 The
Great Wall: The Great Wall of China is a true
wonder of the world and an absolute must-see for any visitor
to this wonderful country. The combined sections snake a staggering
15,000 kilometers along the whole northern forties of the ancient
Chinese kingdom, from the shores of the Bo Hai ( Bo Sea) on
the east to the desert of Xinjiang.
Construction of the Great Wall first began in the seventh century
BC, during an era known as the Spring and Autumn Warring States
Period (770-465 BC). In 221 BC, after defeating other warring
kingdoms, Qin Shihuang unified China for the first time under
the Qin Dynasty. As the first emperor, he began his Great Wall
project by linking separate wall sections already built by different
kingdoms to ward off enemies. It took ten years to connect all
the different sections. When it was finished, in 206 BC, the
Great Wall was more than 5,000 kilometers long.
Subsequent dynasties added to and rebuilt sections to create
the wall remains that we can see today. The sections to the
north of Beijing were constructed, for the most part, under
the relatively recent Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). In 1987 the
Great Wall was listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site and
preservation work on significant portions of the wall continue
through today.Details for four key sections of the wall near
Beijing area:
Badaling Section of the Great Wall
Address: Yanqing Country
Time: 7:30 a.m - 5 p.m
Ticket: 45 yuan ( April 1- October 31)
Transport: take 919 from Deshengmen Long Distance Bus Station,
500 meters east of Jishuitan Subway Station. Buses depart every
half hour from 5:50 a.m and return form Badaling until 6:30
p.m. the trip takes on-two hours.
Mutianyu Section of the Great Wall
Address: Mutianyucun, Huairou District
Time: 7:30 a.m - 6 p.m
Ticket: 40 yuan
Transport: take 916 from Dongzhimen Long Distance Bus Station,
100 meters east of Dongzhimen Subway Station Exit D, then walk
150 meters to the left. Buses depart from 5:20 a.m and return
until 6:30 p.m. the trip takes two-three hours.
Simatai Section of the Great Wall
Address: Vubeikouzhen, Miyun Country
Time: 8 a.m - 5 p.m
Ticket: 40 yuan
Transport: take 980 from Dongzhimen Long Distance Bus Station,
100 meters east of Dongzhimen Subway Station Exit D, then walk
150 meters to the left. Buses depart from 6 a.m and return until
7 p.m. The trip takes two ¨C three hours.
Juyongguan Section of the Great Wall
Address: Nankouzhen, Changping District
Time: 8 a.m - 5 p.m
Ticket: 45 yuan
Transport: take 919 from Deshengmen Long Distance Bus Station,
500 meters east of Jishuitan Subway Station. Arrive Nankou Town
Bus Stop and take a small bus to Juyongguan Great Wall. Buses
depart from 5:50 a.m and return until 6:30 p.m. The trip takes
two-three hours.
 The
Forbidden City:Located in the very centre of
Beijing, Forbidden City is China largest and bes-preserved set
of ancient building. In 1406, during the reign of the third
Ming emperor, Yong Le, largest-scale construction of the Forbidden
City began. Construction took 14 years to complete. In 1421,
after a renovation of the Grand Canal, the capital of the Ming
Dynasty was officially moved from Nanjing to Beijing. For 491
years, spanning two dynasties and 24 emperors, the complex served
as the Imperial Palace. In 1925, it was converted into the Palace
Museum and was opened to the public.
The Forbidden City is divided into two main parts: the Outer
Court and the Inner Palace. The Outer Court consists of three
main buildings where the emperors attended grand ceremonies
and conducted state affairs. The Inner Palace is where the emperor
conducted his daily affairs,alongside his living quarters and
those of the empress and the imperial concubines.
The Forbidden City is the best-preserved imperial palace in
China and the largest ancient palatial structure in the world.
In 1987, it was listed as a UNESCO (United Nations Educational,
Scientific, and Cultural Organization) World Cultural Heritage
Site. The Palace Museum holds a great number of historical and
cultural relics as well as many precious works of art.
Address: 4, Jingshan Qianjie, Dongcheng District
Time: 8:30 a.m - 4 p.m (April 16-ctober 15)
8:30 a.m - 3: 30 p.m (October 16- April 15)
Ticket: 40 yuan ( November 1- March 31)
60 yuan ( April 1- October 31)
Transport: Subway line 1, Tiananmen Xi (West) or Tiananmen Dong
(East) Station
 Yonghegong
lama temple:The Yonghegong Lamasery ( Lama Temple)
is probably the most prominent and colorful temple in Beijing.
