1. Check out The Forbidden City
There’s no better way to start your trip in Beijing on a high note than to visit its most enduring icon – the Forbidden City, or also known as the Imperial Palace. A former home to a long line of Chinese emperors, “the Palace Museum” has been a place of mystery and wonder for more than 500 years, making it a must-see site for every Juan. What’s more, it holds the record as the largest palace complex in the world, with an estimated land area of 72 hectares and a collection of 800 buildings. And beyond its towering fortifications, you will find an elaborate labyrinth of temples, sleeping quarters, pavilions, gates, halls and squares.
More information:
- Address: 4 Jingshan Front St, Dongcheng Qu, Beijing Shi, China, 100006
- Opening times: 08:30 AM to 05:00 PM from April to October, and 08:30 AM to 04:30 PM from November to March
- Admission fee: CNY 40 (PHP 310) from November to March, and CNY 60 (PHP 466) from April to October
2. Swing by Tiananmen Square
The Tiananmen Square, in spite of its dull-looking concrete field, is still a can’t-miss landmark, when visiting Beijing. With an impressive and sprawling land area of 440, 000 square meters, this immense flatland is the largest public square on earth, beating the likes of Saint Peter’s Square, Red Square and Times Square. Furthermore, it is the tourist, political and geographic center of Beijing, drawing flocks of tourists and locals every day who want to experience the country’s beating heart. To top it all off, it is surrounded by a bunch of mesmerizing attractions in Beijing, including the Forbidden City, National Museum of China, Chairman Mao’s Mausoleum, and the Great Hall of the People.
More information:
- Address: West Changan Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing 100006, China
- Opening times: 24 hours day
- Admission fee: Free
3. Unwind at Beihai Park
After visiting the concrete jungles of the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square, make your way to the nearby Beihai Park, to enjoy a breath of fresh air. Whether you’re chilling under a tree overlooking an ancient pagoda or the lake, you will see why this gorgeous green sanctuary has been preserved for more than a thousand years. Over time, this striking park has acquired a few more monuments, further adding to its appeal and relaxing feel.
More information:
- Address: Beihai Nan Men, Weijin Lu, Xicheng District, Beijing, China
- Opening hours: 06:30 AM to 09:00 PM from April to October and 06:30 AM to 08:00 PM from November to March
- Admission fee: CNY 5 to 10 (PHP 39 to 77), depending on month
4. See The Great Wall of China
You can’t leave Beijing without a side trip to one of the world’s most famous monuments – the Great Wall of China. Praised for its sheer size and elaborate carvings, the wall is, after all, a symbol of China and the epitome of the incredible organizational skills of the country’s architects in ancient times. Plus, it’s a UNESCO World Heritage site that offers a glimpse into the beautiful history of China.
Unfortunately, though, it’s unlikely that you’ll see the whole thing. Remember, the mall measures a whopping length of 5,500 miles long. That’s why you should aim to see a portion of it. And since you’ll be coming from Beijing, we recommend that you visit either the Mutianyu section to the Badaling section.
5. Be enthralled by the beauty of Summer Palace
Want to know how China’s imperial family spent its leisure time? Itching to escape the hustle bustle city life? Then, make sure to drop by the Summer Palace – a magnificent 700-acre royal retreat commissioned in 1750 by Emperor Qianlong. Nestled in the northwest suburbs of Beijing, the palace is literally an oasis, serving as home to the tranquil Kunming Lake. Not to mention, the palace hosts a mishmash of attractions, including its imperial garden and the Seventeen-Arch Bridge.
More information:
- Address: 19 Xinjiangongmen Rd, Haidian Qu, China, 100000
- Contact number: +86 10 6288 1144
- Opening times: 06:30 AM to 06:00 PM from April to October, and 07:00 to 05:00 PM from November to March
- Admission fee: CNY 30 (PHP 233) from April to October, and CNY 20 (PHP 155) from November to March
Photo credit: maya.pls
6. Visit the Temple of Heaven
They don’t call the Temple of Heaven as one of the best attractions in Beijing for nothing. Not only is it steeped in history, but it’s also so much more serene than the others places to visit in Beijing. To make things even better, the temple flaunts an intricate architecture as well as a pleasant garden. And, by the way, did we mention that it’s also a UNESCO World Heritage site?
More information:
- Address: 1 Tiantan E Rd, Dongcheng Qu, Beijing Shi, China
- Contact number: +86 10 6702 8866
- Opening times: Hours vary. Check travelchinaguide.com/attraction/beijing/heaven/
- Admission fee: CNY 10 to 15 (PHP 77 to 116), depending on the month
7. Dive into China’s fascinating history
For history buffs, don’t forget to include a visit to National Museum of China to your list of things to do in Beijing. Billed as one of the world’s largest and most visited museums, this treasure trove was specifically built to educate visitors about China’s history and arts through fabulous displays with some dating back more than 1.5 million years ago. Here, you’ll get to lay eyes on a permanent collection of over a million items, with tons of rare and precious artifacts not to be found in any museum across the world.
More information:
- Address: 16 E Chang’an Ave, Dongcheng Qu, China
- Contact number: +86 10 6511 6400
- Opening times: 09:00 AM to 04:30 PM from Tuesday to Sunday
- Admission fee: Free for basic exhibits
Photo credit: lazystupidandmean
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