Scenes from the Summer Palace 頤和園 in Beijing

Summer residence of the emperors from the mid-Ming to Qing dynasties.

Now a delightful public park / museum and a UNESCO World Heritage site.

[640],shadow=true,start=30,stop=

Beijing, the capital city of China, is a vibrant metropolis steeped in history, culture, and modernity. Here's a brief overview of what you can expect as a tourist in Beijing:

Historical Landmarks:
The Great Wall of China: One of the most iconic structures in the world, the Great Wall is easily accessible from Beijing. Mutianyu and Badaling sections are popular among tourists.

Forbidden City (Palace Museum): A UNESCO World Heritage Site, this vast imperial palace complex was home to Chinese emperors for over 500 years. It houses numerous halls, courtyards, and historical artifacts.

Temple of Heaven: A masterpiece of Chinese architecture, this ancient temple complex served as a place of worship for emperors to pray for good harvests.

Summer Palace: A stunning ensemble of lakes, gardens, and palaces, the Summer Palace served as a retreat for emperors during the Qing dynasty.

Tiananmen Square: One of the largest city squares in the world, Tiananmen Square is flanked by important landmarks such as the Monument to the People's Heroes, the Great Hall of the People, and the Mausoleum of Mao Zedong.

Cultural Sites:
Beijing Hutongs: Explore the narrow alleyways and traditional courtyard residences of Beijing's historic neighborhoods. You can take a rickshaw tour or simply wander around on foot.

Beijing Opera: Experience traditional Chinese opera performances at venues like the Liyuan Theater or the Chang'an Grand Theatre.

798 Art District: A hub of contemporary art and culture, this former industrial area is now home to numerous galleries, studios, and cafes.

Modern Attractions:
Olympic Park: Visit iconic structures such as the Bird's Nest (National Stadium) and the Water Cube (National Aquatics Center) from the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

CBD (Central Business District): Marvel at the futuristic skyline of Beijing's modern business district, which includes landmarks like the CCTV Headquarters and the China World Trade Center Tower III.

Culinary Delights:
Peking Duck: Indulge in Beijing's most famous dish, crispy roast duck served with pancakes, scallions, and hoisin sauce.

Street Food: Explore the city's vibrant street food scene and sample local delicacies like jianbing (savory crepes), lamb skewers, and dumplings.

Practical Tips:
Transportation: Beijing has an extensive public transportation system, including the subway, buses, and taxis. However, traffic can be heavy, so plan your travels accordingly.

Language: While English is not widely spoken, especially outside tourist areas, many signs and transportation announcements are in English. It's helpful to carry a translation app or a phrasebook.

Weather: Beijing experiences four distinct seasons, with hot summers and cold winters. The best times to visit are spring (April to June) and autumn (September to October) when the weather is mild and comfortable.

Etiquette: Respect local customs and traditions, such as removing your shoes before entering someone's home and using both hands to pass or receive items.

Beijing offers a rich tapestry of experiences for tourists, blending ancient heritage with modern innovations. Whether you're fascinated by history, culture, or culinary delights, there's something for everyone in this dynamic city.

Related Videos

 

