City: Beijing
Top Things to do in Beijing
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What to do and see in Beijing, China: The Best Free Things to do
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. 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.
2. 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!
3. Zizhuyuan Gongyuan (Black Bamboo Park)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 111 reviews
Reviewed By KodoDrummer - Yekaterinburg, Russia
This large Chinese-style peaceful park is also known as Black Bamboo Park and Purple Bamboo Park. Nice walking, jogging and biking trails. Love the lotus bridge. The bamboo name comes from part of its forest,
4. Tsinghua University
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 337 reviews
Reviewed By Harring10 - Athens, United States
In my opinion, it is the top university of China. Very excellent students and faculty work there. Also, nice for tourists to walk around but do not be surprised to see many tour buses of people to come and visit.
5. Peking University (Beijing Da Xue)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 231 reviews
Reviewed By KodoDrummer - Yekaterinburg, Russia
Peking University is ranked as one of the top two in China (the other being Tsinghua University) and Is also a C9 League university (The Top 9 in China.), giving it favourable status for government funding. It was established in 1898 and has over 42,000 students. The campus used to be the garden of the Ming and Qing dynasties and thus is rich in architecture (such as beautiful pagodas) and history. I’m attaching photos of the university’s west gate, which is one of its major symbols.
6. 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
7. 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.
8. 798 Art Zone
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,373 reviews
This bustling area is a hub for contemporary Chinese art with a wide array of different styles. This old factory compound has been perfectly converted to house numerous galleries and bookshops & cafes.
Reviewed By TheOExpress - Hong Kong, China
...during the day at least. At night it becomes eerily quiet, although that can be nice too as it affords some time to explore in peace and quiet. Anyway, back to why it’s so special: East London and Brooklyn have nothing on the industrial chic of this article zone’, in terms of either scale or quality. The array of art galleries and amazing spaces is just breathtaking. Once you’ve seen the Wall and the Forbidden City, come here.
9. Yandai Xie Street
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 202 reviews
Beijing's oldest commercial street, just a block off pretty lake Houhai, is lined in traditional-style stone buildings that house charming souvenir and handicraft shops.
Reviewed By sgken8 - Singapore, Singapore
Was told by a local that the 2 or 3 streets of acoustic bars, restaurants and cafes has been there since 2000. All Chinese songs though and I think all are local musicians or wannabes but it' all good. You'll get to hear both the evergreens and latest songs. The streets border a huge lake which is said to have been around since time in memorial. What you see in the day will be vastly different to what you will experience at night.
10. Bairong International Flea Market
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