At one time it was the official residence of Count Yin Zhen,
a Chinese emperor during the Oing Dynasty (1644 -1911). When
he became emperor in 1723, the temple colours were transformed
from green (representing Buddhism) to Imperial yellow ( a colour
that could only be used by the emperors of China). Now a working
lamasery, it has three spectacular archways and five main halls,
all featuring courtyards and galleries. Keep an eye out for
the 18-meter high Buddha in Wanfu Pavilion, which was carved
froum a single piece of sandalwood. Address: 12 Yonghegong Dajie,
Dongcheng District
Time: 9 a.m - 4:30 p.m
Ticket: 25 yuan
Transport: Subway Line 2, Yonghegong ( Lama temple) Station
 Temple
of Heaven: The Temple of Heaven is an historic
and sprawling complex located in southern Beijing. It was first
built in 1420 during the Ming Dynasty. Lying south of Tiananmen
Square and the Forbidden City, the park circular Hall of Prayer
for Good Harvests has become as much a symbol of the city as
any celebrated landmark in the world. The Temple of Heaven was
a sacred place in the minds of the ancient Chinese people. They
believed that it was the place to convey wishes to heaven.
The crowning glory of the park, the Hall of Prayer for Good
Harvests was also first built in 1420. It is a cone-shaped wooden
structure with triple eaves and a gilded ball on the top, a
symbol of the supreme power of the emperor. The roof of the
building is covered with dark blue glazed tiles to represent
the colour of the sky. This special Chinese style building is
splendid in its external appearance, but its inner frame is
also distinctive. The circular wooden structure is wholly make
of wood without the use of a single nail or cement. The entire
structure is supported by 28 massive wooden pillars, which symbolize
28 constellations in the sky.
In 1998, it was listed as a UNESCO world Cultural Heritage Site.
Address: A1, Tiantan Beilu, Chongwen District
Time: 6 a.m - 8 p.m
Ticket: 15 yuan (April 1- October 31)
Ticket: 10 yuan (November -1 March 31)
Transport: take Subway Line 2 and get off at Chongwen Station,
then take a taxi for 10 yuan.
 Summer
Palace:The vast imperial playground of the Summer
Palace was where the regal court went to escape the oppressive
heat of summer. It is now a wonderful public park where local
residents and visitors can stroll, relax and bask in China¡¯s
ancient cultural legacy. The area has served as a royal summer
home since the Jin Dynasty; however, it attained its current
configuration when Qing Emperor Qianlong remodeled it for his
mother in 1750. Though heavily visited, the park is largest
enough to allow people to find their own places to relax on
the grounds, their own little piece of tranquility. Enjoy wandering
the ancient parks¡¯ pathways and avenues that were once reserved
for the sole use of emperors and their coteries.
Address: 19 Xinjian Gongmen, Haidian District.
Time: 7 a.m - 5 p.m ( April 1- October 31)
Time: 6:30 a.m - 6 p.m (November 1 ¨C March 31)
Ticket: 30 yuan (gate ticket), 60 yuan ( all-inclusive ticket)
Transport: take Subway line 2 and get off at Xizhimen Station,
then take a taxi for about 40 yuan, or buses 330, 332, 333,
346, 726,810 etc
 Ming
Tombs:The Ming Tombs, located in a picturesque
valley of rolling hills and orchards north of urban Beijing,
were built by Ming emperors ( the Ming Dynasty lasted 276 years
from 1368 to 1644) in an attempt to achieve a swift transition
to the afterlife. Thirteen emperors, 23 empresses, and many
imperial concubines, princes and princesses were buried in the
tombs in simple but stately chambers. An impressive marble archway
and a seven-kilometer road, known as the Sacred Way, show the
way to the burial complex. Sculpted ¡°guards¡±, a set of 12 animals,
line the road.
The first tombs were uncovered in 1958; in 2003, the site was
recognized as UNESCO World Heritage Site. Address: South of
TIanshouhan, 50 km northwest of Beijing, Changping District
Time: 8 a.m - 5 p.m ( April 1- October 31)
Time: 8:30 a.m - 4:30 p.m (November 1- March 31)
Ticket: Changling Tomb: 45 yuan (April 1- October 31)
Ticket: Dingling Tomb: 56 yuan (April 1- October 31)
Ticket: Zhongling Tomb: 30 yuan (April 1- October 31)
Ticket: Sacred Path: 30 yuan (April 1- October 31)
Transport: take 919 from Deshengmen Long Distance Bus Station,
500 meters east of Jishuitan Subway Station. Arrival at Changping
North Station and take 314 to Dingling Tomb, Changling Tomb,
Sacred Path.
