Beijing Travel Guide

Sleep is something the Chinese city of Beijing is unaccustomed to and indeed, as a destination with nearly 14 million residents, it’s hardly surprising that it experiences around the clock activity. Formerly know as Peking, the buzz is tangible and an inherent part of its appeal, although the Great Wall and the Forbidden City play their part in drawing visitors, too.

The Summer Palace, or Forbidden City, perhaps takes the top spot on the list of most popular attractions with its fascinating Qing Dynasty architecture and landscaped gardens. The Great Wall, hailed as one of the Seven Wonders of the World, is also a must-see, especially in light of a local saying that translates as: ‘you are not a man if you have not been to the Great Wall’.

Veering off the historic and cultural trail, attractions such as the Beijing Amusement Park, Beijing Zoo, Beijing Aquarium and Beijing Chao Yang Theater make for some good all-round family entertainment, while relaxation amid greenery can be found at the Beijing Botanical Gardens and Beihai and Zongshan parks. With a local cuisine responsible for creating the famous Peking duck dish, the city’s restaurants offer excellent opportunities to enjoy a fine meal after a busy day of sightseeing.

Beijing Attractions

Great Wall: take a trip to Badaling to see the section of the wall closest to Beijing. Viewable from space and with UNESCO World Heritage site status, a trip to the wall is a must for all visitors.

The Forbidden City: dating back to the time of the Qing Dynasty, this fine palace is surrounded by a 10-metre-high wall and six-metre-deep moat.

Tiananmen square: the world’s largest public square is perhaps most famous for the political events of 1989 which culminated in the deaths of a significant number of activists.

Ming Tombs: less than an hour’s drive out of the city brings you to the final resting place of 13 Ming Dynasty emperors. Visitors are allowed in to the Changling and Dingling tombs only.

National Museum of China: situated in Tiananmen square, this is one of the finest museums in China featuring a range of artifacts from throughout China’s long and fascinating history.

Beijing Amusement Park: a modern amusement park offering fairground rides and themed attractions aimed at all members of the family.

Beijing Aquarium: allegedly the world's largest inland aquarium, this impressive facility features a 3.5 million liter tank which is home to creatures gathered from every ocean on the planet.