Top Things to Do in Beijing

Home , Temple of Heaven, Tiananmen, Tiananmen Square, Yonghe Temple

"Top Things To Do in Beijing" The ancient heart of the People's Republic of China, Beijing literally means 'the northern capital.' Along with commerce and culture, this modern

city's tapestry is woven with landmarks like the Temple of Heaven and the historical Forbidden City.

Created by: Cityseeker

10 Locations Bookmarked

Tiananmen Square "Grandiose, Historic Square"

Tiananmen Square is one of the largest public squares in the world. The square is surrounded by a cluster of massive buildings including Tiananmen Gate, The Forbidden City, the Great Hall of the People, The Monument of the People's Heroes and the Mao Ze Dong Mausoleum. The original square was built in 1651, though it has undergone extensive by wu yi on Unsplash expansion since then. The square has figured in many historical events such as when Mao Zedong announced the founding of the People's Republic there in 1949. Today, visitors can walk through the square and learn more about its history.

+86 29 8523 6688 (Tourist Information) West Chang An Avenue, Beijing

Forbidden City "China's Greatest Imperial Palace Complex"

One of China's best preserved historical monuments and the world's largest ancient palace, the Forbidden City is Beijing's crowning glory. Isolated from the rest of the city by the Tongzi River, the crimson walls and embellished roofs of the palatial complex rise against the backdrop of modern-day Beijing like a vision from the country's regal past. by __ drz __ on Unsplash Construction of the sprawling complex was completed in 1420, serving as the imperial palace of the Ming and Qing dynasties for over five centuries. This UNESCO World Heritage Site encompasses a staggering 980 individual structures, with rooms that contain priceless artifacts and relics that span the ages, demonstrating the impeccable skill of the local artists and the opulent tastes of the royal family. The complex itself is the epitome of Chinese architecture and landscape design, a world unto itself of bewitching beauty. The complex is divided into two parts, the Inner Court where the King lived alongside the royal household, and the Outer Court where he performed his administrative duties. Now home to the Palace Museum, the Forbidden City's riches and treasures are open for all to see and experience the depth of the country's cultural heritage.

+86 10 8500 7421 www.dpm.org.cn/Home.ht [email protected] 4 Jingshan Front Street, ml Beijing, Beijing

National Museum of China

"A Look Into Chinese History"

The National Museum of China is the result of a merger of two smaller entities. Bringing together the former National Museum of Chinese History and the National Museum of Chinese Revolution, this mega-plex of a museum is a must visit when in Beijing. The National Museum of China is located on the East side of Tiananmen Square, across from the by Gary+Lee+Todd%2C+Ph.D. Great Hall of People. Here visitors will find vast collections of both history and art spanning the ages with numerous exhibits dedicated to cultural relics, Chinese history, artwork and much more. Best of all, this enchanting museum is free with a valid form of identification. +86 10 6511 6400 www.chnmuseum.cn/ [email protected] 16 East Chang'an Avenue, Beijing

Beihai Park "Beautiful Park with Historic Buildings"

Built for reigning emperors of the Khan dynasty, this lush, green park was once used for recreation by the royal family. The gardens were first constructed in the 11th Century, though it was not opened to the public until 1925. Renowned for being the home of one of the largest historical Chinese gardens in existence, the park also contains numerous historical by Czzhermit temples and structures. Visitors can explore the park's picturesque gardens, lake and famous White Pagoda on Jade Flower Island. Kids will love riding in a paddle boat around the serene lake, or having a picnic in the shade.

+86 10 6403 3225 www.beihaipark.com.cn/ [email protected] Beihai Park, Beijing

Temple of Heaven "Historic Temple Complex & Park"

A celestial ode that was built at the behest of Emperor Zhu Di of the Ming Dynasty, the majestic Temple of Heaven is situated in the capital city of Beijing. The temple was built between 1406 and 1420 as a solemn worship site for emperors of the time, who came to pray among other things, for a good harvest season. The austere architecture of this by flprograms 267-hectare (659.77 acre) shrine was dictated by a stringent Confucian philosophy, one that permeates through the temple's layout, arrangement, and building placement. The temple consists of four main areas - the Round Altar, Echo Wall, the Vault of Heaven and the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests. The distinctive outline of the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests is the result of architectural ingenuity, and a whisper at any point on the Echo Wall can be heard anywhere else along its length of 64 meters (210 feet). Throughout the temple complex, intricate details that are otherwise lost in its larger-than-life shape symbolize the cosmic relationship between earth and celestial bodies. Such is the attention given to design and philosophy, that each element of the temple has an underlying meaning.

