
UNESCO World Heritage Site and perennial favorite, the Great Wall of China has long captivated visitors for centuries. If crowds become too overwhelming, Mutianyu offers a peaceful alternative, with its restored 6th-century section that is child-friendly.
Find books, stamps, paintings and ink stones at this antique market. Afterward, navigate your way through Beijing’s winding and crowded hutong streets – many tours include this popular attraction as a stop. Cathay Pacific’s Dubai to Beijing route is just one example of how you can easily reach the city.
Tiananmen Square
Best known as home for Chairman Mao’s portrait and major ceremonies held there, but offering much more.
Visits to Tiananmen Square are often profoundly moving experiences for many visitors, as a large portion of society leaves flowers at Mao Zedong’s mausoleum or simply stroll around this iconic symbol of power and the Chinese revolution. There are a variety of attractions surrounding this square including Monument to People’s Heroes and Great Hall of the People; visitors may also wish to pay their respects at historic Qianmen gate which was originally constructed by Ming Dynasty as an entranceway into Imperial City – visit this historic landmark!
Photographers love Tiananmen Square for its many stunning shots to be captured here. As it serves as the starting point for most Forbidden City visits, and Tiananmen Tower provides visitors with stunning bird’s-eye views over it all, it makes an ideal starting point.
To make your experience of Tiananmen Square even more memorable, arrive early and follow all rules; don’t bring prohibited items into the square, be punctual and refrain from discussing sensitive political issues during your visit – these simple tips will ensure an enjoyable visit.
Temple of Heaven
This complex was comprised of intertwined cypress and locust trees, as well as numerous raised platforms resembling inverted saucers topped with numerous bronze incense burners decorated with Eight Diagrams or Nine Rings – only the emperor and his entourage were allowed into this complex, who conducted solemn ceremonies at its round altar; within its central area were 3 circular stages that narrower upwards where sacrifices to honor Heaven, Earth, Grain and Water Gods could take place; historically here was where sacrifices to honor them gods were held here
At the north of a circular altar lies the Imperial Vault of Heaven, where Emperors worshiped in honor of their ancestors and gods. On its east side stood the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvest where Emperors would pray for an abundant harvest in lunar month one. Meanwhile, on its western edge stood Palace of Abstinence where Emperors abstained from eating meat or drinking alcohol as part of an annual winter solstice ceremony to pay homage to Heaven and Gods.
Visits to the Temple of Heaven are always fascinating experiences, as its symbolic displays depict traditional philosophical ideas, cosmogony, sacrifice rituals and religious beliefs from China. But visiting can also be daunting as much of the information and signage are in Chinese. Therefore it is recommended that visitors seek guidance or use an app like Google Lens or Apple Translate when exploring.
Forbidden City
While exploring the massive complex on your own is possible, many choose guided tours for an enriching and educational experience – Context’s small group tours offer expert guides as well as priority entrance.
Beginning your visit of the Forbidden City is best accomplished by exploring its eastern palaces via the Palace of Earthly Tranquility. These palaces include Palace of Celestial Favour, Eternal Harmony, Great Benevolence, Literary Brilliance and Pure Purity–originally intended as residences for imperial concubines but now hosting changing exhibitions that may include bronzes at Palace of Celestial Favour and ceramics at Literary Brilliance.
Once you’ve had a chance to absorb it all, head northward to visit the unmissable Gallery of Clocks with its famed nine dragon screen and then northeastern corner for what feels like its own mini Forbidden City experience: Palace of Tranquil Longevity (Zhu Shou Gong). Constructed around 1771 for Qing Emperor Qianlong but never actually lived here himself; today it houses an amazing array of ornamental objects made from gold, silver, jade and emeralds crafted out of precious materials such as gold silver jade and emeralds crafted out of precious materials; or head northeast for something altogether different altogether: Zhu Shou Gong was built around 1771 but never used or lived inside; its amazing display features ornamental objects made of gold silver jade and emeralds!
Before leaving Forbidden City, head toward the Gate of Divine Prowess and explore the Hall of Martial Valour. Originally used by emperors to welcome visiting dignitaries, now this expansive courtyard hosts regular exhibitions.
Summer Palace
Summer Palace, listed by UNESCO as World Heritage, is an immensely popular tourist attraction in Beijing. This vast park contains stunning lakes, intricately painted bridges and intricate garden designs; visitors can take a relaxing cruise on Kunming Lake before strolling through its luxurious Hall of Longevity.
The park boasts the city’s largest skating rink, drawing in both locals and visitors alike. Furthermore, three Chinese restaurants and multiple artwork shops can also be found within its boundaries, along with tour guide services offered in multiple languages as well as wheelchair-accessible paths, restrooms and an elevator service for added convenience.
Attractions at the Summer Palace include its western-inspired “Marble Ship” (Shifang) and 17-arch marble bridge, along with the Hall of Well-Being and Longevity and 19th-century Great Theatre. Also of note is its Garden of Harmonious Virtue – an elaborate three-level Peking opera stage built specifically for Empress Cixi – as well as Song Qingling’s residence, widow of China’s founder Sun Yat-sen.
Summer Palace tours provide you with personalized attention from your guide, enabling you to skip lines at popular attractions while tailoring the tour according to your interests and choosing between morning or afternoon departure. Highlights of a private tour may include seeing highlights like the Long Corridor and 17-Arch Bridge as well as learning about Chinese Emperors who constructed such an opulent park.
Beihai Park
Today, Beihai Park offers visitors an oasis of green space wrapped around a lake that serves as a respite. Showcasing centuries-worth of Chinese imperial history through temples, palaces, gardens and monuments such as White Dagoba, Circular City and Jionghua Islet are among its main draws.
More than half of this 175 hectare park consists of manmade lakes. Boat rentals from one of its piers allow you to navigate its jade-green waters or explore its rugged crags and verdant islets, while White Dagoba sits majestically atop Jade Flowery Islet as its landmark; from its summit you have an extraordinary view over Zhongnanhai (Central and South Lakes), Golden Roofs of Forbidden City, as well as surrounding urban streets.
Start your day right by exploring the park with a stroll through its vibrant community, filled with locals exercising, playing chess and singing and dancing. Try your luck at traditional calligraphy or brush painting at one of several tea-leaves baking rooms or painting studios nearby!
Great Western Paradise, situated west of Beihai’s north gate park, is one of the city’s most celebrated zones. Commonly referred to as a “garden within a garden”, it was favored by Emperor Qianlong of Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). Filled with Ming-era halls, pavilions, tea rooms, ancient trees and Ming era Nine-Dragon Wall (an impressive 27m long “spirit wall”) featuring vibrantly hued dragons on glazed tiles!