The largest central city square in the world, which serves not only as Beijing's symbol but also for the whole of China. This immense courtyard is the site of various historical events. The square is surrounded by a variety of significant edifices namely, the Chinese Revolution History Museum, the Mao Mausoleum, the Great Hall of the People, the elegant and beautiful Tiananmen (Heavenly Peace Gate) Tower, and the Qianmen (Front Gate).

The largest and the best-preserved Imperial Palace complex in the world. It once had 9,999 rooms, just a single room short of the number that ancient Chinese belief represents 'Divine Perfection' (many were desolated and now there are around 8,000 rooms).  It's surrounded by a moat six meters deep and a ten-meter high wall.  For five centuries, this palace functioned as the administrative center of the country as well as being the residence of emperors and empresses of the Yuan (1271 - 1368), Ming (1368 - 1644) and Qing (1644 - 1911) dynasties.

The highest point in Beijing City, was built in 1179 during the Jin Dynasty and has a history of more than 800 years. Inside Jingshan Park, an area of approximately 57 acres, is Jingshan Hill which rises to a height of 48 meters, and from its top visitors can see the entire city of Beijing. Jingshan Hill was built in 1420 during the Ming Dynasty.  On the summit of Jingshan Hill five scenery viewing pavilions were built, and from these the visitor can clearly see the layout of the Forbidden City.  This is a very popular park for local Chinese to gather and sing traditional songs, dance and exercise.

Bell Tower 12RMB/$1.55

Made of bricks and stone, is 48 meters high and also is two stories. On all four sides of the tower there is an arched door on the first floor. A stairway leads to the second floor. On the second floor there is also an arched door with a stone window framing each side. Right in the middle of the second floor is the big copper bell that tells the time. It is hung on a wooden framework. It is the heaviest bell in China. There is a round wooden peg that knocks the bell.

The telling time center during the Yuan, Ming and Qing Dynasties (1271-1911), located at Dongcheng District of Beijing, is a unique tourist attraction.  Drum Tower was initially built in 1272 during the Yuan Dynasty, was rebuilt in 1297 during the Yuan Dynasty and in 1420 and 1539, during the Ming Dynasty. The two-story structure was made of wood with a height of 47 meters. On its second floor there originally were 25 drums. Among them, there was one big drum and 24 smaller drums. Now, only the big drum is left. The drum is beaten four times a day, for 15 minutes at a time.

Designed to introduce the long history of the city of Beijing, display the great achievements of the modern urban planning and development, and exhibit the future of Beijing's urban development. The 16,000 square-meter floor space is distributed on 4 floor levels in the Hall, with 8,000 square meters for exhibits

The Summer Palace is the archetypal Chinese garden, and is ranked amongst the most noted and classical gardens of the world. In 1998, it was listed as one of the World Heritage Sites by UNESCO.  Composed mainly of Longevity Hill and Kunming Lake, The Summer Palace occupies an area of 294 hectares (726.5 acres), three quarters of which is water. Guided by nature, artists designed the gardens exquisitely so that visitors would see marvelous views and be amazed by perfect examples of refined craftwork using the finest materials.  Centered on the Tower of Buddhist Incense, the Summer Palace consists of over 3,000 structures including pavilions, towers, bridges, and corridors.

Initially built in the 10th century, it has a history of over a thousand years, including five dynasties, Liao, Jin, Yuan, Ming and Qing Dynasty (916--1911).  The Park has an area of more than 700,000 square meters, with a water area that covers more than half of the entire Park. At the center of this Park is an island called Qionghua Island (Qiong Island for short). The perimeter of the Island is 1,900 meters and its highest point is 32 meters. In the north area of the park is a big pool called Taiye Pool connecting the other two pools with each other.

Confucian Temple 10RMB/$1.29

The place where people paid homage to Confucius during the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368), Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) and Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). Now the temple houses the Beijing Capital Museum.  The Temple of Confucius was initially built in 1302 and additions were made during the Ming and Qing dynasties. It has a total area of 22,000 square meters (5.4 acres). It is the second largest temple constructed for Confucius, the greatest thinker and educationalist in ancient China, ranking only behind the Temple of Confucius in Qufu, Shandong Province.

Temple of Heaven 35RMB/$3.80 

The Temple was built in 1420 A.D. during the Ming Dynasty to offer sacrifice to Heaven. As Chinese emperors called themselves 'The Son of Heaven', they dared not to build their own dwelling, 'Forbidden City' bigger than a dwelling for Heaven.  The Temple of Heaven is enclosed with a long wall. The northern part within the wall is semicircular symbolizing the heavens and the southern part is square symbolizing the earth. The northern part is higher than the southern part. This design shows that the heaven is high and the earth is low and the design reflected an ancient Chinese thought of 'The heaven is round and the earth is square'.

