Where should you go when in Beijing?
Photo credit: zhang-kaiyv (Unsplash)
Luxurious and beautiful royal gardens, remnants of ancient walls and ruins from wars, traditional streets bustling with common folks - a visit to Beijing will transport you back in time, all while never having to leave the city. This guide will introduce you to all the attractions you can't miss out on, especially if you're visiting for the first time.!
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Must-visit attractions in Beijing
1. The Palace Museum
Photo Credits: Wong Zihoo
"In Taiwan's National Palace Museum, you see treasures; in Beijing's Palace Museum, you admire architecture!"
We once heard this in Beijing, and it rings true. A visit to the The Palace Museum reveals not just treasures but a profound sense of history. Emperors ascending to the throne, officials paying respects in the halls, and concubines resting in their rooms - these historical scenes were once present day reality here. Also known as the The Forbidden City, this was the palace of 24 emperors. It's guarded by four gates and moats, symbolising and epitomising the culture and beauty of Beijing. Reflecting on the lively scenes of the Ming and Qing dynasties, a century later it has become a must-visit destination frequented by tourists from all over the world！
- Address: North of Tiananmen Square
- Warm reminder: Peak season (April 1st - October 31st), off-season (November 1st - March 31st)
- Business hours: 8:30AM-4:30PM all year round (closing time extended by half an hour during peak season)
2. Old Summer Palace
Comprising three vast gardens and located in the western outskirts of Beijing, the Old Summer Palace, also known as Yuanmingyuan, is acclaimed as the 'Garden of Gardens' and was one of the royal palaces created by the Qing emperors. Within the park are lakes, mazes, Western-style buildings, castles, courtyards, and more. Due to its sheer size, it's exploring the grounds in a single day may be challenging.
Don't miss out on the Grand Fountain and the Maze of Ten Thousand Flowers! The Grand Fountain once featured a fountain designed in both Chinese and Western styles, with animals representing the twelve zodiac signs arranged to mark the twelve hours. Everyday, it would spray water towards the centre to announce the time; this was a clear reflection on its grandeur at the time.
Due to the Anglo-French invasion and the Boxer Rebellion, many historical relics are now in ruins. However, visitors can still imagine and visualise its former glory by viewing these remnants on-site and with their accompanying explanatory diagrams
- Closest station: Exit B of Yuanmingyuan Subway Station
- Opening hours: 7:00AM-5:00PM (Seasonal adjustments detailed on the official website)
3. Universal Studios Beijing
When in Beijing, you have to add Universal Studios Beijing to your itinerary! This amusement park is the largest Universal Studios in the world, featuring seven themed zones, 37 thrilling rides, and iconic landmarks. It's also the first Universal Studios theme park globally themed around "Kung Fu Panda" immersing visitors in authentic Chinese elements. Join Po on his journey to become a legendary martial arts master!
Recommended in-park route:
- Transformers Metrobase
- Kung Fu Panda Land of Awesomeness
- The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™
- Jurassic World Isla Nublar
- Minion Land
- Hollywood
- Universal CityWalk Beijing
4. Prince Gong's Mansion
Visiting the mansion of Prince Gong Yi Xin from the Qing Dynasty, located near the popular Shichahai area, allows you to explore many nearby hutong (lane or alley) as well. There's a saying in Beijing: "Visiting the Forbidden City for royal prestige, visiting the Great Wall for its grandeur, and visiting Prince Gong's Mansion for blessings"!
It turns out that Prince Gong's Mansion houses a special "福" (fortune) character, personally inscribed on a stone stele by Emperor Kangxi who is known for his calligraphy. This character, known as the "Number One Fortune in the World," is now housed in a small cave within the mansion grounds. To sneak a peek, you'll have to get in queue and go through a tunnel. The pristine preservation of the mansion will surely transport you back in time. You can even purchase souvenirs featuring the "福" character!
- Address: No. 17 Qianhai West Street, Shichahai Scenic Area
- Opening hours: Approximately 8:00-16:00 (Seasonal adjustments detailed on the official website)
5. Tiananmen Square
Photo Credits: Zhe ZHANG (Unsplash)
Once considered one of the world's largest squares, Tiananmen Square, located at the entrance to the Forbidden City, is always bustling with crowds. You'll find many local vendors selling a variety of things outside, as well as tourists from all over the globe eager to snap a photo. Tiananmen Square has hosted numerous national celebrations and sports events, yet it still exudes a solemn atmosphere - soldiers and police officers stand guard nearby, and Chairman Mao's portraits and slogans adorn the walls.
