Beijing was the country's capital city for the reign of 6 dynasties, most notably the glorious time of the Mings and the Qings. Seen from the sky, it shows a dignified architecture from the age of the emperors. Of the city's monuments, the most famous is probably Gu Gong( The Forbidden City). Proudly symbolizing Chinese architecture, it is also the most reliable witness of Chinese history.
Yiheyuan (Summer palace) is the home of a number of palaces, gardens, and other classical style buildings. Craftsmen reproduce the landscaping of many different palaces of China, Tian Tan (Heaven Temple) is the witness of old sacrifices. During the Ming and Qing times, it was a sacrificial place, where emperors prayed for a good harvest. Shishan Ling (the Ming Tombs) is the most important imperial necropolis of China. It is the home of 13 Ming dynasty emperors.
The Great Wall is a defensive fortification, considered as the largest human construction in terms of length, surface and mass. Since 1987, it has been listed on the UNESCO world heritage list. Religious buildings also had a very important role in Chinese architecture history, such as Bai yun temple (white clouds temple) and the Yonghegong ( lama temple). Tiananmen Square, considered as the largest square in the world, is the central point of the city. It has a capacity of over a million people.
Qianmen Dashilan is an unmissable place if you want memories of a traditional Beijing. It is the most ancient and interesting street in Beijing. Many old shops can be found on the street.
There is also Liulichang (artisanal varnish centre) which specialises in antique. You can also find art galleries and libraries on this street. If you want more antiques, you can go to Panjiayuan. This market is full of treasures and can satisfy the most demanding of antique collectors. Watch out for counterfeits though!
However, Beijing is, in the end, an ancient city and also the capital of very large country. As a result, it is difficult to write a short ``must see`` list. Everybody can find something to interest them. Therefore, we invite you to skim through this section so you can get to know the city better and understand what the main attractions are. Just don't forget that in the run up to the Beijing Olympics in 2008 the city will be doing her best to show you what she's made of. Don't miss out!
Sign in
