As you travel around Beijing, you will find that there are plenty of great attractions to visit. You can tour The Forbidden City, a large complex that houses palaces from the Ming and Qing dynasties. There is also the National Museum of China, a vast museum that focuses on the history of China. Other popular attractions include Tiananmen Square, where you can see the Mao Zedong Mausoleum and other important monuments. Also, there are many interesting parks that you can visit. Among them are the Lama Temple and Jingshan Park. With such delights, it should be no surprise to see there are so many Cathay Pacific flights to Beijing available right now.
The Forbidden City
The Forbidden City is a huge building complex, containing 90 palaces and more than 900 buildings. It is located in Beijing, China. Today, it is part of the UNESCO World Heritage List.
There are many wonders to see in the Forbidden City. One of them is the Hall of Supreme Harmony. It is the largest building in the complex. This building is a masterpiece of architecture. It is located in the north of the city.
It was built in the 15th and 16th centuries. A number of gigantic stones were used in the construction. These were mined from the southern part of China.
Forbidden City was surrounded by a moat. In addition, it was enclosed by a 10 meter high outer wall.
It was the largest building structure in the world until the completion of the Taj Mahal in India. Today, it is a popular tourist destination in China.
Forbidden City is a great place to learn about Chinese history and culture. There are more than one million pieces of art in the palace.
The Palace Museum is the largest cultural museum in China. Visitors can explore the history of the country through the museum’s collection of art.
The Palace Museum is housed in several old Chinese imperial residences. It is a must-see for any visitor to China. During the holidays, you can expect to wait a long time.
The Lama Temple
The Lama Temple in Beijing is one of the major attractions in the city. In fact, it is the largest imperial Tibetan Buddhist temple in the city. You can visit the temple any time of the year, but the best time to go is during the autumn.
Lama Temple is located in the northeastern part of Beijing. There are five main buildings that comprise the temple. However, visitors can also explore the side halls, which are worth seeing.
Lama Temple is a place where religious activities take place twice a month. These include the Great Wish Invocation Dharma Assembly. This assembly is an important event in the Gelugpa sect.
The Lama Temple is home to many Buddha statues. They are carved with great detail. It also has a number of archways that are constructed in traditional Tibetan style. Some of the buildings have golden roofs.
Another famous attraction is the Pavilion of Ten Thousand Happinesses. A six-meter bronze statue of Tsongkhapa is located here. Other attractions in this area are the Bell Tower and Drum Tower.
Visitors can also see the Discourse of Lama, a text inscribed in Han and Tibetan. Emperor Qianlong wrote it and he also carved the words on the stele.
Another notable item in the temple is the Wanfu Pavilion. This pavilion is the biggest of all the central buildings in the temple. It is surrounded by smoke and incense.
Jingshan Park
Jingshan Park is one of the most popular attractions in Beijing. This scenic park is located on Jingshan Hill, just north of the Forbidden City.
The park is well-known for its majestic views of the city. It is a favorite place for locals to relax. As well as being a popular spot for tourists, the park hosts many cultural and entertainment activities.
In addition to the majestic views, the park is also known for its beautiful flowers. During the spring, the park is home to thousands of peonies. There are over 20,000 of these colorful flowers, making it one of the largest peony rose gardens in the world.
Originally, the park was a private royal garden. Emperors used to visit the park to enjoy the scenery. However, with the passing of time, the park was turned into a public park.
Today, Jingshan Park is home to hundreds of local citizens. They often practice Taichi or write with water on the concrete.
A number of pavilions were built on the hill during the Qing Dynasty. Among them, the most important is the Wanchun Pavilion. This pavilion is situated in the center of the five summits of the hill. The Wanchun Pavilion is the perfect place to enjoy the panoramic view of the city.
Another important building in the park is the Qiwang Tower. This was built during the reign of Emperor Qianlong. Besides being a cultural exhibit site, the tower was also used to enshrine a memorial tablet to Confucius.
Shichahai
Shichahai is one of Beijing’s most popular attractions. This scenic area is a perfect destination for visitors looking to explore the rich history and culture of Beijing. The area consists of a large body of water, numerous historical and cultural sites, and well-preserved gardens.
One of the best things to do in the summer is to go boating in the lakes. There are three of them, Houhai (Back Sea), Xihai (West Sea), and Qianhai (Front Sea). You can take oar boats around the lakes to enjoy the sights and sounds.
Another popular activity is to visit the Hutongs. These quaint alleys are a good way to experience the life of local Beijingers. They usually include shops, restaurants, and courtyards.
Besides being a great place to soak in the history of Beijing, Shichahai is also a hot spot for nightlife. There are many chic bars, restaurants, and clubs.
For dinner, you may want to check out Kao Rou Ji, which serves roast meats. The restaurant has been in business for over 150 years. Some of the best foods to try here include lamb and duck. During the winter, you can also try ice skating.
Those who love the outdoors should also consider visiting the Beihai Park. It is a beautiful, classical garden and one of the best in China.
As a part of the park, you will find the Bell Tower, which was once used to announce the time. Visitors can also visit the Lotus Market.
798 Art Zone
798 Art Zone, also called Dashanzi Art District, is an important part of Beijing’s cultural scene. The district is home to numerous art galleries, cafes, and restaurants. It is also the location of the UCCA, an international contemporary arts institute.
Since the beginning of the 21st century, Beijing’s creative industries have grown in significance. Several areas have come into prominence, including the Creative Zone, which is now one of the most influential artistic quarters in the city. In 2008, there were more than 400 cultural institutions in the area, including several major art museums.
UCCA, the university of the arts, regularly hosts exhibitions and workshops. This includes the Left Hand – Right Hand, a display of Chinese and German sculptors.
Moreover, the UCCA is home to a large bookstore. Its most important function is education. At least two dozen schools are located within the art zone.
Another reason that the 798 Art District is a major tourist attraction is the fact that the site is close to the subway system. However, it is still best to take a taxi to get there.
One of the most famous landmarks in the district is the 798 Space building, which hosts a cinema and a bookstore. The former office section of the building is now a cafe.
Many of the buildings in the Art District are rented by artists. Some are quite rich, while others are small scale operators.