Beijing’s Attractions
Beijing is the capital city of the People’s Republic of China. The city, which is in the northern part of the country, is the center of many important industries that range from communication to international trade. Its history is closely tied to that of all of China, for it is among the six ancient cities in the country. Its historical and modern importance as a city will give any visitor ample things to visit.
There are many things to do and many places to visit in Beijing. The following are some of the attractions that you should consider including in your itinerary.
The Great Wall
This imposing wall is probably the best known feature in China, featuring amongst the Seven Wonders of the World. The Great Wall is as great as its name, covering five different provinces. It was erected to keep the inhabitants from moving out of the city and to provide protection against invaders. It was started by the first emperor of the Qin Dynasty, Qinshihuang, after the unification of the entire country.
From the downtown parts of Beijing, you can climb the Badaling Great Wall, reinforced by the Ming Dynasty to keep out the Mongolian people. UNESCO listed it among the World Cultural Heritage Sites in 1988, although the State Council had previously approved its protection in 1961. It winds its way through the country like a great dragon for more than 70 kilometers.
The Forbidden City
This is not only the best-preserved but also the largest imperial palace in the world. The complex has 9,999 rooms that served as the country’s center of administration for five centuries during both the Qin and Ming dynasties. The city, known as Gu Gong in Chinese, is divided into two sections. The emperor resided in the Inner Court (the northern part) and exercised his power in the Outer Court (the southern part). It has unique constructions of both walls and roofs that are best appreciated at close range. The Forbidden City currently serves as the Palace Museum.
The Imperial Gardens & Mausoleums
Given the fact that Beijing served as the center of administration for different dynasties, it does not just have imperial palaces but also imperial gardens that are a beauty to behold. The emperors also erected mausoleums such as the Ming Tombs where the 13 emperors were buried.
Magnificent Temples
Religion was closely associated with imperial power, and Beijing therefore has a number of great temples, with the largest being the Temple of Heaven. The emperors paid homage to Heaven’s glory in this temple. Other temples include the Alter of Earth and Great Bell Temple, where the emperors worshipped the god of the earth and prayed for rain respectively.
Parks
Get some peaceful moments by visiting the various parks in Beijing. Jingshan Park is just behind the Forbidden city, where you will have a great overview of Beijing as a whole. The park used to be an imperial garden. Other parks worth visiting include Taoranting Park, Yuyuantan Park, Fenghuangling Nature Park, Chaoyang Park, and Xishan National Forest Park.
Beijing’s Attractions is a travel guide from Tripopedia, a travel encyclopedia. This article was submitted under Beijing travel guides.