The Great Wall of China
How to pass through Beijing without visiting one of the seven wonders of the world? This wall which is 6,000 kilometers long will leave you speechless, in addition to its spectacular military fortification, it offers breathtaking views of Beijing, enough to keep beautiful memories. Go for a walk on the biggest wall in the world, especially in Mutianyu, or in Jiankou for the most athletic among you!
Explore the Forbidden City
Let’s continue our list with the Forbidden City of Beijing. Now called the Palace Museum, the Forbidden City is home to artistic and cultural treasures of Chinese history. The City was classified by UNESCO as a world cultural heritage site in 1987. The city was the former imperial palace of two Chinese dynasties.This place is a mixture of luxury and beauty, the Forbidden City of Beijing is a thrilling adventure not to be missed.
Tian’anmen Square
Come and discover this gigantic square that can accommodate up to one million people in its 440k square meters. A must-see place in Beijing, this square has a rich architectural history and even hosts the military parade of the Chinese National Day. Not far from the Forbidden City, it is an opportunity to relax in this public square right after visiting the museum. Unless you are a morning person, you will have the opportunity to watch the flag raising!
The National Museum of China
No matter the weather, Beijing is a city full of treasures and history, so whether it’s snowing or raining, be sure to visit the National Museum of China and discover China’s rich culture and history. This museum is one of the 10 monuments that were built on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. 200,000 square metres of art and history not to be missed.
Beijing Opera House
In our Top 10 things to do in Beijing, we have chosen the Beijing Opera, which mixes art, aesthetics and traditions. The traditional Chinese art shows are a pleasure for the eyes, and a treasure of Chinese culture, it occupies a great place in the Chinese culture, and is part of the list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity of UNESCO, since 2010. The costumes, the make-up, the masks, the choreography, are literally an aesthetic nourished by the Chinese tradition, that makes the Peking Opera a refined pleasure.
The Temple of Heaven
One of the most sacred monuments of Beijing is the Temple of Heaven; for the record, the temple was built in 1420 according to the principles of Chinese cosmology, considered as a passage to another world. The emperors used to celebrate ancient rites and sacrifices here. This Chinese architectural work will leave you speechless. Soak up the Chinese culture and traditions in this majestic place.
After your visit, take a walk in the park surrounding the temple, if you go early enough, you will be able to see the habits of the Chinese, tai-chi, dance, chess games and many others.
The Hutongs of Beijing
Go for a walk in the Hutongs, the traditional neighborhoods of Beijing, with your partner or family. This timeless place that makes you lose track of time, are neighborhoods that form a labyrinth, paved with small warm alleys, eight hundred years old. Stroll in the Hutongs and discover the Chinese in their daily life, an opportunity to immerse yourself in this culture so different from the West.
The northwest of the Forbidden City has the most Hutongs in Beijing, so it won’t be hard to find them on your itinerary, but you can go there by bike, and it’s certainly the best idea if you want to make the most of it.
Taste the Peking Duck of Beijing
This is the opportunity to taste this monument of Chinese cuisine! The famous Peking duck is a traditional Beijing recipe, which appeared during the Ming dynasty. Many restaurants offer Peking duck on the menu, impossible to leave Beijing without tasting this emblematic dish, in its city of origin.
The Beijing Aquarium
In our list, we suggest an activity for young and old, the Beijing Aquarium. What could be better than to observe the varieties of marine mammals with your family, in the biggest aquarium of China. You will find beluga whales, sharks and dolphins and many more species!