The Old Summer Palace which is also known as the Ruins of the Yuanmingyuan (the Garden of Perfection and Light). The Garden was first constructed in the year 1709 during the reign of the Emperor Kangxi of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). Hundreds of scenic spots in the Garden are made up of exquisitely constructed halls, pavilions, chambers, kiosks, earth and rock hills, rivers and ponds, and exotic flowers and grasses from different parts of the country. Indeed, it embodies the essence of Chinese ancient landscape gardening.

The Beijing Botanical Garden is a 400 Hectare park close to XiangShan Park at the foot of the Western Fragrant Hills. The Botanical Garden contains the WoFoSi (Sleeping Buddha) temple and was established in 1955.

The park was first built in 1186 in the Jin Dynasty (1115-1234) and later extended to a large scale in the Yuan and Ming dynasties. In 1745, Emperor Qianlong (1711-1799) ordered the addition of many new halls, pavilions and gardens and gave it a new name, Jingyi Garden (Garden of Tranquility and Pleasure). Unfortunately, in 1860 and 1900 after the Summer Palace and the Yuanming Yuan (the Old Summer Palace) were set on fire, lots of relics in the Fragrant Hills were damaged by foreign troops. Since 1949, with a half-century's restoration and development by Chinese government, Fragrant Hills Park has been recognized as one of the ten most famous parks in Beijing.

The 'Eight Great Sites' park, refers to the eight Buddhist temples and monasteries scattered across Cuiwei, Pingpo and Lushi hills at the foot of Beijing's Western Hills Scenic Area. Located along the outskirts of Beijing, it was restored during the 1980's and has since become a famous tourist destination. There are a total of eight former Buddhist temples and monasteries in Badachu Park. Including the Temple of Eternal Peace (Chang'ansi), the Temple of Divine Light (Lingguangsi), Three-hill Nunnery (Sanshan'an), the Temple of Great Mercy (Dabeisi), Dragon Spring Nunnery and the Temple of Fragrant World.

Elegant and ancient temple known as the Yonghe Lamasery, which is the largest and most perfectly preserved lamasery in present day China.  Built initially in 1694 during the Qing Dynasty, this building was the residence of Emperor Yongzheng when he was just a prince. However, in 1744 the Qing Dynasty formally changed the status of the dwelling to that of a lamasery, and so Yonghe Lamasery became the national centre of Lama administration.

Near the Badaling section of the Great wall, so certainly worth going if you go to Badaling  (see below).  The mausoleums of 13 emperors of the Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644). The mausoleums have been perfectly preserved, as has the necropolis of each of the many emperors. Because of its long history, palatial and integrated architecture, the site has a high cultural and historic value. The layout and arrangement of all thirteen mausoleums are very similar but vary in size as well as in the complexity of their structures.

Most tourists visit this section of the wall because it is the closest and best restored part of the great wall.  However it is also the most crowded.  There is also a cable car (50 RMB). 

For those who have limited time.

Or for those who want to see a few other places while there such as the Ming Tombs and Sacred way.

Steps are easier than Badaling, there is a cable car up (35 RMB) and a toboggan (55 RMB) or cable car down (50 RMB return trip).  Also good for those who want a challenge because you can walk all the way to the left, then all the way to the right.

For those with children or those who do not want to commit to walking for a long distance.

Perhaps the best option if you have the time and energy (to walk one direction for 3-4 hours).  Absolutely beautiful, some areas are really badly damaged, there are bridges and rivers and usually not many people.

If you have the time and energy.

Starts at 19:30, The Red Theatre, 44 Xingfu Daije, Chongwen District (6714 2473)

Performances start at 17:15 and 19:15

Performances run from 19:30 to 20:40

Go to the Summer Palace, you can really spend all day here.  The old summer palace is very close so it's probably worth a look if you have the time.  There's a fun maze there and the whole park looks very out of place in Beijing.  Opposite is a nice restaurant with a tea shop where you can try a variety of traditional Chinese tea. 

Visit the Great wall.  Have a look at the three areas that we suggest above (Badaling, Mutianyu and Simatai).

If you want to see a few more different temples go to the Lama Temple, then the nearby Confucian temple have some lunch before finishing your day at the Temple of heaven.

Head back to Tiananmen Square, take a look at the Beijing Planning exhibition and possibly one of the Museums surrounding the square.

You can then head to Wangfujing or Silk Street for some shopping.

Climb Fragrant Mountain (or take the cable car) then look around the botanical gardens before heading over to Badachu park if you still have time and energy.

Taxis are very cheap and convenient.  Most of the attractions are very central (around 10RMB/$1.29 to 25RMB/$3.23 ).  The longest rides will be to the Summer Palace and Fragrant Mountain or Badachu park (less than  60RMB/$7.60).  You can rent a taxi for the day for 8 hours (400RMB/$51.60).  However this is not recommended as there is no real benefit and parking can be problem.  The same goes for renting a car (also double or triple the cost of renting a taxi for the day).

Larger vehicles: If you require a larger rental vehicle, we can arrange this for you or you can book it through your hotel.  However we strongly suggest using taxis (use 2 taxis if you need to).