Joanna James
Boasting a rich history, Beijing's heritage is thousands of years old. The capital city is one of the world's most modern cities. It is almost magical with its host of ancient traditions, cultures, art, and architecture. Here are the top five things to experience in Beijing.
As an amalgamation of several units, the Great Wall of China has many access points. You can visit the attraction from any one of these points in Beijing. Mutianyu is a section of the Great wall that is restored and houses watchtowers making it a nice spot for photos; it is about 90 minutes from Beijing. Badaling makes it easy to combine a visit to the Ming Tombs. This section of the wall is very touristy so expect large crowds; it is further from Beijing hotels, about 2 hours away. Simatic is a good place to visit after dark as the entire section is lit up. Jiankou is more of an adventure as this section is the least restored and has some challenging areas; it is about 3 hours away from the capital.
One of the easiest and most rewarding attractions in China that is easy to reach from hotels in downtown Beijing, the Forbidden City is an iconic landmark you must explore. Completed in 1420, this much-visited attraction has many facets to explore. The seat of the Ming Dynasty, the 178-acre complex has a myriad of areas to visit and will definitely keep you active. Check out some of the best accommodation options in Beijing for easy access to top places such as Forbidden City and its surrounding places. Popular options like Pan Pacific Beijing make exploring easy.
This is one of the best shopping and dining areas in Beijing, and it's pedestrianised so you can wander around leisurely bumping into people and not vehicles. If you love eating and shopping, there is no better place than Wangfujing where you are treated to a smorgasbord of local delights. Shopping too is amazing with plenty of shopping malls and charming local boutiques to explore; this means you can shop for a range of consumer goods as well as the perfect souvenir or gift.
Built in 1322, this is an exotic Taoist temple that you will find fascinating to explore. Better known as Dongyue Temple, the shrine is a lesser-known attraction but one that's a pity to miss if you love learning more about foreign cultures and religions. There are 376 rooms inside the temple and each one holds an array of artefacts that are beyond the normal items you will observe in the temple. Many of them depict hell in the afterlife as per Taoist beliefs and are truly gruesome enough to set anyone on the righteous path to redemption.
This iconic precinct that is linked to much of China's history is well worth a visit, especially for some social media photos. The area is home to several galleries, museums and monuments that make wandering around the square a rewarding experience.
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
