Forbidden City
Be sure to start your exploration of Beijing with this gigantic palace complex in the very center of the capital. Formerly the residence of emperors, where ordinary people were prohibited from entering, today the Forbidden City is open to everyone who wants to touch Chinese history. Tourists can go to the Gugun Imperial Museum located here and wander for hours, enjoying the magnificent architecture, rich decoration of the halls, countless gazebos and pavilions surrounded by lakes and gardens.
Ticket price : 60 yuan.
The great Wall of China
Perhaps the most popular attraction not only in Beijing, but throughout China. Just think: this gigantic man-made structure stretches for almost 9 thousand kilometers across the entire Northern China, they say it can even be seen from space! At one time, the wall served to protect the empire from the attacks of nomadic barbarians, and today anyone can climb its crest to feel the power of the ancient Chinese civilization.
Not far from the city of Beijing there are several sections of the wall that are visited by tourists. The most popular and closest (60 km from the capital) is Badaling.
Summer Palace
You can find out how the Chinese emperors lived right here, in one of the most impressive palace and park complexes in the Celestial Empire. It is better to get acquainted with the Summer Palace slowly, walking along the winding park paths and noticing the details that give the park and the palace a special charm. Everything here causes delight: bright yellow roof tiles, carved figures of dragons hiding on the slopes of pagodas, painted pavilions and picture windows overlooking the lake – it is simply impossible to remain indifferent!
Opening hours : from April 1 to October 31 – 06:30–18:00 (the park area around the lake is open until 22:00). From November 1 to March 31 – 07:00–17:00 (the park area around the lake is open until 21:00). Attractions are open from April 1 to October 31 – 08:30–17:00; from November 1 to March 31 – 09:00–16:00.
Prices : ticket costs 30 yuan.
Kunminghu Lake
For those who want to take a break from the noisy life of the capital, we can advise you to go see the central lake of Beijing – Kunminghu, which is on the territory of the Summer Palace.
It’s worth coming here to enjoy the beautiful views of the park and see the unforgettable beauty of the sunset on the shore of the lake, as well as the largest bridge on the lake with 17 arches and its famous reflection in the mirror lake water – a surprisingly harmonious and peaceful sight.
Sky Temple
Beijing is famous for its temples, of which there are a great many, but one of the most revered is the Temple of Heaven. It personifies the unity of Heaven and Earth, and here every detail is filled with a special meaning. Particularly impressive is the round main hall with a sky-blue roof – the personification of Heaven – supported by columns symbolizing the seasons. Well, after visiting the temple, be sure to take a walk in the adjacent park, designed in the best traditions of Chinese gardening art.
Tiananmen Square
A symbol of modern China, Tiananmen Square never fails to attract crowds of tourists, and it’s easy to see why. Take, for example, the famous ceremony of raising the national flag, which takes place here every morning and makes an indelible impression with its precise, precise synchronicity of execution. Or the fact that the square itself is breathtaking with its truly gigantic size and monumentality (no joke – the square can accommodate up to a million people at once!). Or the fact that the most important attractions of China are concentrated on Tiananmen. In general, no matter what attracts you to the main square of the Chinese capital, it is simply impossible to miss visiting it.
Advice : to fully experience the scale of the square, it is best to come here early in the morning, while there are still not many people.
Beihai Park
Interesting places to see in Beijing are not limited to palaces and temples. Chinese parks have also long and firmly become one of the symbols of the Celestial Empire, and Beihai Park is no exception. The atmosphere of peace and harmony in this green oasis is immediately transmitted to everyone who visits it. Winding paths, a cool lake with blooming lotuses, lush greenery and shady corners of the park seem to be created for contemplation and relaxation. A great place to spend at least the whole day here, and the most beautiful corners of the park are just begging to be photographed.
Price : Entrance to the park costs 15 yuan.
Yonghegong Temple
One of China’s must-see temple architecture gems in Beijing, the Yonghegong Buddhist Temple should definitely be on your travel list. Everything here is striking: the bright, original appearance of the temple buildings, combining Chinese and Tibetan styles (Tibetan Buddhism is practiced in the temple), vibrant colors and decor and, of course, the 26-meter sandalwood statue of Buddha, listed in the Guinness Book of Records. The temple is active, so you can also see how rituals are performed and prayers are held.
National Museum of China
It is here that the most complete collection dedicated to the history of China is located. The museum’s collection includes 620 thousand exhibits telling about its various stages, from antiquity to the present day, as well as about the culture, art and rich historical heritage of the country. Jewelry, utensils, ancient armor, historical documents – it will take a whole day to go around all the halls of the museum, but believe me, it’s worth it!
Opening hours : Tuesday–Sunday from 09:00 to 17:00.
Entrance to the museum is free.
