Discover the 11 Best Beijing Tourist Attractions: Top Places to Visit in Beijing
As the capital city of the People’s Republic of China, Beijing is an inviting place with its rich imperial past, contemporary sites, and cultural activities. The city is centuries old, full of legendary structures, peaceful gardens, and interesting galleries. In case you are thinking of visiting then it might be difficult to figure out where to begin. In this blog, we present some of the top Beijing tourist attractions and must-visit places and give useful advice in order to help you enjoy your adventure to the fullest.
1. The Forbidden City (Palace Museum)
Positioned within the Beijing Capital City, The Forbidden City was the former royal house of the Ming and Qing Empires of China. Highly spread across 180 acres, it has thousands of rooms richly designed and decorated with a number of treasures and art pieces. Visitors can also visit the Hall of Supreme Harmony, the Imperial Garden, and other lavish decorations that showcase the lifestyle of royalty in China.
This UNESCO World Heritage Site is a popular Beijing tourist spots among its visitors and showcases the lifestyle of Chinese emperors.
2. Tiananmen Square
Located next to the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square is one of the largest public squares in the world with immense political importance.This Beijing tourist attractions has served as a stage for major events in Chinese history and includes many other prominent sites such as:
- Mausoleum of Mao Zedong
- National Museum of China
- Monument to the People’s Heroes
This Beijing tourist attraction must be visited by everyone who are interested in the modern history of China. In addition, The square becomes especially atmospheric during national holidays and evening strolls.
3. The Summer Palace (Yiheyuan)
The Summer Palace is an immense outdoor garden that was used as a summer retreat by Chinese Emperors. It covers an area of 700 acres which includes Kunming Lake and Longevity Hill, with various pavilions, temples, and walking paths around.
People can ride on a boat on the lake, take a stroll along the Long Corridor, or appreciate the carved detail found on the Marble Boat. Being a serene place away from city life, it offers a refreshing change from the chaos of Beijing.
4. The Temple of Heaven (Tiantan Park)
The Temple of Heaven is an architectural wonder where the emperors engaged in worship rituals, pleading for ample harvests. The circular shape of the structure is to depict the relationship between the Earth and the sky.
Structures of Importance Include:
- Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests
- The Echo Wall is known for sound traveling over great distances.
- The Circular Mound Altar is where ceremonies were held during the winter solstice.
Also, most of the activities taking place at Tiantan Park involve practicing Taiwan’s martial arts (T’ai Chi Ch’uan), dancing, and even writing with a brush. This has enabled foreigners to experience Beijing’s way of life.
5. The Great Wall of China (Mutianyu & Badaling Sections)
No vacation in Beijing is considered complete without a tour of the Great Wall of China. This magnificent work of art extends to almost 13000 miles in total length, but it is only the Mutianyu and Badaling portions that are the closest to Beijing.
- Mutianyu Section: Relatively fewer visitors allowing better wild scenery and cable car service
- Badaling Section: Popular with tourists, offering well-maintained paths and infrastructure.
Both segments offer a wonderful hiking experience and stunning views of the mountains surrounding the Great Wall of China, thereby ranking it as one of the must-see Beijing tourist attractions.
6. Beihai Park
Located in the heart of the city, Beihai Park is one of the most beautiful and oldest imperial gardens in China that provides tranquility. Previously, it has been the emperor’s gardening easement, the park also consists of a beautiful lake with the White Pagoda Island in the middle of it for added beauty. People can rent out paddleboats, sightsee ancient temples and buildings, and watch the locals perform water Da Shu brush calligraphy.
Beihai Park is one of the among famous places to visit in Beijing, it is beautifully endowed with picturesque sites, talented cultural composition, and a serene atmosphere making it perfect for any kind of traveler.
7. Lama Temple (Yonghegong)
Lama Temple or Yonghegong it is one of the most important Tibetan temples outside the region of Tibet and also a gem and famous Beijing tourist attraction. The temple is also rich in magnificent architectural designs that mix the Han and Tibetan styles and have a lot of sacred structures. One of the many remarkable features is the massive 18m tall Maitreya Buddha made out of a single contoured piece of sandalwood.
Assured lively atmosphere allows visitors to the temple’s grand halls, enriching the spirit and admiring the breathtaking design. This temple is known especially for its great spiritual comfort and a peculiar outlook on Tibetan Buddhism – it is one of the essential places to visit in Beijing.
8. 798 Art District
Among the various Beijing tourist attractions, the 798 Art District is an attraction that should not be missed as it celebrates modern art and culture. This place has been converted from an industrial area into a creative one, filled with numerous art galleries, art studios, coffee shops, and even walls covered in graffiti. The old background of an industrial design center promotes the life of kinetic sculptures and installations, as well as modern patterns. There are also galleries with modern pictures, unusual objects, and painted walls that resemble one of the capital’s outrages.
No matter if you are a devoted artist or looking for something out of the ordinary, this Beijing tourist attraction, the 798 Art District will definitely be highly entertaining and active for all.
9. Hutongs (Traditional Alleyways)
The hutongs of Beijing are the traditional truth of the city enjoyed by many tourists within Beijing. Such narrow, old alleyways surrounded by old courtyard houses are meant to be walked about, soaked in the atmosphere, which is left around one’s early childhood.
Two famous areas to explore:
- Nanluoguxiang: attracts those who want to shop and party.
- Shichahai: Offers peaceful lakes and rickshaw rides.
They are ranked among the best Beijing tourist attractions for several visitors as they are interested in the local history and the rather slow way of life.
10. The Ming Tombs
Placed close to the Great Wall, the Ming Tombs are the burial sites for 13 emperors of the Ming Dynasty. The place features mountains in all directions, which creates a peaceful environment.
Visitors can visit the Dingling Tomb and explore this Beijing tourist attraction, an underground palace full of artifacts and treasures, as well as the Spirit Way, which is adorned with statues of animal and human figures.
Ming Tombs exhibit interesting aspects of Chinese funerary practices as well as the chronology of Chinese emperors.
11. Olympic Park (Bird’s Nest and Water Cube)
The Olympic Park, designed for the hosting of the 2008 Summer Olympics, is a contemporary architectural masterpiece. A couple of these structures stand tall and are entitled;
- Bird’s Nest Stadium: The architectural beauty of this stadium is one of the most stunning works of modern design, now it is used for several events and exhibitions.
- Water Cube: This served as a swimming pool, but has since been remodeled into a water theme park that is accessible to patrons.
The Olympic Park is well lit at night and this is perhaps why many people visit the place for evening walks and pictures.
Conclusion
With a rich historical past, Beijing is home to a variety of ancient structures, tranquil parks, and modern attractions. Be it the Forbidden Palace, the Great Wall, or art in the 798 art district, there is always somewhere to be in Beijing. The city is remarkable, especially considering there are both old and new in it.
Organize your itinerary rather meticulously in order to see the top Beijing tourist attractions. Whether it is wandering through the hutongs, going to the imperial palace, or learning about the local way of life, the Beijing tourist spots will surely leave a mark.