City: Beijing
Top Things to do in Beijing
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10 Things to do Good for Kids in Beijing That You Shouldn't Miss
Welcome to a capital city whose story goes back at least 3000 years. In Beijing, you'll find a wealth of history, both ancient (the Hall of Preserving Harmony, Summer Palace, Forbidden City) and more recent (Chairman Mao Memorial Hall, Tiananmen Square). For the best market experience, choose the Dirt Market over the touristy Silk Market. A visit to the Great Wall, the longest manmade structure in the world, is absolutely essential.
Restaurants in Beijing
1. Temple of Heaven
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 12,200 reviews
Built in 1420 with a total area of 270 acres, this is the largest building for religious worship in China, which was originally used by the Ming and Qing emperors to pay homage to Heaven and to pray for a year of rich harvest.
Reviewed By abchester - Chester, United Kingdom
A fascinating place to visit and marvel at the woodwork and painting, all set in beautiful grounds with locals happily playing cards, exercising or knitting.
2. Lama Temple (Yonghegong)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4,205 reviews
A series of beautiful pavilions comprise this Mongolian-Tibetan yellow-sect temple, which features an impressive fifty-four-foot high Buddha carved from one piece of Tibetan sandalwood.
Reviewed By PBlyth - Tampa, United States
This is one of the finest examples of a functioning Buddhist temple you will find in China. You will see many monks and worshippers burning incense to Buddha and get to walk in and through a number of buildings that the Emperor actually lived in during the 1750's AD. There are many different Buddhist statutes but the most impressive of all is a 50 ft tall wooden Buddha carved from a single sandlewood tree trunk. It is so big that the building had to be built around the Buddha after it had been moved into pace. Worth a look.
3. Beihai Park (Beihai Gongyuan)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,353 reviews
Kubla Khan in 1260 took up residence in this palace, which today is a 168-acre park filled with historic buildings, restaurants and a lake.
Reviewed By jacksonleungcs - Singapore, Singapore
The park was built as part of the Imperial City of Yuan's new capital Dadu during the reign of Kublai Khan. I will recommend you make this as part of the Forbidden city tour. So when you exit 紫禁城, you get across to Jingshan Park via the underground connect and take a bird eye view of both the Forbidden city and the white tower of Beihai park before you get out from the east exit of Jiang Shan park and then walk 10 mins on foot to get to the Beihai park. While you are in the park, do take time to visit the Kuaixuetang Calligraphy Museum which built in 1775 with two halls in its courtyard. The structures was connected by painted verandas, on the eastern and western sides of which over 100 pieces of handwritings of 20 calligrapher living between the forth to the fourteenth century are showed ( see pix attached)..
4. Jingshan Park (Jingshan Gongyuan)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,956 reviews
Located on the highest point in Beijing City, this park was built in 1179 during the Jin Dynasty and today provides visitors with sweeping views of the Forbidden City located below.
Reviewed By G6426FManthonys - Brisbane, Australia
At 45 metres high it is about the highest point in Beijing and worth the short climb to be able to see the gleaming roofs of the Forbidden City below.
5. Ritan Park (Ritan Gongyuan)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 259 reviews
Built in 1530, this is one of the oldest parks in Beijing that once served as an altar site where the emperor made sacrificial offerings to the sun god.
6. Tian'anmen
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,369 reviews
Reviewed By njcavalier - Chatham, United States
Across from historic Tiananmen Square, the Gate of Heavenly Peace (Tiananmen) stands as the main entranceway for visitors to The Forbidden City. Once the domain of the emperor and his court, The Forbidden City is now a palace museum, a reminder of China's imperial past. But above the Gate, a huge portrait of Chairman Mao looks out onto the Square, a reminder that this is no longer imperial China but the Communist China proclaimed by Mao in the Square nearly 70 years ago. The Gate, the red walls around it and the imposing portrait of Mao above are iconic symbols of China. Try not taking lots of photos in the direction of the Gate on a first visit to Tiananmen Square!
7. Zhongshan Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 332 reviews
Reviewed By 395ruthp - Hong Kong, China
Serene and relaxing park when we went--not that many people there, despite it being right next door to the forbidden city.
8. Long Corridor at the Summer Palace
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,396 reviews
Reviewed By BillPNo1 - Friendswood, United States
We visited the Long Corridor of the Summer Palace and walked its entire length when we visited the Summer Palace. The Long Corridor - which runs from the central area of the palace grounds to the furthest tip of the grounds area - was fascinating because each section of the overhead, along the entire length is individually decorated and painted. It is quite interesting and beautifully done and definitely must be seen to be appreciated.
9. Beijing Capital Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 383 reviews
Fantastic building filled with exhibitions and amazing displays. 5 floors of unique Chinese art not to be missed.
Reviewed By PipPaul - Buckfastleigh, United Kingdom
Despite being one of those modern museums where more volume is given to 'empty space' rather than exhibits we really liked this museum. Had some interesting exhibits and collections without being really stuffed to the gunnels with stuff Felt we saw better pottery and jade than we did in the State Museum. The Beijing Folk and the Beijing timeline sections were exceptional too. No floor plan as such but the map boards helped. Plenty enough English to know what was happening
10. Olympic Forest Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 250 reviews
Reviewed By jrtaylorfl - Wesley Chapel, United States
It was a great experience to walk around Olympic Forest Park. The Bird's Nest and Olympic torch were great to observe first hand. The engraved wall with all the Special Olympian's names was a special sight to see and experience. This is a relaxing way to spend some time in Beijing.