Xiangshan Park
Another park you should definitely visit in Beijing! Built in 1186, Xiangshan Park is one of the oldest in the country and one of the most beautiful. Ponds with gazebos on the shore, waterfalls and grottoes, flowering trees and lush greenery invite relaxation and create a relaxing atmosphere. And the most persistent can climb to the Liuli Pagoda – an amazingly beautiful building, lined with jade-green tiles, which offers a beautiful view of the park from above.
Prices : a ticket to the park costs 15 yuan; you need to pay separately for visiting the Buddhist temple complex.
Gongwangfu or Prince Gong’s Palace
This palace and park ensemble, which was formerly the residence of the imperial favorite, today houses a museum and a theater, and the park is open to everyone. In the museum you can find out what the princely chambers and residence looked like during their heyday (all thanks to accurately restored interiors, as well as original decorative and interior items), and in the theater lovers of beauty can get acquainted with the original genre of Chinese opera and circus.
Opening hours : the museum is open to the public daily from 07:30 to 16:30.
Houhai Lake
You can get acquainted with the evening life of Beijing, and at the same time see how people lived in the city in the old days, by going to Lake Houhai. This area is famous for the fact that the so-called hutongs – traditional narrow alleys – have been preserved here and life is in full swing in the evenings. During the day, you can ride around the area in a pedicabbed rickshaw, and in the evening, stroll along the embankment by the lake, taste local cuisine in one of the restaurants (fortunately, there are many of them to suit every taste) and listen to traditional music.
Silk market
To diversify your trip to interesting places in Beijing, we recommend checking out the Silk Market, a mecca for shoppers of all stripes. This is where you can buy anything (okay, almost everything). From 09:30 to 22:00, all seven floors of this, essentially, shopping center, are in full swing with life. Here you will find fabrics and jewelry, accessories and antiques and even handicrafts. And remember: if you are interested in something, bargain and bargain again! Prices here are often doubled or even tripled, so don’t be shy.
Niujie Mosque
This upside-down building will be of interest to any tourist. The “trick” of the mosque is that from the outside it looks like a typical Chinese temple – with a two-tiered roof, a carved facade and other attributes. But inside there is a traditional Muslim shrine. In addition, this is the oldest mosque in Beijing, built in 996. The mosque has separate prayer halls for women and men.
Yuanmingyuan Park
Once the countryside summer residence of monarchs and the pearl of the capital of the Middle Kingdom, larger than the Summer Palace and known as the “Chinese Versailles,” today Yuanmingyuan is a picturesque ruin surrounded by artificial lakes with islands. The park, although abandoned, is surprisingly attractive precisely because of its neglect and silence. There are no crowds of tourists or noisy excursions here, but you can have a great time if you want peace and solitude.
Museum of Applied Arts
You can get acquainted with the works of traditional Chinese decorative and applied arts at the Museum of Applied Arts. It contains unique items made of bronze, stone and wood, porcelain and bone carvings, as well as paintings, enamel and calligraphy. The collection of jewelry made of gold, bronze and jade is also impressive.
Lyulichan Street
This is a kind of Montmartre of the Chinese capital. Lyulichan Street is simply a godsend for all lovers of art, antiquity and simply soulful unique things. On this colorful street with old houses there are workshops and shops of all kinds of artisans, where you can buy antiques and various handicrafts that you won’t find anywhere else. Jade jewelry, scrolls with calligraphy, ink pots and brushes, paintings on mirrors, shadow theater dolls – the most original and unique souvenirs can only be found here!
Opening hours : shops are open from 09:00 to 18:00
Beijing Zoo
It will be interesting to go to the Beijing Zoo for both adults and children, but not only because there are more animals here than in other zoos in the country. The main “star” of the Beijing Zoo is the giant panda, which has long become the favorite of all its visitors. You can admire these rare, but such cute hulks every day.
Opening hours : from 07:30 to 17:00 daily.
Beijing Botanical Garden
There is one interesting museum in the Beijing Botanical Garden, but little known to the general public. This is the Museum of Bees and Honey. This is paradise for a sweet tooth! After all, here you will not only learn how to breed bees and collect honey, but also try a variety of its varieties. The museum staff will also tell you how bees communicate with each other.
Opening hours : the museum is open from 08:30 to 16:30.
Prices : admission costs 6 yuan.
Beijing Art Zone 798
Dedicated to all lovers and connoisseurs of non-standard approaches and creative solutions! One of the most interesting places in Beijing, Art Zone 798, is suitable for everyone who doesn’t mind turning their idea of art upside down.
Traditional painting, graphics, sculpture and design of all kinds and stripes take on such fantastic and sometimes phantasmagoric forms here that you are amazed. It won’t be boring, you can believe it! Many art objects are free; viewing others costs between 5-15 yuan. If you get tired of the abundance of creativity, there are cafes and shops at your service where you can take a break before the next “throw”.