+86 10 6702 8866 www.tiantanpark.com/ 1 Tiantan East Road, Beijing

Summer Palace "Breathtaking Gardens & Ancient Art"

Located 15 kilometers (9 miles) from central Beijing, this World Heritage Site is a breathtaking display of ancient art and architecture, lush royal gardens and amazing vistas. This vast complex of luxuriant greenery is studded with ancient architectural gems and pristine lakes; a triumphant showcase of traditional landscape design. The Summer Palace consists of by d'n'c numerous pavilions, towers, bridges and corridors, while the gardens are some of the best preserved in China. First built by the Qing Dynasty in 1750 as the 'Garden of Clear Ripples', the Palace suffered hefty damages in the war of 1860 and then again in 1900, only to be restored to its former resplendent glory a few years later. Its origins, though, can be traced back to 1153 when the capital of the Jin Dynasty was moved here. The Summer Palace is also known for its impressive 17-arch bridge and the Long Corridor decorated with brightly-colored paintings that depict Chinese mythological tales. Akin to a jewel box with its treasures laid bare, the Summer Palace is an enchanting medley of unforgettable sights.

+86 10 6288 1144 www.summerpalace-china.com/ 19 Xinjiangongmen Road, Beijing 798 Art Zone "Bohemian Art Zone"

798 Art Zone goes by several names including Factory 798 and 798 Art District. This historic network of military industrial buildings is today a chic art hub. The Dashanzi Factory Complex was originally conceived as part of the 'Soviet Unification Plan' in the 1950s and the factory was designed to manufacture electronics in cooperation with what was then East Germany. by Charlie fong冯成 The complex was designed in Bauhaus style and was geared towards maximum efficiency and had housing, recreational and manufacturing zones. In the 1980s the factory was decommissioned and left abandoned. A decade later, the space was taken over by the Central Academy of Fine Arts and became a studio space for young and emerging artists. Over the years, art has boomed here, and it is today home to studios, galleries, exhibition spaces, and hosts festivals like the Dashanzi International Art Festival and Beijing Queer Film Festival.

+86 10 5978 9798 2 Jiuxianqiao Road, Beijing

Yonghe Temple "Historic Temple With Stunning Architecture"

Built in 1694, the Yonghe Temple was the residence of Prince Yin Zhen, a son of Emperor Kang Xi of the Qing Dynasty. For many years, it was the leading center for Yellow Hat Shamanism, a distinctive branch of Tibetan Buddhism. It features five large halls and five courtyards with beautifully decorative archways, upturned eaves and carved details. Also known as by Jorge Lascar the Palace of Peace and Harmony, this site houses a treasury of Buddhist art, including sculptured images of gods, demons and Buddhas, as well as Tibetan-style murals.

+86 10 8419 1919 www.yonghegong.cn/ yonghegong@yonghegong 12 Yonghegong Street, .cn Beijing

Ming Tombs "The Resting Place of Emperors"

Some 50 kilometers (31 miles) northwest of Beijing and surrounded by scenic mountains are 13 tombs from the Ming Dynasty era. The Emperor Yong Le first chose to build his tomb here in 1407, and successive emperors have followed suit. The tomb of Emperor Shen Zong is one of three excavated so far. Dubbed the Underground Palace, it is a dark, by Charlie fong cement-like bunker. Perhaps more noteworthy are the more than 3000 archaeological artifacts displayed in the vaulted stone halls. Usually, a trip to the Ming Tombs is a part of Great Wall tour package offered by travel agencies. The opening hours and admission prices of each tomb area vary.

+86 10 6076 1424 www.mingtombs.com/ Changchi Road, Changping District, Beijing

Great Wall at Badaling "Great Wall at its Finest"

Badaling is the most visited and well-preserved section of the Great Wall of China and lies approximately 50 miles (80 km) northwest of Beijing in Yanqing County. The section boasts 43 watch towers over nearly 12 kilometers (7 miles) of the Wall, and has an average altitude of 1,000 meters (3282 feet) above sea-level. Badaling can be visited during a half- by Doyleconan day trip from Beijing, though visitors must often navigate large crowds of tourists.

+86 10 6912 1737 www.badalinggreatwall.co [email protected] Yanqing, Badaling m/ JOIN US AT:

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