Must See Beijing Culture

Our Local Expert Says:

One of the few places on the west side to buy official Olympics memorabilia, this hotel attracts many foreign travel groups.

Description:

This hotel, located in downtown Beijing adjacent to the Hua Lian Department Store, is ideally situated to explore the city. All guestrooms are equipped with high-speed Internet access and cable/satellite TV; balconies offer city views. Guests have several dining options including a buffet-style restaurant and an elegant bar and grill with an open kitchen.

Description:

If you only visit one temple after the Temple of Heaven, this should be it. A complex of progressively larger buildings topped with ornate yellow-tiled roofs, Yonghe Gong was built in 1694 and originally belonged to the Qing prince who would become the Yongzheng emperor. As was the custom, the complex was converted to a temple after Yongzheng's move to the Forbidden City in 1744. The temple is home to several rather beautiful incense burners, including a particularly ornate one in the second courtyard that dates back to 1746. The Falun Dian (Hall of the Wheel of Law), second to last of the major buildings, contains a 6m (20-ft.) bronze statue of Tsongkapa (1357-1419), the founder of the reformist Yellow Hat (Geluk) sect of Tibetan Buddhism, which is now the dominant school of Tibetan Buddhism. He's easily recognized by his pointed cap with long earflaps. The last of the five central halls, the Wanfu Ge (Tower of Ten Thousand Happinesses), houses the temple's prize possession -- an ominous Tibetan-style statue of Maitreya (the future Buddha), 18m (59 ft.) tall, carved from a single piece of white sandalwood. Once something of a circus, Yonghe Gong is slowly starting to feel like a place...

Description:

An imperial playground dating back to the Tartar Jin dynasty (1115-1234), Bei Hai lies to the north of Zhong Hai and Nan Hai, which were also opened to the public in 1925. In the best tradition of Animal Farm, the Communist leaders created a new Forbidden City and named it Zhong Nan Hai. Bei Hai was left to the masses. Although it's a convenient way to combine a morning visit to the Forbidden City with a more relaxing afternoon in the Back Lakes area, most visitors have a quick peek at the southern half and then disappear. Unfortunately, they miss the north side of the park, which is more interesting.

Entering from the south, you come to Tuan Cheng (Round City), a small citadel on a raised platform whose most notable structure, Chengguang Dian, houses a 1.5m-tall (5-ft.) statue of a feminine-looking Buddha, crafted from Burmese white jade. Crossing the Yong'an Bridge to Qiong Dao (Qiong Islet), you soon reach Yong'an Si, where the founder of the prominent Geluk sect, Tsongkapa, was the focus of devotion. He is now portrayed as a Chinese reformer of corrupt Tibetan Buddhism, on the grounds that he was born in Qinghai rather than "autonomous" Tibet. From here, boats run to the north side...

Our Local Expert Says:

Although virtually all the restaurants along this street are great, restaurants such as Jingui Xiaoshancheng for spicy food, Little Sheep for hotpot and Xiao Yu Shan for lamb skewers are some of the best. You can usually find restaurants in this area that are open 24 hours, allowing you to enjoy tasty food no matter what time of the day or night it is.

Description:

If there is one place that can satisfy your craving for new and exotic foods in Beijing, it is Ghost Street. With over 100 restaurants lining the lantern-lit streets, it is full of exciting new flavors, traditional courtyards and really great tasting food. From traditional Beijing cuisine to Sichuan, Yunnan and foreign cuisine, this street has something for all tastes. The name 'Ghost Street' is said to come from the old ghost fairs in Beijing, where fruits and vegetables were sold by ghostly light of kerosene lamps. Many of the most authentic and exciting Chinese restaurants are located along Guijie, and it gives a real insight into Chinese dining, drinking and nightlife culture.

Our Local Expert Says:

The main draw of Forbidden City is the impressive Imperial architecture and the sheer scale of the palace. Visiting on a clear day in winter offers the best chance for photographs of this historic site with a clear blue sky in the background. Take a day to visit the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square together, as they are right next to each other.

