China, with its ancient culture and rapid development, is truly an interesting country. Its capital, Beijing, offers a lot for visitors in terms of attractions.
The second largest city in China after Shanghai. It is one of the country’s main transport hubs. One of China’s four ancient capitals, it is mainly a political, educational and cultural centre.
Table of Contents
Beijing attractions
Forbidden City
The Forbidden City served as the residence of Chinese emperors and the ceremonial and political center of the Chinese empire from the Ming dynasty to the end of the Qing dynasty, nearly five hundred years.
Built between 1406 and 1420, the complex consists of 980 buildings with 8,707 rooms. It’s a masterpiece of traditional Chinese palace architecture and has influenced cultural and architectural developments in East Asia and elsewhere for centuries.
Since 1987, it has been a UNESCO World Heritage site, recognized by UNESCO as the world’s largest ancient wooden structure.
Since 1925, the Forbidden City has been part of the Palace Museum. The museum’s vast collection is based on the imperial collections of the Ming and Qing dynasties, though a portion of the collection can now be found in the National Palace Museum in Taipei following the Chinese Civil War.
The Forbidden City is surrounded by a 7.9-meter high purple wall and a 6-meter deep, 52-meter wide moat.
Traditionally, the Forbidden City is divided into two parts. The outer court or front court includes the southern sections and was used for ceremonial purposes. The inner court or back palace extends to the north, where the emperor and his family lived and conducted their daily affairs.
More information here.
Tiananmen Square
Also known as the Square of Heavenly Peace, it is one of the world’s largest squares, measuring approximately 500 x 880 meters and capable of accommodating up to one million people.
The square has symbolic significance in Chinese culture as it has been the site of numerous events in Chinese history.
It is most famous globally for the brutally suppressed student demonstrations in 1989. The name Tiananmen Square has become synonymous with the concept of protesting against political dictatorships.
Several significant buildings surround the square: the Monument to the People’s Heroes, the Great Hall of the People, and the National Museum.
Mausoleum of Mao Zedong
Located in the center of Tiananmen Square, this is where Mao Zedong proclaimed the People’s Republic of China in 1949. He was the country’s supreme leader from 1949 until his death in 1976.
In the forecourt is a 3.5-meter marble statue of Mao, while the inner chamber houses his embalmed body, covered with the flag of the Communist Party of China in a crystal casket.
Beihai Park
Located northwest of the Forbidden City, this public park was once an imperial garden and is the largest of all Chinese gardens. It houses several historically important buildings, palaces, and temples.
Like many other Chinese imperial gardens, the park replicates famous landscapes and architecture from different regions of China.
The park features a central island called Jade Flower Island, home to a temple with a 160 cm tall jade Buddha.
The park’s most famous attraction is the Nine Dragon Wall, both sides of which are elaborately adorned with colorful dragons.
Summer Palace
The palace is located on the 60-meter high Longevity Hill, alongside Kunming Lake. It has been part of UNESCO World Heritage since 1998.
The palace and gardens were commissioned in 1750 by the Qianlong Emperor for his mother, the Empress Dowager, on her 60th birthday. The site features nearly 3000 sculptures and other works, including pavilions, bridges, and towers.
The palace’s exhibition halls display ancient imperial artifacts and rare gifts from foreign states. Among the most special is a vintage Benz car gifted to Empress Dowager Cixi, which was the first imported car in China.
The layout of the dyke in the middle of Kunming Lake symbolizes the Silk Road. It is connected by six stone bridges, each built in a different style.
Access: By subway line 4 to Beigongmen station.
All information here!
Temple of Heaven
Known for its distinctive circular shape, also referred to as the Temple of Heaven, it is Beijing’s holiest imperial temple.
Built in 1420 by Emperor Zhu Di of the Ming dynasty, he visited annually on the winter solstice to pray and pay homage to Heaven for a good harvest.
The design was significantly influenced by the cosmology of the time, with the layout and buildings symbolizing the connection between Heaven and Earth through circles and squares.
The temple is located in Heaven Park, where it’s worth spending hours strolling.
Access: By subway line 5 to Tiantandongmen station.
Lama Temple
One of the world’s largest and most significant Tibetan Buddhist monasteries, also known as Yonghe Temple.
Originally the residence for Qing dynasty court eunuchs, it later served as the residence of Prince Yong Zheng until his ascension to the throne in 1722. Since 1744, the entire complex has been used as a monastery and temple, remaining a major center for Tibetan Buddhism outside Tibet.
Access: By subway lines 2 and 5 to Yonghegong Lama Temple station.
Beijing Aquarium
Located within the zoo, it is China’s largest indoor aquarium system.
It has six major sections: Rainforest Wonder, Shark Hall, Whale and Dolphin Bay, Seabed Travel, Feel Pool, and Ocean Theater.
Access: By subway line 4 to Beijing Zoo station.
National Museum of China
Situated on the southern side of Tiananmen Square, it’s the world’s largest museum. It is a distinctive Chinese building with pagoda roofs and yellow glazed roof tiles.
The collections and exhibitions showcase Chinese history and culture with an extensive artifact collection.
All information here!
Capital Museum
The museum is one of the most important art museums, with the building itself being massive and ultramodern.
The Capital Museum’s collection includes more than 200,000 cultural relics, primarily artifacts uncovered in Beijing.
All information here!
Hutongs
Hutongs are the traditional residential districts of old Beijing, characterized by narrow lanes and alleyways dating back to the Yuan dynasty in the 13th century.
It’s delightful to immerse oneself in the labyrinth-like streets, stepping into various shops. The city regards them as important historical sites, preserving the past.
There are over a thousand hutongs in Beijing, including Liulichang Cultural Street (antiques), Qianshi (the narrowest hutong, just 70 cm wide), and Mao’er Hutong (famous for its eateries).
Wangfujing Street
Beijing’s most popular shopping street, featuring two large plazas (Xindongan Plaza, Oriental Plaza). The offerings are diverse, with both traditional Chinese stores and international brands in the shopping district.
An adjoining side street hides a bizarre market where you can try exotic foods like sea stars, pufferfish, cockroaches, and even scorpions.
Great Wall of China
While not directly one of Beijing’s attractions, its proximity makes it unmissable. It’s been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1987.
An ancient series of fortification systems built along the northern borders of China to protect against invasions from various nomadic groups, including the Huns.
The visible wall sections were built during the Ming dynasty, between 1368 and 1644. New sections are still being discovered, making it hard to determine its exact length.
The most popular section is Badaling, one of the best-preserved parts. This section of the wall is 12 km long (3.7 km accessible to tourists), with 19 of the original 47 watchtowers open to visitors.
