Beijing offers something for all ages and is an incredible blend of history and modern marvels, featuring palaces, Great Wall hiking and up-and-coming Beijing bands to explore.
Beijing tours often center around visiting Mutianyu section of the Great Wall, which boasts less crowding and is ideal for family outings. Also noteworthy: visiting Shichahai neighborhood’s hutongs that were once reserved as recreational spots for Ming Dynasty royals. Toronto to Beijing is a route available from Cathay Pacific right now.
The Forbidden City
Attractions such as the Forbidden City are always popular, so to ensure a stress-free visit make sure to book tickets ahead of time and dress comfortably with water bottle in hand.
As prices can be steep, it may be beneficial to pack some snacks prior to visiting.
Beijing offers many fascinating temples for travelers to discover during their trip, with Yonghe Temple featuring Buddhist statues and Tangkas to honour Bodhisattva Maitreya while providing an ideal mixture of Han and Tibetan Buddhism.
Tiananmen Square
Tiananmen Square is best experienced early in the morning when crowds are less dense. To avoid lengthy waits at entry gates, our partners at Beijing Highlights recommend making an advance reservation via them and selecting either regular opening hours or flag-raising ceremonies as times for your visit – for these special events separate tickets must be booked.
As you explore Tiananmen Square, keep an eye out for its breathtaking architecture. First constructed in 1651 and expanded to its present size in 1958, Tiananmen Square stands out as an architectural icon in Beijing. Bounded by Changan Avenue–the main road leading up to the Forbidden City–this gathering place for both Chinese and visitors is also popular among loungers or kite flyers during evening lounger sessions and is widely known as being symbolic of 1989 Tiananmen protests that were brutally suppressed by Chinese authorities.
The Great Wall
Beijing offers visitors one of China’s most iconic historic structures – The Great Wall – an unparalleled hiking experience and spectacular vistas over dramatic terrain. Badaling section, especially, is often included as part of any tour to this section, considered one of its core components and essential parts.
Comprised of a circular mound altar and many religious buildings, it offers visitors the chance to witness local life unfold or participate in traditional activities like Tai Chi or Chinese yo-yo.
Beihai Park (or White Dagoba) is another imperial garden located within Beijing that features multiple lakes for leisurely strolling or riding a bicycle. Furthermore, Beihai Park houses one of the world’s oldest and best-preserved ginkgo trees that serves as an important symbol for this city.
Visit Mutianyu Great Wall section (2 hours from central Beijing) for a less formal excursion, featuring cable cars up and down for easy accessibility and offering panoramic views. Unlike Badaling section, which can become very crowded during fall or spring seasons due to heavy crowds. Consider scheduling your visit during these seasons when contrast between shades of gray brick and nature’s vibrant hues makes an impressionable sight!
The Summer Palace
The Summer Palace features 700 acres of grounds encompassing a large lake, bonsai tree gardens and lavish pavilions. Notable landmarks include its western-style Marble Ship (Shifang) and Hall of Well-being and Longevity (Renshou Dian), with its ornate throne. Visitors should also stop by UNESCO-listed Temple of Heaven – where Emperors conducted ritual worship during Ming Dynasty rule – for an unforgettable visit experience.
The Temple of Heaven was designed with feng shui in mind and houses 13 tombs of past Chinese emperors, making it one of the top Beijing attractions. Visitors can stroll past western-styled Hall of Heavenly Peace, Happiness and Longevity Hall and 19th-century Great Theatre while other popular sites here include Song Qingling’s Residence who was married to Sun Yat-sen’s founder of China’s Republic; Mei LanfangGuju one of Peking Operas most celebrated male performers can also find their Living Quarters here!
Summer Palace boasts both cultural and modern buildings. National Stadium (GuojiaTiyuchang), better known as Bird’s Nest; and National Aquatics Center – popularly referred to as Water Cube; are particularly captivating at night when illuminated with their captivating light shows.
Beijing Capital Museum offers an outstanding collection of artifacts tracing Beijing and Imperial China history, such as porcelain wares, calligraphy works, paintings, bronzes and jade craftwork – not forgetting its exhibition about folk customs as well as an on-site recreation of a Hutong. Be sure to book tickets in advance online to secure entry without long queues!
The Winter Palace
History-lovers will find Beijing travel to be an exceptional experience. Beijing’s major landmarks – Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square and Great Wall – make for fascinating visits; these iconic attractions can all be visited for their distinctive features and rich histories. A day trip to scenic Fragrant Hills Park with its mountain peak that resembles an incense burner or Marco Polo Bridge can also provide enjoyable visits.
The Summer Palace is another must-visit attraction in Beijing. Spanning 700 acres, this sprawling park features scenic vistas and an inviting lake, which makes paddling boats accessible. Hikers can climb its stairways for breathtaking vantages, while in winter visitors rent ice skates or hybrid sled-bike hybrids for additional entertainment.
As part of your tour of Beijing, make sure to stop at the Temple of Heaven – this historic religious site was used by Ming and Qing dynasties emperors to worship their Gods. There are numerous beautiful ancient buildings dedicated to heaven worship here such as Circular Mound Altar and Imperial Vault of Heaven that date back centuries ago.
Peking opera offers an entertaining cultural experience for travelers in China. This art form blends music, dance, and theater into an incredibly entertaining show that’s often performed daily at Liyuan Theatre – which holds daily shows! Additionally, Mei Lanfang (an actor specializing in female roles who is famous in Peking opera) lived at his lavish residence nearby; 17th Century White Pagoda as well as Yonghe Temple–one of the largest Tibetan Buddhist Temples–is worth visiting for its wide array of Tangkas as well as other valuable cultural artifacts belonging to this temple!