 Yuanmignyuan
Park( Old Summer Palace):The Yuanmingyuan
Park is located in Northwest Beijing. It is a masterpiece
of royal gardens in China and is known worldwide as a famous
scenic spot. It was extolled as the Garden of Gardens and
the Versailles of the East during its heyday. It was an imperial
summer resort painstakingly built and repeatedly expanded
under the personal supervision of five emperors of the Qing
Dynasty.
Address: 28, Qinghua Xilu, Haidian District
Time: 7 a.m - 9 p.m ( April 1 - October 31)
Time: 7 a.m - 5:30 p.m (November 1- March 31)
Ticket: 10 yuan
Transport: Buses 320, 365, 375, 722, 825
Badachu Park (The Eight Great Temples in the Western Hills):
Badachu Park is located 17 kilometers form Beijing outskirts.
There are eight temples and shrines scattered among the Western
Hills. Badachu Park covers 332 hectares; its highest peak
juts 464 meters into the sky. It was among the first national
key units of cultural relics for preservation in the city
Address: Badachu, Shijingshan District
Time: 5:30 a.m - 8 p.m
Ticket: 10 yuan
Transport: Buses 347, 389, 662, 972
 Chinese
Ethnic Culture Park (China Nationalities Museum):the
Chinese Ethnic Cultural Park is a collection in miniature
of the country nationalities culture. Tourists can visit the
traditional buildings of Chinese minorities and the beautiful
scenery that surrounds them. Tourists may also watch performances
featuring the national characteristics of the country people
and get a taste of their lives in different parts of China.
Address: Opposite the West Gate of the National Olympic
Sports Center, Chaoyang District
Time: 8 a.m - 7 p.m
Ticket: 60 yuan for each garden, 90 yuan for both gardens
Transport: Buses 55, 386, 407, 740, 804, 819
Tiananmen Square:Tiananmen
Square is the heart of Beijing and is the largest public square
in the world. The 44-hectare Tiananmen Square is 500 meters
wide, 800 meters long and the ground is paved with specially
treated light granite slate. The flag-raising ceremony at
sunset is the most magnificent rites. The Monument to the
People Heroes and Chairman Mao Mausoleum stand on the southern
end of the square and are popular sites to visit.
Transport take buses No. 1, 2, 4, 5, 10, 20, 22, 52, 57, 120,
802 or the Beijing Subway lines 1 or 2 and get off at the
Tiananmen or Qianmen stops.
Shichahai Hutong and siheyuan:Shichahai
is a famous scenic area that includes three lakes (Qian Hai,
meaning Front Sea; Hou Hai, meaning Back Sea and Xihai, meaning
Western Sea), surrounding places of historic interest and
scenic beauty, and remnants of old-style Beijing residences,
Hutong and Siheyuan (courtyard homes). It is located northwest
of the Forbidden City and is always a good place for local
Beijingers to relax and enjoy their lives. It is easy to find
locals boating in the summer and skating in the winter. The
history of Shichahai can be tracked to the Jin Dynasty (1115-1234).
It is one of the best places in China to view well-preserved
Hutong and Siheyuan. Visiting Hutong by Pedi-cab is a popular
activity for visitors from China and abroad.
The word Hutong originates from the Mongolian word Hottog
which means well There are about 3,000 Beijing Hutong, the
most famous two Hutong areas are Shichahai and Nanluoguxiang
at Jiaodaokou.
Palaces of princes and princesses, former residences of the
celebrities in the 20th century as well as dwellings for ordinary
citizens are the major attractions at Shichahai. The nearby
Drum and Bell towers, and the Deshengmeng Watch Tower are
also frequently visited.
Since 2003, more than 40 bars, caf and restaurants have opened
in Shichahai, making it one of the most popular areas for
dinning and relaxation in the capital.
Visit Shichahai and experience the authentic taste of the
style and features of old Beijing.
 Confucius
Temple:Confucius (Kongzi) (551-479 BC), who
also bore the names Qiu and Zhongni, is acknowledged as ancient
China greatest thinker and philosopher. Confucianism remains
an important aspect of traditional Chinese culture today.
Located at eh junction of Ancient Culture and Imperial College
streets, the 700-year-old, 22,000-sq.m temple was a sacrificial
site for emperors of the Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties. Visitors
can view the temples relics from the compounds grand buildings.
Among them is the Jinshi Inscription Stele, artifacts relating
to the Chinese Imperial Examination System, and what is known
as the Three Scriptures Stele Forest. In 1988, the temple
was designed a site of historical importance under the guidelines
of the National Relics Protection Unit.
Address: 13 Guozijian Jie, Dongcheng District
Time: 8:30 a.m - 5 p.m
Ticket: 10 yuan
Transport: take Subway line 2 and get off at Yonghegong Station
or Buses 13, 18, 44, 62, 104, 108, 116, 406, 807
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