuolou Forest Park) is a forested park in the north of Beijing.
Xiāngshān Gōngyuán (香山公园, Xiangshan Park) is also known as Fragrant Hills Park. It used to be an imperial garden and nowadays a public park. It is located at the base of the Western Hills in the Haidian District.
Yùyuāntán Gōngyuán (玉渊潭公园, Yuyuantan Park), or Jade Deep Lake Park, includes an artificial lake that was dug in 1773. The park is a good place to see cherry blossoms in spring. The China Millennium Monument is located just to the south of the park.
Zhōngshān Gōngyuán (中山公园, Zhongshan Park) used to be an imperial altar. In 1914, it was opened to the public. The park is in the Imperial City, immediately southwest of the Forbidden City.
Zǐzhúyuàn Gōngyuán (紫竹院公园, Zizhuyuan Park), or Purple Bamboo Park, is located in the Haidian District. It features 3 artificial lakes and some hills that were constructed with the material dredged from the lakes.

When to go

During the winter there are no tourists, but it is freezing cold outside. Only during the Chinese New Year Beijing is absolutely packed. The Chinese New Year, or Spring Festival as it is sometimes called is usually celebrated in January or February, depending on the year. The festivities start on the first day of the first moon according to the traditional lunar calendar (For example in 2001 Chinese New Year was on 24 January, but in 2002 it is on 12 February). Officially the festivities last only three days, but most people keep celebrating for a week.

During the Lantern Festival people walk through the city with colored paper lanterns at night. It is on the 15th day of the first moon. In the winter months there are many ice-skating venues in Beijing. Waters such as Beihai Lake, Kunming Lake, Zizhuyan Park and the moat around the Forbidden City are frozen in winter and serve as rinks.

In Spring the weather is usually not very good and dust storms often plague the city. There are some events in that time of year though. On Tomb Sweep Day people clean the gravestones of their ancestors and commemorate them. 'Ghost money' is burned for the departed to use in the afterworld. Tomb Sweep Day is on 5 April (4 April in leap years). On the first of May (International Labor Day) the entire city is decorated with flowers and especially around Tian'anmen Square it's absolutely stunning. The Mid-Autumn Festival on the 15th day of the 8th moon is also known as the Moon Festival.

During the summer season from June to August, the capital gets very crowded and accommodation is more difficult to find and more expensive. If you are not interested in any of the festivities, the best time to visit Beijing is between September and November, when the weather is still alright and there are only few tourists.

Transportation

There are several ways to get around Beijing, but the best one is by bike. Most locals use bikes as a means of transportation, so why not join them? The only way to explore the maze of narrow, spidery hutongs is by bike. A special bike tour set out in the city, takes you past most of the city's tourist sites. Biking is faster than walking and helps you feel a lot more like a local. Bikes can be rented at most hotels, but there are also special bike-hire outfits near tourist attractions.

Beijing's Underground Dragon, or the subway is a fast and convenient way to bridge great distances. Beijing's subway is the second longest in the world. It is the best way to move from one district to another. You can also catch a bus, but they are usually very crowded and slow. Beijing has about 150 bus and trolleybus lines, which doesn't make it any easier.

Taxis are fast and convenient, but most taxi drivers don't speak any English, so have your destination written in Chinese characters for you, before you set out.

Beijing Daxing International Airport is about 26 km (16 mi) north of town and has connections with most of the world's major cities, as well as numerous places in China. The city's main railway station is Beijing Railway Station, east of central Zhongshan Park, but there is a newer one in the west. Beijing has rail connections with most large cities in China. Buses ply the same routes and are usually cheaper.

Places to stay and eat

Beijing is not a cheap city and accommodation can be hard to find during the tourist season between June and August. During that time prices are often higher than the rest of the year. There are numerous back-alley cafes, where fairly cheap food is served. Other good places to try local dishes are parklands and night markets.

Beijing is in the northeast of China and the municipality includes 10 urban districts and eight counties. It covers 16,800 km² (6,552 sq mi) and the city's limits extend for about 80 km (50 mi).

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