Beijing
The Forbidden City
Summer Palace
The Temple of Heaven
The Great Wall
As the capital of the People’s Republic of China, Beijing is the nation’s political, economic, cultural, and educational centre as well as being the most important centre in China for international trade and communications. It has been the heart and soul of politics and society throughout its long history. Beijing’s long and illustrious history starts approximately 500,000 years ago. It is here that the ancestors of modern Homo sapiens, Peking men, lived in caves. Records show that Beijing has been an inhabited city for more than three thousand years and has lived through invasions, devastating fires, dynasties, warlords, Anglo-French troops, and has emerged each time as a strong and vibrant city. For more than 800 years, Beijing was a capital city – from Yuan Dynasty to the Ming and Qing dynasties. Thirty-four emperors have lived and ruled from Beijing and it has been an important trading city from earliest days. Although now Beijing is modern, fashionable and full of 21st century vitality, you can experience authentic Beijing life become acquainted with “old Beijing” by exploring the many tea houses, Hutongs, temple fares, Beijing operas, courtyards and cross-talks.
The Forbidden City is the world’s largest and best-preserved imperial palace complex with 9,999 rooms surrounded by a moat that is six metres deep and a ten-metre high wall.
Beihai Park, which did the Great Khan probably build centuries earlier than the Forbidden City was enjoyed by the various rulers of China for hundreds of years and features pavilions, architecturally interesting walkways, the 27-meter-long Nine Dragon Screen (built to scare off evil spirits), a jar that is the last remnant of the Khan’s court that had been there, the Five Dragon Pavilion dating from the mid 1600’s, and a large lake with an island in the middle.
Summer Palace is a famous classic imperial garden with breathtaking beauty. Bold, and generously designed, the northern gardens skilfully blend into the exquisite delicacy of the southern gardens.
The Temple of Heaven is the largest group of structures in the country dedicated to rituals that pay homage to heaven. This temple was built specifically for the worship of heaven and prayers for good harvests during the time of the Ming and Qing dynasties.
The Yunju Temple houses the most fascinating stone inscriptions of Buddhist scriptures in the world
The White Cloud Taoist Temple is one of the oldest and still the most active of Taoist temples in Beijing.
The Confucius Temple. Visiting this temple can help elucidate the three primary philosophies that formed the basis for early Chinese life and culture.
Tian’anmen Square, the largest city central square in the world is not only the symbol of Beijing but also the symbol of China. The square is surrounded by a variety of significant edifices: Chinese Revolution History Museum, Mao Mausoleum, Great Hall of the People, the elegant and beautiful Tiananmen (Heavenly Peace Gate), and Qianmen (Front Gate).
The Great Wall is one of the eight wonders of the world and is the only manmade structure that is visible from the moon. This immense wall was built to keep out invaders as well as to retain the inhabitants.
Other famous Beijing attractions include the Ming Tombs, the burial site of 13 ancient emperors; Confucius Temple and Imperial College; the Drum Tower built in the 1400’s; Tiantan Park with its excellent Ming architecture; Fragrant Hills Park; the Ancient Observatory that dates back to the days of Kublai Khan; The Silk Market; Botanical Gardens; the Indian-designed Azure Clouds Temple and many, many more wondrous places.