Beijing, or as the Chinese call it, Beijing, is the capital of China and one of its four provincial cities. The city has a history dating back roughly 3,000 years and is considered the political, educational, religious and cultural centre of the country.
The city is home to several religious communities, including Buddhism, Taoism, Islam and Christianity. The Temples of Heaven, Earth, Sun and Moon and the Lama Temple are the best known religious sites.
In terms of architecture, Beijing has a number of World Heritage Sites, including the Forbidden City, the Ming Dynasty Tombs and the Summer Palace. The city is home to seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the most important of which is Tiananmen Square, from where the entrance to the Forbidden City is located¹. The city is also home to the famous Great Wall of China, the Olympic Park, the Gulou and Zhonglou (also known as the Drum and Bell Tower), or the Drum and Bell Tower, which were the official timekeepers of Beijing during the Yuan and Ming Dynasties.
The city is home to many food specialities, including Beijing duck ragout, jiaozi (noodles), hotpot, Beijing pancakes and zhajiangmian (noodles with soy sauce).
Here are 10 things to do in Beijing:
- Forbidden city
- The Great Wall
- Summer Palace
- Lama Temple
- Tiananmen Square
- Ming Dynasty Tomb
- Olympic Park
- Gulou and Zhonglou (Drum and Bell Tower)
- Temple of Heaven, Earth, Sun and Moon
- Temple of Confucius
Five tourist attractions in Beijing:
- The Forbidden City (Palace Museum):
- Description: Located in the heart of Beijing, the Forbidden City is a massive palace complex that served as the imperial palace for the Ming and Qing dynasties. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, showcasing traditional Chinese palatial architecture and housing a vast collection of artifacts.
- Tiananmen Square:
- Description: One of the world’s largest public squares, Tiananmen Square is surrounded by significant landmarks, including the Monument to the People’s Heroes, the Great Hall of the People, and the National Museum of China. It is a site of historical events and an important symbol of China.
- The Temple of Heaven (Tiantan):
- Description: A masterpiece of Chinese architecture, the Temple of Heaven is a complex of religious buildings set in a large park. Emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties visited the temple to perform ceremonies for good harvests. The Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests is a notable structure within the complex.
- The Summer Palace (Yiheyuan):
- Description: A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Summer Palace is a vast imperial garden and palace situated on the outskirts of Beijing. It features a beautiful lake, traditional Chinese architecture, and lush gardens. The Longevity Hill and Kunming Lake are key elements of its landscape.
- The Great Wall of China (Badaling or Mutianyu sections):
- Description: While the Great Wall extends across northern China, the Badaling and Mutianyu sections are easily accessible from Beijing. Badaling is one of the most well-preserved and frequently visited sections, offering stunning views of the wall winding through the mountains. Mutianyu is known for its picturesque scenery and is slightly less crowded.
