Beijing, a dynamic city where the traditional and modern cultures blend, remains as a magnet for visitors from inside and outside China. Taking a visit to those museums, antique markets and parks abound in the city will help you understand better Beijing's past and present. Beijing Opera houses and acrobatic troupes are the places where could enjoy those traditional entertainment forms. Numerous music clubs, ballrooms, beer and coffee bars reflects the cultural diversity of the city .

 

 

 

The Great Wall, a symbol of China's ancient civilization, is one of the world's most renowned construction projects. It lies 75 kilometers northwest of Beijing. The wall extends for a good 12,000 Li (6,000 Kilometers) from its origin at the seaside in Shanhaiguan Pass (the Old Dragon Head) in the east of the country all the way to Jiayuguan Pass in Gansu province in the west of China. Its highest point at Badaling is some 800 meters above sea level.

 

Construction of the Wall first began almost 2,500 years ago during the period of the Warring States (476 - 221 BC). Historical records show that it was such a massive project that about 1 million people, one-fifth of China's population at that time, were involved in the project which took more than ten years. We call it "Wan Li Chang Cheng" which means "Ten Thousand-Li-Long Wall".

 

 

 

The Hongluo Temple is located at the foot of the Hongluo Mount 7 kilometers northwest of Huairou County, neighboring Shunyi County in the northwest. The local people called it Hongluo Temple for the beautiful legend of the Fairy Hongluo. For a thousand years, the Hongluo Temple is the largest Holy land of Buddhism in the North China. It has been listed as one of the important cultural relics under Beijing Municipality protection.

 

In the Temple, there is a spring called Spring of Pearl where pearl-like bubbles rise in the clear spring water. South of the Temple, visitor can go boating, swimming and fishing in the Hongluo Reservoir. There are old trees in the yard.  The Chinese wisteria parasitized with pine trees, the intergrowth of male and female ginkgoes and the green bamboo are said to be the "Three Matchless Sceneries" in Beijing.

 

In the past, senior Buddhist monks from Japan and Southeastern countries often went on a pilgrimage and studied Buddhist scripture here. Emperors even came here to worship. Hence, the temple became well known both at home and abroad.

 

 

 

It is also called the Palace Museum. It is the largest and most well preserved imperial residence in China today. Construction began under Ming Emperor Yongle in 1406 and it took 14 years to complete the project. The Forbidden City was the seat of imperial power for 500 years and is now a major tourist attraction in China. There said to be all together 9,999 rooms in this royal palace. And countless cultural relics and treasures can be found in this magnificent Museum

 

There are many nice souvenir shops in the Forbidden City and bargaining is allowed. In 1987, the UNESCO recognized the Forbidden City as a world cultural heritage.

 

 

 

Summer Palace is one of the top tourist spots in Beijing. Originally, it was a retreat for emperors to escape the summer heat of Beijing. The park of Summer Palace is huge, most of it being taken up by Kunming Lake. Along the shore is the famous Long Corridor with scenes from various Chinese mythical and traditional tales painted on the beams and columns. It is listed in the Guinness Book of the World Records as the "longest painted corridor in the world."Also on the shore of the lake is the Marble Boat, a large, boat-shaped marble pavilion which lies in the shallow water just off the shore. In the north part of the park is the Suzhou Street, where there are traditional styled tea houses and snack shops for visitors.

 

 

 

Built between 1406 and 1420, Temple of Heaven is one of Beijing's most impressive parks in terms of architecture. The Temple is basically a huge altar which the Emperors used to communicate with Heaven. Several times a year, the Emperor would come here to pray for good harvests, enough rain and other heavenly boons. The Hall of Pray for Good Harvests is a wonder in the history of construction, which is wooden structure built without a single nail. The temple consists of four parts: the Round Altar, the Echo Wall, the Imperial Vault of Heaven, and the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests.

 

 

 

It is a very pleasant scenic sport in the center of Beijing, including Qianhai (front lake), Houhai (Back lake) and Xihai (West lake). It is the best tourist area in downtown Beijing where you can see much of the old Beijing. In summer, the lakes are filled with lotus flowers and in winter they become natural skating grounds. Along the banks are old residences for royal families and celebrities, and well-kept Siheyuan (quadrangle) traditional homes for ordinary people. Here, you can look around in the Palace of Prince Gong, and former residences of Song Qingling and Guo Moruo, and you may also take a stroll at the Shichahai Antique Market (local people call it Lotus Market) and taste the local snacks. If you have time, climbing up the Drum and Bell Tower where you can have a nice view of old city.