Beijing's Highlights
At the heart of Beijing is tradition, given physical form in the mighty Forbidden City, from where successive imperial dynasties have ruled since the 15th century. Neighboring Tian’an Men Square is the China of recent history, of red-flag socialism and Mao. But this is also a city on the move, as an all-pervading spirit of change makes Beijing the most 21st-century of capitals.
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NOTE
Forbidden City
So called because at one time only members of the imperial court were allowed inside, this is one of the largest and greatest palace complexes ever built (see Forbidden City).
Temple of Heaven
Originally the venue for annual winter solstice sacrifices, which were performed by successive emperors to ensure ample harvests, the temple remains Beijing’s most recognizable icon (see Temple of Heaven (Tiantam)).
Tian’an Men Square
The world’s largest public square is not pretty, but it is surrounded by august cultural and political institutions, and it is also the final resting place of Chairman Mao Zedong (see Tian’an Men Square).
Lama Temple
The largest and most spectacular of the city’s temples is a working lamasery, home to monks from Mongolia and Tibet (see Lama Temple (Yonghegong)).
Bei Hai Park
The most beautiful of Beijing’s many city parks is laid out around a central lake, first dug out in the 12th century, with the excavated earth used to create a central island. The famed Kublai Khan ruled his empire from a palace here (see Bei Hai Park).
Hou Hai
By day visitors take rickshaw tours around the back lanes for a glimpse of fast-disappearing old Beijing; by night, attention shifts to the area’s lakeside bars and restaurants (see Hou Hai).
Summer Palace
Beijing summers are unbearably hot, so the imperial court would exchange the Forbidden City for this semi-rural retreat with its ornate pavilions, gardens, and temples, ranged around the cool expanse of Kunming Lake (see Summer Palace (Yiheyuan)).
798 Art District
When former electronic components factory 798 became a venue for cutting-edge contemporary art it kick-started a neighborhood trend for converting industrial spaces into galleries and chic cafés and bars (see 798 Art District).
Ming Tombs
Thirty miles (45 km) northwest of Beijing is the vast burial site of 13 of China’s 16 Ming emperors. One of the underground tombs can be visited but most impressive of all is the Sacred Way, with its 12 pairs of stone guardians (see Ming Tombs).
Great Wall
“Great” is something of an understatement; the wall is nothing less than spectacular. Clamber up the perilously sloping carriageways to one of the crowning watchtowers and the experience is also quite literally breath-taking (see Great Wall of China).
