Tours

Touring this ancient city is one way to transport back in time as well as experience the transformation of modern Beijing.

The Great Wall

Without a doubt, the Great Wall is one of the most amazing structures ever built. Seen from a distance, the Wall is an awesome spectacle, snaking across the hills of northern China seemingly without end. The Wall stretches from Shan Hai Guan Pass on the east coast to the Jia Yu Guan Pass in the Gobi Desert, far to the west. Originally built 2,000 years ago during the Qin Dynasty (221-207 BC), the Wall was designed to keep out foreign invaders—in which capacity it succeeded at times and failed at others. Constructed with beacon towers, it also served as an enemy alert system by using smoke systems to warn of approaching enemies. In peacetime, the Wall has proved useful as a highway, transporting people and supplies over large distances. Most stretches of the Wall close to Beijing were rebuilt or fortified during the Ming Dynasty. Of the eight sites of the Great Wall, there are four sections near Beijing open to tourists: Badaling, Mutianyu, Huanghuacheng and Simatai. The majority of visitors see Badaling, which at 70 kilometers (44 miles) is relatively close to the city. Restored in 1957, Badaling is the most commercial section of the Wall and comes with such modern conveniences as restaurants and a cinema. Here you can also visit the Great Wall Museum to acquaint yourself more with this historical marvel. Mutianyu, 90 kilometers (55 miles) from Beijing, is the second site of the wall open to tourists and is also fairly commercial. For those who want to see the Great Wall in an unspoiled state, Simatai is the place to go. You can spend an enjoyable day hiking there and the site is quieter and less crowded than Badaling or Mutianyu. Although both peaceful and beautiful, Simatai is also a physical challenge. Some parts of the wall are very steep and can be dangerous so it is best not to go alone. Wear sturdy shoes and keep your hands free.

Forbidden City (Gu Gong)

Home to two dynasties, the Ming and the Qing, the Forbidden City was constructed in the 15th century, and was home to about 24 emperors. Under the reign of Yong Le of the Ming Dynasty, the construction of the Imperial Palace complex required the effort of a million laborers. Most of the buildings have been rebuilt or restored as the originals were destroyed during the tumultuous events of recent Chinese history. Many people choose to join the tours that start at Tiananmen Gate. Others sign up for the self guided audio tour. Located inside is the Palace Museum, where you will see various grand temples and halls but the main highlights are the Three Great Halls and the Hall of Supreme Harmony. The latter hall was traditionally the most important structure used for imperial ceremonies such as the Emperor's birthday. Immediately surrounding the outer walls of the Forbidden city to the north and west are two ancient parks. Zhong Shan Park to the west offers paddle boats for hire, which make a fun way to view the outer walls of the palace from its former moat. Behind the palace is Jing Shan Park and Bei Hai Park. Jing Shan was created as a quarry for stone during the construction of the palace and now serves as a peaceful outdoor retreat for Beijingers. It is also the site where the Ming Dynasty came to an end. Bei Hai holds some incredible traditional gardens and the Mao Ying White Stupa, constructed in part by Genghis Khan's tolerance for many faiths. On an island within the park is the famous Fangshan Restaurant, where Empress Dowager Ci Xi once enjoyed 112 course meals. Mere mortals and tourists can try out imperial style cuisine in the opulent halls if they make reservations. Continuing through Bei Hai Park it is possible to walk to Hou Hai lake district's Lotus Lane. Or, if you have not yet gotten a sense of Old Beijing, head to the Beijing Museum of Ancient Architecture, which elaborates on the the achievements of the tradition of unique Chinese architecture. Highly recommended is a visit to the beautiful Courtyard Restaurant, within view of the palace's east entrance. The Wang Fu Jing Shopping District is a short walk up Riverside Street from here.

