A series of temple-like structures and burial mounds, the Ming Tombs contain the remains of 13 of the 16 emperors who ruled China during the Ming Dynasty (1368 to 1644). Visitors come from all over to see the imperial grandeur of this UNESCO World Heritage site and learn about the cultural importance of ancestor worship.
To experience both original and restored portions of the Great Wall of China without straying far from Beijing, many visitors choose the stretch between Jinshanling and Simatai, a trek seemingly made for hikers and adventurers. The 4-hour hike ranks among the wall’s most popular and rewards intrepid travelers with some of the most photogenic views.
In the years since Beijing hosted the 2008 Olympic Games, the structures at the Beijing Olympic Park have become just as representative of Beijing as the Forbidden City or the Great Wall. While the Olympic Green houses half a dozen different venues, most visitors come to see the Beijing National Stadium and the Water Cube.
Located in the Xicheng District of Beijing, Yandaixie Street is one of the oldest streets in Beijing, and dates back to the Yuan dynasty. Stretching for about 761 feet (232 meters, Yandaixie Street today is a vibrant mix of old and new, full of shops, cafés, restaurants, and bars, in reconstructed Ming and Qing dynasty era buildings.
The Beijing Drum Tower (Gulou) stands just south of its sibling, the Bell Tower (Zhonglou), in the Beijing district that bears its name. First built in the 13th century, the striking red structure has been rebuilt several times. It originally held 25 drums that kept time for the city, and today it hosts regular drumming performances.
Chairman Mao Memorial Hall, also known as the Mausoleum of Mao Zedong, houses the embalmed body of the revolutionary and dictator who was the founding father of the People’s Republic of China. The Soviet-style structure and the sculptures in front of it are one of the dominant features of Beijing’s Tiananmen Square.
To Chinese, the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvest is as much a symbol of Beijing as the Forbidden City or Tiananmen Square. The 3-tier circular structure, set atop a 3-stage marble terrace, is the star attraction of the Temple of Heaven, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This hall is a 19th-century reconstruction of the original, built in 1420.
Inspired by the water towns around Shanghai, especially Wuzhen, Gubei Water Town occupies a picture-postcard position beside a lake, backed by the Great Wall at Simatai. Locals re-create traditional activities, from making rice wine to dying clothes. There are temples and eateries year-round and ice sculptures in season.
Located in Shanxi Province, the Yungang Grottoes (Yungang Shiku are an impressive example of Buddhist cave art. Dating back to the fifth and sixth centuries, the UNESCO World Heritage Site is made up of 252 caves and niches, holding more than 51,000 statues ranging in size from one inch (two centimeters to 89 feet (27 meters.
Built into the cliffs of Mt. Hengshan in the Shanxi Province, Hanging Temple is striking because of its precipitous location 165 feet (50 meters) above the ground. Dating back more than 1,500 years, the temple (also known as Hanging Monastery or Xuankong Si) is also the only temple dedicated to Buddhism, Confucianism, and Taoism.
There are two reasons to visit Wangfujing Street (Wangfujing Dajie) in Beijing: shopping and eating. The commercial street is home to nearly 300 Chinese and international brand-name stores selling everything from clothes to tea and herbs, while neighboring Wangfujing Snack Street appeals to intrepid tourists and adventurous local eaters.
A historic scenic area in the northern part of central Beijing, Shichahai comprises three lakes—Front Lake (Qianhai), Back Lake (Houhai), and West Lake (Xihai)—as well as the hutong alleyways around them. With ice skating in winter and pedal boats in summer, plus snacks and beers on offer year-round, it’s a lively part of Beijing.
Located in the Dongcheng District, Beijing’s Pearl Market (Hongqiao Market) is the place to go for anything pearl-related. The largest pearl market in the country, it sells the gems in nearly every size, shape, color, quality, and price imaginable, as well as a range of other goods, including clothing, electronics, and even seafood.
The National Museum of China is the largest museum in the country, and one of the largest in the world. It features rotating exhibits exploring the history of China, from the Opium Wars and the founding of the Communist Party, to the Sino-French and Sino-Japanese Wars, the Chinese Revolution of 1911, and the social unrest of 1989.
Uncrowded and off the beaten path, the Huanghuacheng Great Wall rewards hikers who want to experience part of the wall that is wilder and more private than the longer stretches. This is the only waterside portion that’s open to visitors, offering spectacular views of the surrounding countryside and reservoir.
The Communist-era factories and warehouses of northwest Beijing’s 798 Art Zone have all been converted into edgy galleries, studios, boutique shops, and cafes whose modern and sometimes whimsical contents sit in stark contrast to the austere Bauhaus architecture. Most of Beijing’s best contemporary galleries are housed here.
