As the capital of China, Beijing boasts rich historical and cultural heritages as well as modern landscapes. Here are some must-visit tourist attractions:
The Palace Museum (Forbidden City)
Introduction: Formerly known as the Forbidden City, it is one of the largest and best-preserved ancient wooden architectural complexes in the world.
Features: The palace buildings are orderly distributed along the central axis, with red walls, yellow tiles and a resplendent appearance. The buildings such as the Hall of Supreme Harmony, the Hall of Central Harmony and the Hall of Preserving Harmony are solemn and imposing, while the palaces in the harem, such as the Ganqing Palace and the Kunning Palace, depict scenes of royal life. Tourists can enjoy the exquisite exhibition of court relics.
Recommendation reason: The Forbidden City is a must-visit place in Beijing. It is a symbol and emblem of ancient China, and history has left behind a large number of precious buildings and countless cultural relics.
Tian ‘anmen Square
Introduction: One of the largest urban squares in the world, it is a symbol of China.
Feature: The flag-raising ceremony every morning is solemn and dignified, attracting a large number of tourists to come and watch.
Recommendation reason: Tiananmen Square is the heart of Beijing and one of the must-visit scenic spots for every tourist.
Badaling Great Wall
Introduction: An important part of the Great Wall, it is renowned for its grandeur and magnificence.
Feature: The city wall winds along the ridge, and beacon towers stand in rows. Standing on the Great Wall, one can take in the magnificent mountain scenery at a glance and feel the heroic sentiment of “He who has never been to the Great Wall is not a true man”.
Recommendation reason: Badaling Great Wall is one of the iconic scenic spots in Beijing. Its scenery combines grandeur and peril with beauty and verdant greenery, making it the essence of the Ming Great Wall’s landscape.
The Summer Palace
Introduction: A royal garden of the Qing Dynasty, it drew on the design techniques of gardens in the Jiangnan region and is a large-scale landscape garden.
Features: The Kunming Lake in the park is rippling with clear blue waves. The Seventeen-arch Bridge, like a long rainbow lying on the water, connects Nanhu Island and the east shore. The Buddha Incense Pavilion on Wanshou Mountain is grand and imposing. Standing on the Buddha Incense Pavilion, one can overlook the beautiful scenery of the entire garden.
Recommendation reason: The Summer Palace is the best-preserved imperial garden in China, renowned worldwide for its exquisite lakes, flowers, trees and magnificent architecture.
The Temple of Heaven Park
Introduction: It was the place where emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties offered sacrifices to heaven, prayed for good harvests and rain. It is the largest existing ancient sacrificial architectural complex in China.
Features: The architectural layout is strict, the architectural structure is unique, and the architectural decoration is magnificent. The main scenic spots include the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, the Circular Mound Altar, the Echo Wall, etc., which reflect ancient China’s reverence for heaven and earth and its emphasis on agricultural production.
Recommendation reason: The Temple of Heaven Park is not only a historic imperial garden, but also a comprehensive park integrating culture, architecture and gardens.
The Old Summer Palace
Introduction: Known as the “Garden of Gardens”, it was once a royal garden of the Qing Dynasty.
Features: The buildings in the park are exquisite and the scenery is beautiful. But after going through so many vicissitudes, only ruins remain today. The ruins of Western-style buildings and other landscapes can’t help but evoke a sense of the tremendous changes in history, and also remind people to remember history.
Recommendation reason: The Old Summer Palace is an important window to understand the architecture and history of the imperial gardens of the Qing Dynasty.
Prince Gong’s Mansion
Introduction: It was once the residence of Heshen and later became the royal home of Prince Gong Yixin.
Feature: There is a saying that “One Prince Gong’s Mansion is half of the history of the Qing Dynasty.” The mansion is luxuriously built and the garden is beautiful. Among them, the grand stage, the square pond waterside pavilion, the “Fu” character stele, and the Western Gate are all must-see attractions.
Recommendation reason: The Prince Gong’s Mansion is an important place to experience the life and culture of a Qing Dynasty royal mansion.
Universal Beijing Resort
Introduction: The fifth Universal Studios theme park in the world.
Features: It boasts seven world-class movie IP-themed scenic spots, such as the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Minion Land, and Jurassic World Isla Nublar. Tourists can experience various thrilling amusement facilities, watch wonderful performances and interact with their favorite movie characters.
Recommendation reason: Universal Beijing Resort is an ideal place to experience the charm of the movie world and enjoy happy family time.
Shichahai
Introduction: Composed of Qianhai, Houhai and Xihai, it is surrounded by numerous hutongs and quadrangle courtyards.
Feature: It is filled with the lively atmosphere of old Beijing. The architectural style in the park is unique and exudes the atmosphere of the industrial age. Everywhere you look, you can see various art exhibitions, creative sculptures and graffiti works. It is a must-visit destination for young people who are fond of literature and art and art lovers.
Recommendation reason: Shichahai is an important area for experiencing the charm and culture of old Beijing.
National Museum of China
Introduction: The country’s highest historical, cultural and artistic hall and cultural living room.
Features: Currently, there are over 1.4 million items in the collection, showcasing a rich variety of cultural relics and artworks, including ancient Chinese bronzes, ceramics, calligraphy and paintings, dll.
Recommendation reason: The National Museum of China is an important window to understand China’s long history and culture. It is free to open and offers excellent value for money.
In addition, there are also the Olympic Park (where you can visit iconic buildings such as the Bird’s Nest and the Water Cube), Xiangshan Park (an excellent place to enjoy the red leaves in autumn), Beijing Zoo (suitable for family visits and to observe various animals), and other scenic spots, which are also must-visit choices for traveling in Beijing.
When planning a trip, it is recommended to make reasonable arrangements based on personal interests and time, and try to avoid peak tourist periods to obtain a better visiting experience. At the same time, pay attention to the opening hours and ticket policies of each scenic spot and make preparations in advance.