What Are the Must-See Tourist Attractions in Beijing?

Beijing, the capital city of China, is a vibrant and exciting place full of interesting and beautiful sights. As the country’s political, educational and cultural hub, it’s ranked among the world’s top historical sites and attracts millions of visitors each year. From towering skyscrapers to ancient palaces, Beijing is an ancient city with a modern face. Here’s an overview of some of the most popular sights in Beijing.

Temple of Heaven

One of the most rewarding places to begin exploring Beijing is the Temple of Heaven. Located in the southern suburbs of Beijing, this complex of buildings dates back to 1420 and was built as a place for the Ming and Qing Dynasty Emperors to go to pray for a good harvest. The Hall of Prayer for Good Harvest stands in the center of a series of other buildings and pavilions, all connected by embankments and pathways. Walk through to appreciate the elaborate architecture, dragons, and intricate details.

Forbidden City

Next up is a trip to the historic Forbidden City. This sprawling palace was home to China’s emperors for centuries and is now a part of the prestigious UNESCO World Heritage game, offering tourists a chance to walk in their footsteps. Take your time exploring, as the Forbidden City has 9,999 rooms over nearly 200 acres, making it often known as the “Garden of Perfect Brightness”. Outside the palace walls you will find plenty of charming shopping areas and local restaurants in which you can get a taste of true Beijing.

Great Wall of China

No visit to Beijing would be complete without a trip to the iconic Great Wall of China. Built as a defensive structure over many centuries, this single structure is visible from space and is designed with several sections for various defensive purposes. You can hike the wall or take a shuttle bus that drops off visitors at the various sections, offering you a chance to explore different sections and appreciate its historic complexity.

Hutong Neighborhoods

To truly immerse yourself in everyday Chinese culture, spend some time exploring one of Beijing’s traditional Hutong neighborhoods. These small alleyways were once common in central Beijing and are now popular tourist sites, full of vibrant street life and unique shops housed in siheyuan courtyard homes. Take your time here just to wander and get lost in this intricate network of traditional homes and narrow alleys.

Olympic Park

Almost fifteen years after trhe successful 2008 Olympic games that took place here, the Olympic Park still remains a busy place today and oozes the spirit of fraternal sportsmanship. There are plenty of activities such as bird watching, BMXing, rollerblading and ice-skating. If you admire modern engineering marvels, there are iconic landmarks like the Bird’s Nest Stadium, Water Cube and ultra-modern stadiums surrounded by well-maintained sports fields.

Tiananmen Square

Tiananmen Square is probably one of the most famous sites outside China. It’s a huge square dominated by Mao Zedong’s tomb in the middle which gives it an almost ethereal quietude. Encircled by various iconic buildings such as Chairman Mao’s memorial hall, his mausoleum and Zhengyangmen gate, it is considered to be one of China’s key political sites. If you’re curious about Chinese history and politics then this is a must-visit spot for you!

Summer Palace

The Summer Palace is located in the northwest suburbs of Beijing and it was initially built as a summer getaway for Empress Dowager Cixi. Today, it has been transformed into an expansive complex containing a variety of traditional royal architecture such as pavilions, terraces and bridges. The views here are stunning since it stretches across Kunming Lake (been dubbed as “The Sea of Wisdom”), with stunning emerald green waters often dotted with stunning lotus flowers – it’s worth spending a few hours here just admiring its beauty!

Lama Temple

Located in the heart of Beijing, Lama Temple is one of the best places to visit for those who are interested in Tibetan Buddhism. This large temple dates back to 1694 and houses several Tibetan Buddhist statues, ceremonial halls and shrines within its complex. The outside walls are ornately decorated with colourful reliefs depicting stories from Buddhist mythology while inside visitors can admire the grandeur of Buddhist sculptures such as The 500 Arhats Hall and The Pavilion Of Ten Thousand Happinesses.

Conclusion

Beijing has so much to offer visitors. From modern skyscrapers to traditional temples, there’s something for everyone here. Whether you’re just visiting for a day or want a longer break, we recommend starting with some of these must-see attractions: The Temple of Heaven, Forbidden City, Great Wall of China and Beijing Hutongs to name a few! Make sure you don’t miss out on these great spots during your stay in Beijing! For more information about these exciting tourist attractions visit The Crazy Tourist website.