Beijing is the capital of the China, officially known as the People’s Republic of China. Having travelled to this city three times, I have visited more than once many of Beijing’s attractions. There is so much to do and to see in Beijing that I have compiled a list of the 10 best places to visit in Beijing, China.
1. Great Wall of China
If there is one thing to visit when in Beijing, it has to be the Great Wall of China. It is one of the 7 wonders of the world, and once you get there, you will understand why. Did you know that it is over 20 000 km long?
The Great Wall of China isn’t located inside of Beijing, but rather an approximate 2 hour drive from Beijing. There are a few ways for you to get there such as by renting a car or by going with a tour. When I visited the Great Wall, I went with family, so it was very convenient to get to. However, if I were to go again solo, I would go with this tour. It is such a good deal and it includes transfer to and from the Great Wall of China, an entry ticket to the Great Wall, a guide, and much more.
2. Forbidden City (Palace Museum)
The Forbidden City, also known as the Palace Museum, is a palace in the center of Beijing. It was built a long long time ago, in the 1400s. In the Forbidden City, you will find various temples and gardens. Some of the temples and gardens include the Imperial Ancestral Temple and Beihai Park. The Forbidden City was the political center of the Chinese government for many years.
To get to the Forbidden City, you can take the public transit, which is very accessible the various points in Beijing. If you would feel more comfortable going with a guide or with a group, I recommend this tour. It also includes a visit to Tian’anmen Square. What’s great about this tour is that you will have a guide that can help you understand the rich history of this place.
If you would like a more private experience and skip the crowds, then you can go on your own, which is what I did. Make sure to get there before 8:30 am, which is when it opens. After 9:00 am, the Forbidden City gets super crowded.
3. Summer Palace
The Summer Palace is an area in Beijing filled with lakes, gardens and palaces. Anciently, this is where the royal family of Beijing would spend some their time during the summer.
If you would like to visit with a group, I recommend these tours. The Summer Palace is also accessible via public transit. When I went, I did not go with a tour. There is an entry fee of 30 RMB during peak season and of 20 RMB during off season. The area is super big so I recommend take your time to explore and relax in this beautiful garden.
4. Temple of Heaven
The Temple of Heaven is the largest worship temple in China. With its gorgeous details on its roofs and walls, it is a must see when in Beijing.
The Temple of Heaven is open from 6:00 am to 8:00 pm. After 7:00 am, it gets very crowded, so if you would like to have the place for yourself, I recommend getting here at opening time. If you don’t mind the crowds, then you can come anytime during their opening hours.
Click here to get your admission tickets to the Temple of Heaven. You can also find various tours if you prefer going with a knowledgeable guide.
5. Tian’anmen Square
The Tian’anmen Square is the city square in Beijing. This square is a place filled with a lot of history, where many protests have happened. It is right next to the Forbidden City, so I recommend to visit right after touring the Forbidden City.
To visit the Tian’anmen Square, it is free. If you would like to go with a guide/tour to learn more about the history, I highly recommend this tour. Beijing has so much history that can be difficult to understand at times for a first timer, so having a guide with you can be really helpful.
6. Beijing Zoo
There are many animals that you can see at the Beijing Zoo, but the one thing that most people come here for are PANDAS. It has 8 pandas in its zoo. It is the only place to see pandas in Beijing. They are so adorable and a must if you have never seen them!
The entrance to the Zoo and the Panda House (make sure to get the combo of both if you want to see the pandas!) is 20.00 CNY, which is equivalent to approximately 4.00 CAD.
7. Beijing National Stadium
The Beijing National Stadium was built to host their first olympics, the 2008 Summer Olympics. They also went on to host the 2022 Winter Olympics. Outside of the stadium, you can find their mascots for the 2008 Olympics. The stadium also has a fascinating architecture, perfect for photography lovers.
If you would like to enter the stadium, there is an entry fee of 50 RMB.
8. HaiDiLao Hot Pot
When in Beijing (or anywhere in China), trying Hot Pot is a must. HaiDiLao is one of China’s most famous hot pot companies. They offer an incredible experience with a variety of food choices, sauces, snacks, performances, and much more.
The concept of hot pot is that you will have a big pot with boiling water, and you can select different broths and the number of broths desired for your pot (ex: tomato, spicy, chicken, etc.). You then order various ingredients such as meat, fish, vegetables, etc. You then cook the ingredients into the boiling pot and once cooked, you eat the food after dipping it in a sauce that you choose.
There are various locations that have HaiDiLao Hot Pot and they are all amazing. You can pick the one that is the most convenient for you.
9. China Central Television Headquarters
The China Central Television Headquarters has some fascinating architecture. However, visitors are not allowed to visit the China Central Television Headquarters. The building is more known for its outside view due to its design.
You can view the China Central Television Headquarters from the ground level, or you can also go in one of the neighbouring buildings, where they have restaurants and terrasses. In fact, I took the picture above on the terrasse of a restaurant, which had the perfect view of the China Central Television Headquarters.
10. 798 Art Zone
The 798 Art Zone is an area with a lot of contemporary Chinese art. The area is very big, and you can find so many different galleries that display unique art. There are also restaurants and shops around, so if you would like to rest, it won’t be a problem.
This place is perfect for art lovers. There is no entry fee. It is just an open area for everyone to come visit. Of course, if you would like to buy some of the art, it will be at your own expense.
Jessie Across the World 