Part of the Forbidden City during the Qing Dynasty, this 10th-century park is one of China’s oldest, largest, and most important ancient imperial gardens. Situated in the center of Beijing, the 171-acre (69-hectare) garden features a temple, bell and drum towers, a white pagoda, pavilions, lakes, and the intricate Nine-Dragon Wall.
While the Juyongguan segment of the Great Wall of China is the closest to Beijing, it's not the most visited; after all, the steps here are still steep and often uneven. Those who make the tough climb up are rewarded with stellar views of the wall winding along the hilltops and—perhaps more importantly—sparser crowds. The Juyongguan Great Wall (Great Wall at Juyong Pass), built during the Ming Dynasty, also features some interesting architectural elements (beyond the wall itself). Most notable is the Cloud Platform (Yun Tai), a squat white marble tower built in 1342 as a base for three stupas (and later a temple) that were subsequently destroyed. Visitors can still see carvings and inscriptions inside the platform's tunnel.
Originally built in 1302, Confucius Temple in Beijing is China’s second-largest temple dedicated to the great ancient Chinese thinker and teacher, whose influence is still felt today. The temple, which covers a space of 5.4 acres (2.2 hectares), also offers a peaceful sanctuary from the urban hustle and bustle.
The Legend of Kung Fu Show, which premiered at Beijing’s Red Theatre in 2004, tells the story of a young monk who dreams of one day becoming a kung fu master. The best kung fu practitioners from all across China tell the story through Chinese martial arts, traditional and modern dance, and Chinese acrobatics.
The Dingling Underground Palace was the first of the 13 Ming royal tombs to officially be opened to the public. The tomb houses the remains of Emperor Wanli (Zhu Yijun, the longest-reigning Ming Dynasty emperor, and his two wives, Xiaoduan and Xiaojing. An onsite museum displays some 3,000 objects excavated from the site.
Chaoyang Theatre is one of the best places to see a Chinese acrobatics show. Young acrobats from across China perform here, spinning plates, balancing on stacks of chairs, and riding motorcycles upside down in a steel cage, among other seemingly impossible feats of athleticism and strength.
Experience the “wild” Great Wall at Gubeikou, one of the most historically significant and hard-to-reach sections of the Great Wall. Stretching across the Yan mountains, the Gubeikou section has remained unrestored, making it ideal for visitors looking for an authentic Great Wall experience, away from the crowds.
Jiankou is the adventurer's Great Wall of China—an unrestored section with crumbling masonwork snaking along a wild mountain ridge 43 miles (70 kilometers) northeast of Beijing. Built during the Tang Dynasty, the wall is dotted with interesting features, including the Nine-Eye Tower, which offers views of China's capital city on a clear day.
A popular day-trip destination, the lush, green Longqingxia (aka Longqing Gorge or Dragon’s Rejoice Ravine) has been attracting visitors since the Song dynasty. Rent a boat, or just marvel at Rooster Crown Mountain—which resembles a rooster lying down, surrounded by water on three sides.
The China Central Television (or CCTV Headquarters is situated within an unusually shaped skyscraper in Beijing’s central business district. This seemingly gravity-defying structure, designed by Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas, is playfully nicknamed "Big Pants" among Beijing locals.
Built on a mountain ridge, the Huangyaguan Great Wall (Great Wall at Huangya Pass) is known for its steep steps and climbs, but the effort yields spectacular views. Huangyaguan, which is located farther away from Beijing than many other sections of the Great Wall, is ideal for visitors looking to explore a restored section of the wall, away from the crowds.
Located in the Chaoyang District, the New Silk Alley Market (Xiu Shui) is a 376,737-square-foot (35,000-square-meter) complex housing more than 1,700 retail vendors. Popular with tourists looking for bargains, the market is jam-packed with silk goods, clothing, jewelry, electronics, souvenirs, and more.
Stretching south from Tiananmen Square, along Beijing’s central axis, Qianmen Street was once the main commercial street of the city, with a history dating back more than 600 years. Renovated in 2007, today it’s a bustling pedestrian street, filled with shops, stalls, and restaurants housed in recreated late Qing Dynasty-era buildings.
Considered China’s first bank, the 19th-century Rishengchang Exchange sits at the heart of UNESCO World Heritage–listed Pingyao, a city that was once one of China’s financial centers. The low-rise courtyard complex is now a museum, with more than 20 rooms devoted to banking history. The vaults contain safes where gold and silver were stored.