Here, visitors can take leisurely walks and witness flag-raising ceremonies as well as military performances in the early morning and evening, experiencing a unique aspect of Beijing's charm. Other nearby attractions you can check out are the Forbidden City, Jingshan Park, the Chairman Mao Memorial Hall, and Qianmen！
- Closest stations: Tiananmen East and Tiananmen West subway stations
- Chairman Mao Memorial Hall opening hours: 8:00AM - 12:00PM (Tue to Sun)
6. EPSON teamLab
Beijing also has an immersive art gallery called teamLab Massless Beijing. Created by the art collective teamLab, this gallery is described as a "museum where you can immerse your whole body". The artworks transcend physical boundaries, allowing visitors to alter their understanding of contours, space, and the surrounding environment. Here, you can immerse yourself physically in a complex and three-dimensional world spanning 10,000 square meters, and create a new world with others, allowing the body and the world to continue without boundaries!
7. Temple of Heaven
Once a place where Ming and Qing emperors worshipped gods and prayed for good harvests, the Temple of Heaven has transformed into a park open to the public. Surrounding the main temple complex are lush gardens and pathways, where you'll often find residents exercising, flying kites, having tea, and chatting. A must-visit within the complex is the iconic Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, renowned for its magnificent three-tiered structure adorned with vibrant blue glazed tiles. Inside, the hall features multiple circular wooden structures arranged in layers, creating a truly spectacular sight.
- Closest station: Tiantan East Gate Subway
- Opening hours: 8:00AM - 5:00PM (off-season), 8:00AM - 5:30PM (peak season)
8. Summer Palace
Photo Credits: Marc-Olivier Jodoin (Unsplash)
The Summer Palace, also known as Yiheyuan, is a breathtaking garden comprising the beautiful Kunming Lake, Longevity Hill, and several halls. Though not as large as the Old Summer Palace (which is a completely different garden), it still takes half a day to thoroughly explore all its attractions. Summer Palace offers different views in summer and winter. On hot days, the lake is emerald green, perfect for boating and enjoying the lakeside views. In winter, the lake freezes over, allowing visitors to rent ice sleds or skates for ice skating.
The garden includes several smaller gardens that you can visit with separate tickets. If you haven't been, we highly recommend dropping by Suzhou Street: it replicates the water towns of Jiangnan, with shops along the water, traditional red buildings with tiled roofs, tea houses, noodle stalls, jewellery shops, and pastry shops. It feels like stepping back in time to ancient China, allowing visitors to experience its lively atmosphere.
- Closest station: Beigongmen subway station
- Operating hours: The main gate opens at 7:00, and the garden in the garden opens at 9:00 (please refer to the official website for adjustments during off-season and peak season )
9. Great Wall of China
Photo Credits: Max van den Oetelaar (Unsplash)
When in Beijing, "He who has not climbed the Great Wall is not a true man"! No matter how far it is, you must set aside a day to witness the magnificence of the Great Wall for yourself. There are three main sections of the Great Wall near Beijing: Badaling, Mutianyu, and Simatai. Among them, Badaling is closer and more accessible by public transport, but it tends to be crowded. For first-time visitors, we recommend Mutianyu, where there are fewer crowds and the scenery is beautiful, making it a top choice for many backpackers. Since these sections are in the suburbs, reaching any part of the Great Wall requires taking the subway and then transferring to a bus. For a more relaxed experience, you can opt for a private car charter, which avoids the crowds and gets you there faster!
10. Qianmen
Photo Credits: おにぎり (Unsplash)
Adjacent to Tiananmen Square, Qianmen is a commercial street that seamlessly blends old and new. Along the ancient streets of Xianyukou and Dashilar, there are many century-old traditional shops, making it a great place to enjoy authentic Beijing snacks. You can find various delicacies such as Zhajiang noodles, famous chain restaurants for Peking duck, grilled skewers, yogurt, and traditional pastries perfect for souvenirs. Qianmen also plays host to numerous international brands, allowing visitors to indulge in shopping alongside their culinary adventures.
The streets are adorned with lanterns and flags, and the preserved low-rise buildings on either side add to the nostalgic charm. Dangdangche shuttle through the pedestrian street, occasionally ringing their bells, reminiscent of times past.
- Closest station: Qianmen Subway Station
Are you ready for Beijing？
There you have it, must-visit attractions in Beijing! Getting to see historical places first-hand offers a unique experience, so this list is highly recommended for travellers who love history and culture! Some attractions are quite large, requiring a lot of physical stamina and time. It's best to allocate at least half a day to a full day for these visits, followed by some leisurely activities to unwind.
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