Beijing

Ultimate Guide to Beijing: History, Culture & Modern Sights

In Beijing, you can visit ancient palaces and temples that have existed for centuries while also standing beside tall modern skyscrapers and equally eye-catching buildings. The Forbidden City is in the center of town and was built in the 1400s as a palace complex only emperors could enter. Just outside the city, some of Beijing’s peaceful gardens and traditional temples, are waiting for you to escape the vibrancy of the city for a moment of peace.

Beijing is certainly much more than a history lesson. The markets are alive with many of the sights, sounds, and tastes of modern China. You can shop for the latest electronics, bread, and street food (even fried crickets). The Olympic Park, which is a very interesting place to visit, is a symbol of a unique design and transformation that the city has undergone – a must-see for those inquiring about contemporary architecture.

The Great Wall: Walk Through History

No visit to Beijing is complete without walking a section of the Great Wall of China. Most trips to the wall will likely include a visit to Badaling, since it is the closest section to the city, but we recommend a two-hour drive to Jinshanling. Jinshanling is about 80 miles northeast of Beijing, and is a quiet, not-so-visited section of the wall. Walk through original watchtowers and battlements, while taking in gorgeous views of the hills. Walking the wall at your own pace, you will appreciate the size and significance of this ancient wonder, as your guide describes construction stories and legends. This area is generally less crowded, so you will have an opportunity to collect photos and reflect on this amazing serenity. Positioned to ride the cable car back down, you will appreciate your new perspective of the surrounding landscape.

Temple of Heaven: Spirit of The City

The Temple of Heaven is one of the must-see attractions of Beijing. Built in the early 1400s, it was a vast complex where Ming and Qing emperors prayed for a plentiful harvest. The architectural design is stunning, including circular temples and details. The private guided tour of the three main buildings will enlighten you about China’s history, religion, and the importance of harmony in design. The park surrounding the temple is an amazing gathering place for local residents, particularly in the early morning. Expect to see people practicing tai chi, dancing, playing cards, and fencing during your visit. If you are interested, you should take a private tai chi class with a local master to learn the basics of the centuries-old practice of calming your body and mind.

The Forbidden City & Palace Museum: Imperial Grandeur

Explore the world of China’s emperors at the Forbidden City, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the largest palace complexes in the world. It has 980 buildings and almost 9,000 rooms, making it easy to get lost amongst the impressive halls, courtyards and gardens. Its architecture is traditional Chinese architecture, with red and gold colors and sweeping roofs, and symmetrical layout of buildings. The Palace Museum located inside the Forbidden City has a wonderful collection of paintings and pottery, jade jewelry, and ordinary items the imperial family used, as well as pieces of art and artifacts from ancient China. It will help you to understand the mystery and power of China’s rulers for almost a thousand years.

Beijing’s Markets: A Shopper’s Paradise

Beijing’s markets are a sensory Goldmine. If you are looking for antiques, souvenirs, or just to sample the local street food, there are some great markets. Panjiayuan Antiques Market is a huge flea market with about 3,000 stalls. You can find traditional Ming-style furniture, dollar coins, Tibetan art, and political posters. The atmosphere is vibrant, but laid back and you can drift through the stalls leisurely. Wangfujing is one of Beijing’s main shopping streets. At night the side streets are made into food markets. You can try local favorites like dumplings, candied fruit, or if you feel brave try deep fried scorpions and crickets. It is a great place to experience the entrepreneurial spirit of modern Beijing and its creativity.

The Summer Palace: Royal Retreat

The Summer Palace is the perfect place to escape the busy city and enjoy a beautiful retreat of gardens, temples and a lake in northern Beijing. Originally built as a summer palace of royalty, you can wander through the grounds and enjoy a leisurely stroll. The Long Corridor is the star of the park, a covered corridor about half a kilometer long with spectacular colorful artwork scenes inspired by Chinese mythology. Longevity Hill has the best views of Kunming Lake and the surrounding gardens. Along the lakeside you can find traditional teahouses and shops to stop and take in the surroundings for a break. The Summer Palace is particularly lovely in the spring and fall season, when the gardens are blooming, or the colors of fall foliage are ablaze.

Hutongs: The Heart of Old Beijing

There are few places in the world that can give you such a remarkable insight into the past than the hutongs of Beijing. Hutongs, a term used in northern China to describe the narrow alleyways of cities, are basically residential neighborhoods full of traditional courtyard homes. While much of the hutongs have been dismantled over time for development and modernization, small pockets of historic neighborhoods have been preserved. It is an absolute requirement for you to explore the hutongs by foot or rickshaw! Your guide will not only show you interesting architectural details, like decorative gates and dragon-shaped door knockers, but will also tell you stories about the families that have lived in the hutongs for generations. The atmosphere of community is palpable, with neighbors chatting, children playing, and local vendors hidden in every nook and cranny. If you are looking to really get into the spirit, consider cooking class in a local family home or if you wanted to sample some jianbing (chinese crepes), youtiao (fried dough sticks), or other breakfast items consider taking a street food breakfast tour.

Fragrant Hills Park: Nature’s Escape

Just outside Beijing is a local favourite spot, Fragrant Hills Park, a stunning destination typically visited in the fall when the maple trees are a fiery glow of red and orange. The park was once an imperial garden filled with temples, and pavilions surrounded by numerous scenic walking trails. You can hike to the top of Incense Burner Peak, or take a cable car to the top for a bird’s eye view of the land. It is the kind of space that is so peaceful, you will feel a million miles away from the city– making it a wonderful place for some relaxation and nature.

Lama Temple: A Spiritual Sanctuary

The Lama Temple, or Yonghe Temple, is the most significant Tibetan Buddhist site in Beijing. Set in the grounds of a former imperial complex, the temple complex is filled with the scent of incense, vibrant prayer flags, and awe-inspiring Buddha statues. You will find that each hall has different shrines and religious objects, in addition to a small museum filled with interesting things used in Tibetan Buddhist rituals. Regardless if you are interested in religion, art, or a quiet place to gather your thoughts, you will find it is well worth a visit!

Olympic Park: Beijing’s Modern Face

The 2008 Olympics highlighted the modern side of Beijing on a global level. Today you can visit the Olympic Park, the place where you can experience the famous Bird’s Nest Stadium and Water Cube in a more intimate way. The building architecture is stunning and bold for its futuristic design style, which speaks to the modern development of China. For some of the best views, go to the Olympic Park Observation Tower (830+ feet) for panoramic views of the Chinese capital. Olympic Park has beautiful landscapes at night with all the buildings lit up.

When to go to Beijing

Beijing is best visited in September, when the weather is warm, but not hot, and summer rains are over. May is also good, with reasonable temperatures and blooming gardens. If you enjoy the fall colors, then plan your trip in November when the parks are their most colorful. Winter (December – January) is extremely cold and potentially snowy, but you will find fewer crowds and a peaceful feel. Try to avoid early October when the national holidays draw large crowds and prices are higher!

Are you excited to see Beijing? It doesn’t matter if you are passionate about history, enthusiastic about modern architecture, or just want something new; Beijing offers a remarkable list of experiences for every type of traveler.