Description:

Located in the heart of Beijing near Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City is the most vivid reminder of China's Imperial past. Constructed from 1406 to 1420 and serving as the Imperial palace from the Ming to Qing Dynasties, Forbidden City is the largest palace in the world. There are nearly 1,000 surviving buildings in total, and many of these have been carefully restored to their former glory. As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Forbidden City contains artefacts from China's Imperial past and is a must-see attraction when visiting Beijing.

Our Local Expert Says:

Tiananmen Square is quietest early in the morning before the crowds gather, although it is easily accessible throughout the day. Getting there by subway is the most convenient option, as the wide roads and official buildings in the area make it hard for taxis to stop. Tiananmen Square is the best place to experience the look and feel of Communist China.

Description:

The centre of both glory and controversy in China's modern history, Tiananmen Square is a vast space located next to Forbidden City. Although the square was originally constructed in 1651, it was not until 1958 that it was significantly enlarged and concrete laid down that it became the square seen today. The site of a number of political battles over the last fifty years, Tiananmen Square is also home to the tomb of Chairman Mao. A sprawling and spacious area, Tiananmen Square perfectly highlights the divide between Imperial and Communist China.

Description:

This night market has to be seen to be believed. Eager crowds jostle alongside red and white stalls, responding to the calls of vendors or the sight of something delicious or extraordinary to behold. Food comes on skewers, in soup bowls, wrapped in tortillas, or even in half a pineapple, and includes familiar fried and roasted meat, fish, seafood, vegetables and fruit, alongside hearts, brains, stomach and other innards. Try baby sparrows, scorpions, crickets and silkworm grubs. Glutinous and sticky, savory and sweet rice dishes are filling and cheap. Vegetarians can eat corn, broccoli, mushrooms and noodles.

Our Local Expert Says:

One of the few places on the west side to buy official Olympics memorabilia, this hotel attracts many foreign travel groups.

Description:

This hotel, located in downtown Beijing adjacent to the Hua Lian Department Store, is ideally situated to explore the city. All guestrooms are equipped with high-speed Internet access and cable/satellite TV; balconies offer city views. Guests have several dining options including a buffet-style restaurant and an elegant bar and grill with an open kitchen.

Our Local Expert Says:

The Summer Palace is extremely large and to see all of its beauty will take at least one day. It is stunning at all times of the year as the seasons change the natural landscape. Highlights of the palace include the Seventeen-Arch Bridge, the Cloud Dispelling Hall and the Temple of Buddhist Virtue.

Description:

Dominated by the 60-metre high Longevity Hill and Kunming Lake, this palace is located in the North of Beijing and was originally constructed in 1750. The palace has been ransacked and destroyed on a number of occasions throughout history, with its current incarnation being finished in 1902 after the Boxer Rebellion. A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1998, the Summer Palace is a perfect example of Chinese palatial garden design. With its lakes, maze-like collection of buildings and beautiful pagodas, this landmark is the most beautiful and peaceful attraction to visit in Beijing.

Our Local Expert Says:

Most reliable place for duck in Beijing in the most pleasant setting. Comprehensive menu with illustrations runs over 100 pages.

Description:

Da Dong's duck is as meltingly succulent as any; it claims to be lower in calories, but it sure doesn't taste like it. We know it's tough, but don't stuff yourself on the main event and overlook other dishes-the fried oysters in Sichuan pepper-salt are a must. Perfect for fans of traditional style duck dining.

Our Local Expert Says:

One of the few places on the west side to buy official Olympics memorabilia, this hotel attracts many foreign travel groups.

Description:

This hotel, located in downtown Beijing adjacent to the Hua Lian Department Store, is ideally situated to explore the city. All guestrooms are equipped with high-speed Internet access and cable/satellite TV; balconies offer city views. Guests have several dining options including a buffet-style restaurant and an elegant bar and grill with an open kitchen.