Tiananmen Square

Directly in front of Tiananmen Gate, the traditional entrance to the Forbidden City, symbol of China's ancient past, is Tiananmen Square, a more fitting symbol to China's recent history. It was from the Tiananmen Gate the Mao Ze Dong declared the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1, 1949. The square was designed as a military parade ground, similar to Red Square in Moscow. In the center of the square is the Monument to the People's Heroes, with representations of the workers, laborers, soldiers and farmers who participated in the revolution. To the east of the square is the Great Hall of the People where the Communist Party Politburo meets. Mao's Mausoleum is also located within the square, where the Great Helmsman's body lays on display, dimly lit in a crystal coffin. Directly behind the Mausoleum is the ancient Zheng Yang Men Gate and across the street is Qian Men. These two gates were the original entrance to the now gone cloistered warren that surrounded the Forbidden City, filled with servants to the court. Continue walking passed the recently renovated Qian Men and enter Beijing's oldest shopping district, Qian Men Walking Street, which received a face lift shortly before the 2008 Olympics. Some of Beijing's oldest shops and well reputed restaurants are found here. Particularly of note are the tea shops.

Temple of Heaven (Tian Tan)

The Temple of Heaven was built during the Ming Dynasty and was considered sacred until the end of the dynastic era. The Emperor would perform ceremonial rites to the gods here to ensure a good harvest. This place is also remarkable for its outstanding architecture and is located within the grounds of the Beijing Museum of Ancient Architecture and the Beijing Museum of Natural History. The upper parts of the temples are circular while the bases are square (reflecting the traditional Chinese belief that heaven is round and the earth square). Next venture to the most significant Tibetan Buddhist temple outside Tibet itself, is the Lama Temple, a beautiful structure containing a massive statue of Buddha carved from sandalwood (the largest such statue in the world). This temple has a rich and turbulent history, having survived wars, uprisings and rebellions. Declared as a historical relic in 1949, the building escaped the Cultural Revolution without a scratch. There are five "must see" halls in total: Lokapala, Yong He Dian, Yong You Dian, the Hall of the Wheel of Law, and Wan Fu Pavilion. After walking through the temple complex, head over to Vineyard Cafe  to enjoy their courtyard dining room and their wood fired pizza. If you are still in the mood to stretch your legs, head over to Di Tan Park, a less visited park created around the alter the emperor of China once used to pray for good harvests and especially pleasant in the late afternoon.

Beijing's Hutongs

Districts of historical architecture were preserved in the preparations for Beijing's 2008 Olympics. Located at the city center, these intricate alleyways wind around classic courtyard houses, called siheyuan. The most visited of these neighborhoods lies between Hou Hai and the Lama Temple. While exploring on foot can lead to exciting discoveries, bicycle rickshaw tours are also available. The Former Residences of Soong Ching Ling, wife of Sun Yat-sen, Twentieth Century writers Mao Dun and Lao She have all been preserved for visitors. The former residence of Mei Lanfang, most recognized Peking Opera singer in the West, has been turned into the decadent restaurant Mei Mansion. Tiny shops, beautiful embellishments at gates and many other surprises await the traveler to these tiny lanes too small to fit a car through. The street facing Qian Hai is called Lotus Lane. Several bars and restaurants are located here and the nightlife is vibrant. Walk along here, then pass over a foot bridge at Xiao Shi Bei and walk along the narrow ancient street Yan Dai Xie to find some revolution era souvenirs and plenty to point your camera at. From Yan Dai Xie turn left onto Di'an Men Wai Street and walk up to the Drum Tower and its nearby companion the Bell Tower. Around sunset the swallows that were once ubiquitous around Beijing can be seen flying up to nest here. After all that walking, hop in a cab and head to the Pass By Bar to treat yourself to a lovely courtyard meal.

Scenic cruises throughout Beijing will leave you wishing your visit was longer. With so much to see and do, try one of the various tour companies to fulfill your stay in Beijing.

Bus Tours

Beijing Join In Bus Tour ( +86 10 51660915 25/ http://www.beijingimpression.com/bus.htm/ )

Beijing eTours Travel Service ( +0 086 10 67160201/ http://beijing.etours.cn/tours/beijing_bus_tours/ )

Boat Tours

Tour Beijing ( +00 86 10 6716 0201/ http://www.tour-beijing.com/ )

Sinoway Travel ( +1 415 287 0878/ http://www.chinadiscover.net/china-tour/beijingguide/beijing-boattour.htm/ )

Train Tours

Travel China Guide ( +86 29 8523 6688/ http://www.travelchinaguide.com/package/beijing.htm/ )

China Highlights ( +1 800 268 2918/ http://www.chinahighlights.com/tour/cht-29a/ )

Culinary Tour

Beijing Culinary Tour ( +1 800 773 0862/ http://www.chinaodysseytours.com/tour_beijing.html/ )