Featured Videos

XinJiang – the real truth …
With Angelo Giuliano and Brian Berletic. They also discuss China's infrastructure and the development of XinJiang, Tibet, etc. ... In depth ... The West likes to trumpet 'individualism' - but is this really for the elite to divide the people, an excuse for the lack of infrastructure, and that if one is poor, it is your fault ? Compared to China's development and poverty alleviation, what has the West achieved over recent decades ? There are around 200,000 Chinese students in UK alone. China has 120 million outbound overseas tourists each year. There are 850,000 expats living and working in China. XiaoMi sells more smart phones than Apple. Etc. - Reality versus fake news. As for Western MSM, the more ridiculous the bias, the more obvious it becomes. In China, the people are family; in the West, the people are merely livestock.
The beautiful Humble Administrator’s Garden in SuZhou, JiangSu province
With Lulu's Daily In China ... Humble Administrator's Garden Visitor Guide Overview The Humble Administrator's Garden, located in SuZhou, JiangSu province, is one of the most famous classical gardens in China. Built in the early 16th century during the Ming Dynasty, this garden is a masterpiece of Chinese landscape design, featuring beautiful pavilions, serene ponds, lush greenery, and exquisite rock formations. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a must-visit destination for anyone interested in traditional Chinese garden art. History The garden was originally created by Wang XianChen, a retired government official, who sought to design a peaceful retreat for himself. Over the centuries, the garden changed hands multiple times, undergoing various renovations and expansions. Despite these changes, the garden has retained its original layout and classical elements, reflecting the aesthetics and philosophical principles of traditional Chinese gardens. Main Attractions Central Garden The Central Garden is the heart of the Humble Administrator's Garden, featuring a large pond surrounded by lush plants, winding paths, and elegant pavilions. Key highlights include: Lotus Pavilion: A beautiful structure overlooking the pond, offering a tranquil spot to enjoy the view of blooming lotus flowers in summer. Hall of Distant Fragrance: Named after the lotus flowers whose fragrance can be smelled from afar, this hall is one of the garden's main buildings, known for its elegant design. Eastern Garden The Eastern Garden features a series of smaller ponds, rockeries, and pavilions, creating a more intimate and secluded atmosphere. Notable features include: Small Flying Rainbow Bridge: A charming stone bridge that arches gracefully over a small pond. Hall of 36 Mandarin Ducks: Named after the mandarin ducks often seen in Chinese art, this hall offers picturesque views of the surrounding landscape. Western Garden The Western Garden is characterized by its open spaces and carefully arranged rockeries and plantings. Highlights include: Hall of the Thirty-Six Mandarin Ducks: Featuring beautiful carvings and a serene ambiance. GuanYun Peak: A striking rock formation representing a mountain peak, showcasing the garden's sophisticated use of stones. Architecture and Design The Humble Administrator's Garden exemplifies the principles of traditional Chinese garden design, which seeks to create harmony between nature and human-made structures. The garden's architecture and layout incorporate the following elements: Water Features: Ponds and streams are central to the garden's design, reflecting the sky and surrounding plants, and adding a sense of tranquility. Rockeries: Carefully arranged rocks and rock formations symbolize mountains and add a dynamic visual element to the landscape. Pavilions and Halls: These structures provide spaces for relaxation and contemplation, offering various perspectives of the garden. Plantings: A diverse array of plants, including bamboo, lotus, and seasonal flowers, enhance the garden's beauty and symbolize different virtues and qualities. Visiting Tips Best Time to Visit: The garden is beautiful year-round, but spring and summer are particularly lovely when flowers are in bloom. Autumn offers stunning foliage, and winter provides a peaceful, serene atmosphere. Opening Hours: The garden is open daily from 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM (hours may vary seasonally). Getting There: The garden is located in the heart of SuZhou and is easily accessible by public transportation or taxi. The nearest metro station is Lindun Road Station (Line 1). Guided Tours: Consider hiring a local guide or joining a guided tour to gain deeper insights into the garden's history, architecture, and cultural significance. Photography: The garden offers countless photo opportunities. Be sure to bring your camera and take your time capturing the beauty of the landscape. Respect the Environment: Help preserve the garden by not picking flowers, climbing on rocks, or littering. Respect the tranquility of the space and other visitors.
Happy New Year – 2019 – from BeiJingBuzzz
Wishing everyone a very happy 2019 - BeiJingBuzzz. Live more !! Please donate, we really need your help to keep going and to make this site even better - thank you from Panda88 and all the BeijingBuzzz team ...
ShangHai 上海 Special 1
PuDong CBD, LuJiaZui 浦東:陸家嘴 XinTianDi 新天地 YuYuan 豫園 NanJing Road 南京東 TianZiFang 田子坊
FunFancie’s ShangHai
Martin Jacques on China’s rise / return
In China, the people are family. In the West, the people are merely livestock. As simple as that. As profound as that. Competence and success is the real 'threat'. The old colonial powers are less than 10% of the world's population, yet still clamber to be its master, putting everyone else down, by economic and political sabotage, subversion, proxy wars, etc. 100 years of great shame. If democracy means anything real, the majority of the world must be allowed to have its say, be allowed to grow, be allowed to be. The US imperialist hegemony empire doesn't have 'allies', only slaves, and sees the rest of the world as its plantation. The sheep (Ukraine, Australia, UK, Europe, Taiwan, Japan, S. Korea..) are encouraged to worry about wolves all their lives, but in the end are eaten up by the shepherd. Don't these countries realise that they are possessed, militarily and psychologically. From 2013 (and still true today) ... Bonus film - with Jeffrey Sachs ... With Garland Nixon ...
Something different – the big perspective
With Big Think ...
The QingMing Riverside Landscape Garden (QingMing ShangHe Yuan, a large-scale cultural and historical theme park, KaiFeng, HeNan province
Don't miss it ! With China Walking Tour ... The Qingming Riverside Landscape Garden (Qingming Shanghe Yuan, 清明上河园) is a large-scale cultural and historical theme park located in Kaifeng, Henan Province, China. It is inspired by the famous ancient Chinese painting "Along the River During the Qingming Festival" (清明上河图) by the Song Dynasty artist Zhang Zeduan. The park recreates the bustling city life and natural scenery depicted in the painting, reflecting the prosperity of the Northern Song Dynasty (960–1127 AD). Historical Reproduction: The park meticulously reconstructs the architecture, streets, waterways, marketplaces, and daily life of Bianjing (modern-day Kaifeng), the capital of the Northern Song Dynasty. This immersive environment gives visitors a glimpse into the ancient city's urban culture and economic vitality. Performances and Activities: Qingming Riverside Landscape Garden offers daily performances showcasing traditional Chinese culture, including folk dances, acrobatics, and reenactments of Song Dynasty customs. Highlights include the Imperial Court Parade, martial arts demonstrations, and shadow puppet shows. Cultural Exhibits: Visitors can explore Song-era crafts, such as pottery, calligraphy, and silk weaving. The park also features exhibits about the technologies and trade practices of the time. Interactive Experiences: Guests can dress in traditional Song Dynasty attire, participate in ancient games, and take boat rides along the carefully designed canals that replicate the waterways in the painting. Festivals and Night Tours: During special occasions like the Qingming Festival and the Mid-Autumn Festival, the park hosts themed events and illuminates its buildings, creating a magical night-time atmosphere. Significance: Qingming Riverside Landscape Garden is not only a popular tourist attraction but also an important educational site, offering visitors insights into the rich history and culture of the Northern Song Dynasty. It serves as a living museum, celebrating the artistic and architectural achievements of ancient China. Whether you're a history enthusiast, a culture lover, or simply looking for a unique travel experience, this park is a must-visit destination in Henan Province.
BeiJing night and day, 2023
798 Art Zone, WangJing SOHO, and CBD. With Walk East ... BeiJing CBD area. With BeiJing Walking ...

Tag search ?