Our Local Expert Says:

Although not as precipitous as Mutianyu Great Wall, Simatai does require some level of fitness to traverse. It is further from Beijing than some other sections, but affords better views of the surrounding hills than the Badaling section. Simatai is also generally quieter than Badaling, although it can still be busy during peak season.

Description:

Simatai Great Wall section is 5.4 km long and is located some 120 km from the centre of Beijing in Miyun County. There are 35 beacon towers along this section, and it marks one of the most strategically significant parts of the Great Wall. Simatai was built in the early part of the Ming Dynasty in the late 14th century, and is the only part of the wall to still have original Ming Dynasty features. Simatai has not been rebuilt in the same way as Badaling, and it is somewhat steeper and harder to climb. It is a good compromise between the touristy Badaling and the difficult Mutianyu, offering convenience, fair hiking and stunning views.

Description:

This Mongolian-style mutton hot pot restaurant is tremendously and justifiably popular for its signature dipping sauce (jinpai tiaoliao), a flavorful sesame sauce so thick they have to dish it out with ice cream scoops. Large plates of fresh sliced lamb (yangrou) are surprisingly cheap; other options include beef (niurou), spinach (bocai), and sliced winter melon (donggua pian). Reservations strongly recommended.

Our Local Expert Says:

One of the few places on the west side to buy official Olympics memorabilia, this hotel attracts many foreign travel groups.

Description:

This hotel, located in downtown Beijing adjacent to the Hua Lian Department Store, is ideally situated to explore the city. All guestrooms are equipped with high-speed Internet access and cable/satellite TV; balconies offer city views. Guests have several dining options including a buffet-style restaurant and an elegant bar and grill with an open kitchen.

Our Local Expert Says:

"Tiantan" is dripping in history and imperial significance. Grab a friend and share a secret across the Echo Wall at the Imperial Vault of Heaven. Crowd into the middle of Circular Altar, which the Chinese believe to be the point at the center of the universe.

Description:

Located in the South-eastern area of Beijing, the Temple of Heaven is a stunning set of buildings completed in 1420 for prayer and worship. The Temple covers 2.73 square km of gardens and buildings, built to strict philosophical requirements. The centrepiece of Tian Tan is the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests. This 38-metre high tower is intricately decorated both inside and out, and is one of the most famous landmarks within the city. Extensive renovation of the site took place in 2006, with the Temple of Heaven recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1998.

Our Local Expert Says:

Most of the goods in Panjiayuan are of excellent quality, although as with most of these markets bargaining is essential to achieve a good price.

Description:

This classic flea market in the south-eastern part of Beijing has thousands of individual shops and offers a brilliant selection of antiques for all budgets. Along with the Great Wall, Forbidden City and Roast Duck, Panjiayuan is one of the most popular destinations tourists in Beijing. Whether looking for a simple gift for family or a rare and expensive treasure, Panjiayuan is a lively and exciting market to visit. The market is divided into four zones for ease of shopping - the handicrafts zone, the ancient and old furniture zone, the zone of ancient and old calligraphic works, paintings, books and periodicals, and the zone of ancient architecture.

Description:

One of a growing number of restaurants in the capital to offer authentic, good value Sichuan food in a upscale environment, South Beauty has proven extremely popular with locals and visitors alike. With a glass front, immaculate mirrored bar and comfortable booth seating, the atmosphere here is ideal for dates or business meals, and the food never disappoints. All the spicy Sichuan favorites are present.

Our Local Expert Says:

One of the few places on the west side to buy official Olympics memorabilia, this hotel attracts many foreign travel groups.

Description:

This hotel, located in downtown Beijing adjacent to the Hua Lian Department Store, is ideally situated to explore the city. All guestrooms are equipped with high-speed Internet access and cable/satellite TV; balconies offer city views. Guests have several dining options including a buffet-style restaurant and an elegant bar and grill with an open kitchen.