Beijing, China (Point of interest)

Galleries, artists' studios, design companies, restaurants and bars proliferate in the trendy 798 District. Ideal for investigating Beijing's most promising artists, the district is the site of a cluster of state-owned factories, including Factory ... Continue reading →

Beijing's Ancient Observatory is one of the astronomical wonders of the world. It is also home to two ancient carved maps and 150 types of calendar calculators and clocks, including water clocks, reflecting humanity's interest in the passing of tim... Continue reading →

Over 1000 years old, Beijing's Beihai Park is an imperial garden that's home to pavilions and the tiled Nine-Dragon Screen Wall. Explore the park's vast lake by boat and head into the central island to visit the famed White Dagoba.... Continue reading →

Visitors sometimes think that seeing 'waxy Mao', who was embalmed against his own wishes, will be a kitsch experience. Whatever your thoughts on the great helmsman, there's still an atmosphere of serious reverence surrounding Chairman Mao's Mausole... Continue reading →

This striking north Beijing attraction features 55 village gardens designed in the folk styles of 55 Chinese ethnic groups. Performances are held nearly every day and there are regular festivals, like the Dai people's Water-Splashing Festival in Ju... Continue reading →

This vast collection of galleries and cafés in the Chaoyang district is well worth the long taxi ride. In a Soviet-designed former weapons factory, Factory 798 is the centre of China's modern art scene. Purchase a map when you arrive.... Continue reading →

Every morning, China's flag is raised above Tian'anmen Square in two minutes and seven seconds, the time it takes the sun to rise above the horizon. The poles around the flag's base represent the 56 ethnic groups living in China.... Continue reading →

Despite occasional scaffolding, the central Forbidden City is still China's most important, and arguably spectacular, tourist sight. It's vast and today houses the Palace Museum. Visit the artefact-filled East and West Galleries and the Treasure Ga... Continue reading →

The largest man-made construction ever built, parts of the ancient majesty of the Great Wall of China date back to the 7th century BC. Badaling is the closest part of the wall to Beijing and convenient for a short trip. Sections of the wall were a... Continue reading →

Beijing's fast-disappearing hutongs - tight, labyrinth alleyways lined with courtyard houses - are a must-see. Take a Hutong Tour by pedicab from Houhai Lake in Dongcheng around some of Beijing's most beautiful remaining houses. Hutongs developed ... Continue reading →

Jingshan Park is situated directly behind the Forbidden City and is a good place to visit after seeing the sights on Tian'anmen Square. The views of the old city and the surrounding areas from here are the best in Beijing. The park was created in ... Continue reading →

This tranquil venue in Houhai began as an imperial lamasery for the 'yellow hat' Lama sect of Buddhism. Around 70 monks still reside at Lama Temple. The Wanfu pavilion houses the world's largest carving from a single piece of wood.... Continue reading →

Renowned for the famous traveller's glowing description of it, Marco Polo Bridge (Lugou Qiao) was first built between 1189 and 1192 for Emperor Shizong. It is an architectural beauty of marble balustrades and almost 500 carved stone lions. It was ... Continue reading →

The National Art Museum of China in Dongcheng shows traditional Chinese art exhibitions and contemporary art shows. Not as edgy as the art in the Factory 798 art complex, the museum enjoys regular good collections from big-name artists.... Continue reading →

Designed by French architect Paul Andreu, the spectacular egg-shaped National Centre for Performing Arts in Xicheng opened in July 2007. There's an opera house, concert hall and two theatres, which host world-class opera, ballet, drama and Chinese ... Continue reading →

The perfect acoustics at the 1,428-seat Poly Theatre in Dongcheng have persuaded some of the best classical music, opera and ballet companies to come to Beijing. Verdi's La Traviata, Romeo and Juliet and the Nutcracker have all been performed.... Continue reading →

Formerly occupied by Guangxu emperor's son Prince Gong, this impressive Imperial mansion in Xicheng has a fascinating history. A labyrinth of pavilions and rockeries, Prince Gong's Mansion also hosts short performances of acrobatics.... Continue reading →

It's worth the 121km journey to this stretch of the Great Wall in Gubeikou Town just to beat the crowds. This beautiful section of the Simatai Great Wall features the must-sees Stairway to Heaven and Fairy Tower.... Continue reading →

This exquisite palace in Haidian is set at the foot of the Western Hills, surrounded by Kunming Lake. The Summer Palace features some of Beijing's most beautiful Qing dynasty architecture, which can also be seen by climbing nearby Longevity Hill. ... Continue reading →