Beijing is the capital of the great People's Republic of China. With around 16 million people living in this huge metropolitan's area, Beijing is the second largest city in China. It is an ancient city with human traces that go as far back as 250,000 ago, and yet today it is packed with tall apartment buildings and modern shopping malls.
Beijing plays a central role in China's history. It is a collection of cultural treasures gathered through many centuries and bares the mark of many wars, political upheavals and romantic tales from past ages. Practically every palace, shrine, gate or wall in the city has some historical, archeological or national significance.
Places to See in Beijing
The famous and infamous Tiananmen Square Area offers many attractions. The square itself is very impressive, more so because of her well-known history, and each morning at sunrise travelers who will manage to leave their beds on time can watch the flag rising. Nearby you can find (among others) the Great Hall of the People, the fascinating National Museum of China, and of course -the Mausoleum of Chairman Mao Zedong.
A visit to Beijing cannot be completed without a day visit to the ancient Chinese imperial palace, known better by its name - "The Forbidden City". For close to 5 centuries the emperors of China lived in this winter palace and it has served as the one true political and economical center of the whole country. With 980 preserved buildings, the Forbidden City is the biggest surviving palace complex in the world. However, visitors to the palace need to be aware of the fact that it is constantly under constructions and some of the great wholes are shut for visitors. This does not diminish from the place's beauty or enormity and there is still much to see.
In China things are built with magnitude, and the Parks in Beijing are simply another proof of that. A good example of this last statement is the prominent Beihai Park, an imperial garden from the 10th century AC, located northwest of the Forbidden City. Within this incredible garden, tourists will find many treasures. Apart from the breathtaking lake, designed gardening and architectural masterworks, this huge complex holds several beautiful ancient temples and grand palaces. Other notable parks worth visiting are Zhongshan, Shichahai, Houhai, Zhongnanhai and Jingshan.
The city of Beijing has many magical temples and a traveler may enjoy visiting some of the better-known or less-known ones. Some of the famous ones include the stunning Temple of Heaven, Miaoying Temple, White Cloud Temple, Temple of Earth (Ditian) and the twin structures - the Temple of the Sun (Ritan) and Temple of the Moon (Yuetan). But there are of course many other options.
Another site worth visiting is the Imperial Tombs of the Ming and Qing Dynasties. They have several impressive tombs and ancient burial complexes.
There is almost no need to mention The Great Wall of China - which is a short travel distance from Beijing. The different sections of the wall feature different styles and give very different impressions, so perhaps you should spend some time choosing the part of the wall that you'd enjoy most.
Beijing is full of modern malls and stores, but if you're seeking authentic shopping and exotic shops, there are some fascinating options. The pearl market is open from 8:30 to 19:00 and committed shoppers who enjoy bargaining will find there a huge assortment of jewelry, clothing and even electronics. The Xiushui Silk Market specializes in fabrics and clothing and offers everything from delicate real silk to fake designer outfits.
