With a history dating back 3000 years, Beijing offers a treasure trove of stunning monuments to ancient dynasties.
Be inspired by the magnificent Summer Palace, the exquisite Temple of Heaven and the splendours of the Forbidden City. Then explore the hutongs (back alleys) by cycle rickshaw to see Chinese life at its most traditional.
From Beijing, take an endless adventure through 5000 years of ancient wonders and man-made marvels that dot the scenic landscape of eastern China.
Scramble over ancient ruins at Huanghua on the Great Wall, explore the site of a 600,000-year-old homo erectus at Zhoukoudian, wander along the shen dao (spirit way) at the necropolis of the Ming Dynasty, discover thousands of Buddhist statues in the caves of Yungang and paddle across the magical West Lake of Hangzhou.
Beijing offers an amazing treasure trove of stunning monuments to ancient dynasties, including the magnificent Summer Palace, the exquisite Temple of Heaven and the splendours of the Forbidden City.
Enjoy panoramic views over the world's largest public square from atop the 15th century Gate of Heavenly Peace, where Mao Zedong proclaimed the People’s Republic of China in 1949. Explore the Great Hall of the People and the Museum of the Chinese Revolution.
So named because it was off-limits to the general populace for 500 years, the Forbidden City is the best preserved Imperial architecture in China.
Wander through a quiet maze of courtyards and pavilions to The Hall of Supreme Harmony, the most important and the largest structure in the ancient complex.
Two dynasties of emperors, the Ming and the Qing, called the Forbidden City home.
Explore China's largest temple, an amazing complex of interconnected buildings enclosed by a huge circular wall and a 273ha park.
Built in 1420 AD, the temple served as an altar for Chinese monarchs during the Ming and Qing dynasties at a time when the Chinese believed that heaven was the supreme ruler of the universe.
Breathe in the fragrant scent of burning incense at this operating Buddhist temple, originally built in 1694 to house court eunuchs, later becoming the residence of the future Emperor Yongzheng.
Discover a treasure trove of Buddhist art, including decorative archways and sculptured images of gods, demons and buddhas as well as Tibetan-style murals.
Don’t miss the 18m-high wooden Tibetan-style statue of the Maitreya Buddha, a gift for Emperor Qianlong from the seventh Dalai Lama.
Discover the largest imperial garden in China (290ha), a stunning visual array of Chinese classical architecture spread along the shores of Kunming Lake.
Stroll the Long Corridor, a 700m-long covered wooden promenade; see the Marble Boat docked at the western end of the lake; admire the Precious Clouds Pavilion on Longevity Hill to the north; and don’t miss the Hall of Benevolence and Longevity, where the infamous Empress Dowager Cixi received members of the court.
Built for emperors of the Qing Dynasty, the palace is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Other major attractions that lie just a short drive away from Beijing, including …
Built during the Ming Dynasty (1368–1644) to defend China from northern invaders, the 6700km-long Great Wall stretches from Shanhaiguan, by the Yellow Sea, to Jiayuguan Pass in the Gobi Desert.
The most accessible places from Beijing, include Badaling – the most popular, only one hour from downtown Beijing; Mutianyu – less crowded and more spectacular than Badaling, with memorable views of the wall winding across woodlands and mountains; Huanghua – only 60km (37mi) north of Beijing, but completely unreconstructed with ramparts, parapets and towers to scramble over; and distant Simatai and Jinshanling – less crowded and far more beautiful.
Note: At certain places, cable cars offer an easy alternative to the strenuous climb typically needed to reach the lowest portions of the wall.
For a strenuous but rewarding four-hour adventure, hike (or cycle) the 9km (5.5mi) route from Jinshanling to Simatai (or visa versa).
To see the ‘Long Wall of Ten Thousand Li’ at its natural best, head to Jinshanling, 110km (68mi) north-east of Beijing.
This crumbling, 19km-long, largely unrestored section of the wall offers more than 20 watchtowers and panoramic vistas of mountain, farmland and wilderness as it snakes westward – seemingly forever – along ridges and over mountain peaks.
Explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site where the 600,000-year-old homo erectus (Sinanthrope) was discovered in 1929 inside a cave at Zhoukoudian, 50km (31mi) south-west of Beijing.
Stroll winding paths past larger-than-life stone statues of animals and men to discover the tombs of 13 Ming Dynasty emperors. The tombs are located in a tranquil Feng Shui-inspired valley enclosed by mountains, tranquil water and lush gardens, about 50km (31mi) north-west of Beijing
Examine the earliest Buddhist carvings yet discovered in China. Hewn into the southern cliffs of Wuzhou Shan, located 16km west of Datong, they include more than 50,000 Buddhist statues dating to the 5th century.
Images surrounding the main statues include pagodas in bas-relief, the omnipresent ‘1000 Buddha’ motif and flying apsaras (angels draped in flowing silk).
The remains of a huge mud-brick 17th century Qing Dynasty fortress sits on top of the mountain ridge. From the caves you can walk east to a remnant of the Great Wall.
Datong is located 350km (217mi) from Beijing, around 4 hours by car.
Discover one of the greatest concentrations of ancient buildings in China, built by the Manchu Qing between 1703 and 1794 as a summer camp. It was here that the Qing emperors practiced the equestrian military skills, with which they had originally conquered China.
At its peak, Bishu Shanzhuang (Mountain Retreat for Escaping the Heat) contained more than 100 buildings in a diverse range of architectural styles, from ornate temples and elegant pagodas to simple structures that showcased local traditions.
Today you can explore a mix of crumbling ruins and lovingly restored palaces that are still surrounded by 600ha of pretty lakes, meadows and forests.
Chengde is located 519km (322mi) from Beijing, around 6 hours by car.
Located in northern China, Beijing experiences a humid continental climate influenced by the East Asian monsoon and characterised by four distinct seasons.
The best time to visit Beijing is between September and early November during autumn, and also in spring, between April and May, when the sights are less crowded and it’s warm and dry, with an average temperature of 23°C (73°F). Early summer is also a good time to visit Beijing.
Summer, from June to August, is hot, humid and wet, with an average high temperature of 30°C (86°F), which can soar beyond 35°C (95°F). July and August are the wettest months of the year.
Winter in Beijing is cold: January is the coldest month averaging -4°C (24°F), but the temperature can drop to -20°C (-4°F).
More about Beijing weather…
Beijing – capital city of the People's Republic of China – is located in northern China.
The most convenient route to Beijing is by air to Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK), located 32km (20mi) northeast of Beijing's city centre.
A free inter-terminal shuttle bus operates between Terminals 1/2 and Terminal 3 every 10 minutes from 6am to 11pm, and every 30 minutes from 11pm to 6am. Terminals 1 and 2 are connected by a long corridor.
As part of the Beijing subway system, the Airport Express Line runs from Terminals 1/2 and 3 to Sanyuanqiao and Dongzhimen, every 10 minutes taking 30 minutes.
As well as walking and cycling, Beijing offers convenient transport solutions on subway trains, buses and metered taxis.
The Beijing Subway has more than 370 stations, and 608km (378mi) of rail lines. It is the second longest subway system in the world with a flat fare of ¥2 (0.31USD) per ride with unlimited transfers on all lines except the Airport Express.
Bicycles are still an important form of local transportation in Beijing and most main roads have dedicated bicycle lanes. Beijing is relatively flat, which makes cycling convenient.
Electric bicycles and scooters, with similar speeds also use the same cycle lanes. It is possible to cycle to most parts of the city. A large number of dockless app based bikeshares are available, including Mobike, Bluegogo and Ofo.
More about how to get to Beijing…
Local handicrafts, jade, silk, embroidery, calligraphy, paintings and carvings in wood, stone and bamboo are just some of the regions’ best buys.
Latest update: Beijing Honeymoon Adventure: 5 May, 2024
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