7 Places To Visit in Beijing

Looking places to visit in Beijing?

As you may already know, Beijing is the capital of China.

This city brings out the value of the Chinese historical areas.

To put it simply, Beijing is the city where you can learn the history and culture of China, and there’s always something new to discover.

So, if you’re planning a trip to Beijing, read on to know the seven must-see places that will leave you with beautiful memories.

List of 7 Places to Visit in Beijing

1. The Great Wall of China

Let’s start with the most popular tourist spot – the Great Wall of China.

This location is incredible! It has been built for over 13,000 miles and shows just how determined and clever people can be.

When you’re in Beijing, you’ve got a couple of options for visiting the wall.

There’s the Mutianyu section and the Badaling section.

Mutianyu is about 70 kilometres from Beijing. It’s a bit less crowded and has some pretty awesome views.

There are 23 watchtowers along this part, and the architecture is really cool.

Badaling is closer to the city, and it’s been fixed up a lot, so it’s easier to visit if you want a more comfortable trip.

The Great Wall is a massive landmark in Chinese history.

They have built it over hundreds of years to keep out invaders, and now it’s like this massive symbol of Chinese civilization.

If you want the best experience, try to go in spring or fall.

The weather is pretty amazing during this time of the year, and everything looks beautiful.

Oh, and if you can drag yourself out of bed early, morning visits are great for avoiding crowds and getting some awesome photos if you want to capture the moments.

2. Forbidden City

Right in the middle of Beijing, you’ll find the Forbidden City.

This place is massive – it’s the biggest palace complex in the world!

It was used to be a home to the emperors of China for almost 500 years, from 1420 to 1912.

The whole place covers over 180 acres and it combines with unique Chinese architecture and cool historical aspects.

Noteworthy – there are 980 buildings with 8,707 rooms in the Forbidden City. Each one is decorated to show off how powerful and rich the emperors were.

When you’re walking around, it really feels like you’ve gone back in time.

Make sure you check out the outer court with its big ceremonial halls, the inner court where the emperor and his family lived, and the Imperial Garden as well.

In addition to that, don’t miss the Hall of Supreme Harmony – it’s the biggest and most important building in the whole place.

This is because it was the place where emperors held their coronations and other big ceremonies.

3. Temple of Heaven

The Temple of Heaven is a real surprise when it comes to Chinese architecture and landscape designs.

It’s this big complex where emperors used to pray for good harvests way back in the Ming and Qing periods.

The star of the show is the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests – it is the most beautiful round building with three layers of roofs and bright colours that you can find in Beijing.

You can spot it from miles away!

This place plays a major role in Chinese culture.

It’s all about the connection between the earth and the heaven and how humans relates to the divine.

The way it was built, with all its numbers and spaces, shows a lot about how ancient Chinese people viewed the universe.

Around the temples, there’s a huge park where locals love to hang out.

In the mornings, you’ll see people doing exercises, such as tai chi, and just enjoying themselves to relax their minds.

If you are interested, take a walk around in order to get a feel for everyday life in Beijing.

Moreover, there is a long corridor that used to be for ceremony prep. However, now it’s where you’ll find people playing cards, making music, and singing opera.

It’s a fabulous mix of old and new Beijing culture.

4. Summer Palace

The Summer Palace is like the crown jewel of Chinese royal parks.

It’s huge, well-kept, and absolutely gorgeous.

In the past, emperors and their families would come here to escape the heat and politics of the Forbidden City.

Over there, the main attraction is the Kunming Lake, which is the massive man-made lake that takes up most of the park.

Next to it, you can find the Longevity Hill, where you can discover a bunch of palace buildings.

As per the tourist attractions, the coolest one is probably the Tower of Buddhist Incense, which is the big eight-sided building that gives you amazing views of the whole park.

The gardens here are also quite fascinating.

Where it blends the man-made features with natural beauty in a way that’s just perfect.

While you start to explore, you will discover the winding paths, fancy pavilions, painted walkways, and peaceful water towers all around.

Also, make sure to check out the Long Corridor, which runs for 728 meters along the lake and has over 14,000 paintings of scenes from Chinese stories and history.

5. Tiananmen Square

Tiananmen Square is right in the heart of Beijing, and it has witnessed many important moments in Chinese history.

It’s enormous, which is enough to fit a million of people at once! – and it has become a symbol of modern China.

Around the square, you’ll find some pretty important buildings.

To the north, there’s the Gate of Heavenly Peace – that’s where Mao Zedong announced the creation of the People’s Republic of China in the year of 1949.

You’ve also got the Great Hall of the People on one side and the National Museum of China on the other.

In the middle, there’s a monument to the heroes of the people and Mao Zedong’s tomb, which is at the south end.

Tiananmen Square has been the site of some historical events, from protests in 1919 to the founding of the People’s Republic in 1949, and the student protests in 1989.

These days, Tiananmen Square was the place where national celebrations took place, and there’s a flag-raising ceremony every day to remember it.

6. Hutongs

If you want to see what old Beijing was like, you’ve got to check out the hutongs.

These are narrow alleys lined with traditional courtyard houses that are totally different from the big skyscrapers and wide streets in the modern parts of the city.

Walking through these neighbourhoods gives you a peek into local life and old-school architecture.

The hutongs are great for experiencing the Beijing culture at it’s best.

Many people still live in the old courtyard houses that have been in their families for generations.

One of the most popular hutongs for visitors is Nanluoguxiang.

It’s about 800 meters long and full of shops, cafes, and bars.

It’s a nice mix of old buildings and new businesses.

If you want to explore more, check out the Skewed Tobacco Pouch Street or the Yandai Xiejie, which is one of the oldest hutongs in Beijing.

Funny Note: Most of the time, the alleys are usually buzzing with activity where you might see older folks playing the mahjong to spend their time.

7. 798 Art District

For a taste of Beijing’s artsy side, head to the 798 Art District.

This place used to be a bunch of old factories, but now it’s full of art galleries, studios, design companies, and cool cafes.

This district has the most neat industrial look, with lots of old factory buildings that have turned into exhibition sites.

You can see all sorts of contemporary art here, both Chinese and international.

It is not just about the art that we are talking about here; there are paintings, sculptures, installations, and performances for you to enjoy.

The galleries often have shows by both famous artists and up-and-comers, so you get a good look at what’s happening in Chinese art right now.

But it’s not just about the galleries.

The street art scene in 798 is amazing. There are murals and graffiti all over the old factory walls, and it’s always changing.

You’ll also spot quirky sculptures and art installations as you walk around.

It’s the kind of place where you never know what cool thing you might see around the next corner.

Conclusion

Beijing has got a bit of everything – from ancient palaces to amazing art.

It’s pretty amazing how the city mixes its rich history with modern stuff.

So, if you’re planning a trip to Beijing, think about when you want to go.

This is because Beijing can get pretty hot in summer and cold in winter, which is different from what you would experience in other countries, so spring and fall are usually the best times to visit.

Also, keep in mind that popular spots can get pretty crowded, especially during Chinese holidays.

If you can, try to visit early in the morning to avoid the crowd.

Whether you’re climbing the Great Wall, exploring the Forbidden City, or checking out the art in 798, Beijing is a city that will leave a lasting impression.

Each of these seven places shows you a different side of the city. As you explore, you’ll get to experience the blend of culture, history, and modern life that makes Beijing so unique.

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