Yonghe Gong - Tibetan Lama Temple Yonghegong Dajie A little touristy, but worth the journey for the colorful halls, mandalas and notable display of statuary.

The Great Wall Well recognized throughout the world, China’s Great Wall is a symbol of the ancient Chinese culture and civilization. Originally the wall was built as a means of defending the city.

Palace Museum of Beijing The Forbidden City - Imperial palaces 6513-1892 Twenty-four emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties lived in this palace city, officially making it the home of China’s emperors for five centuries.  The Palace Museum, formerly known as the Forbidden City, lies in the heart of modern Beijing. Built in the early 1400’s, the structure is impressive with more than 9,000 rooms and halls containing many precious relics – making it the largest architectural palace in the world.

Ming Tombs The Ming Tombs are located one an area measuring about 40 square kms.  The mausoleum houses 13 Ming emperors. Of the tombs only two are actually open to the public.  The most famous and perhaps the most thrilling is the Dingling.  Curious enough, Dingling is practically an underground palace.

Tian'anmen Square Tian'anmen Square is located in the heart of Beijing.  Tian'anmen Square is noted as one of the largest parks as well as one of the largest city squares in the world.  The history of the square dates back to the Ming and Qing dynasties, when Tian'anmen was the front gateway to the imperial palace.

The Temple of Heaven Tiantan Road and Chongwenmenwai Street Chongwen District 6702-8866 Located on Tiantan Park, this dazzling temple built in 1420 is said to be the place where emperors if the Ming and Qing dynasties would pray to Heaven. As stories tell it, the emperors would perform ceremonies in honor of the god of harvests – this would be done in order for good harvests that season. The Temple’s primary structure has become a well-recognized symbol of Beijing.

Yonghegong Lamasery Yonghegong Lamasery was built in 1694. Its structure resides as one of the largest lamaseries in Beijing.

Coal Hill (Jing Shan Park) A royal garden of the Ming and Qing dynasties, Jingshan Park was formed from the soil excavated to create the moat around the Forbidden City.  It is one of the best places for a panoramic view of the whole city. The Ten Thousand Springs Pavilion is located at its summit.

Beihai Park Another imperial garden, the Beihai Park was the imperial garden of the Liao, Jin, Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties. It is noted as one of the oldest of the Chinese gardens.

Yuanmingyuan Yuanmingyuan was once an impressive imperial palace built during the Qing Dynasty. Unfortunately, all that remains of the palace is ruins. The grounds of Yuanmingyuan are well preserved and open to the public.

Beijing Zoo 137 Xizhimenwai, Xicheng District 6831-4411 The Beijing Zoo is the oldest zoo in China. Some 5,000 animals live there and features a wide variety of animals.  The panda house is the only place in Beijing where visitors can see giant pandas.  Some of the animals that are featured are the golden monkey, the white-lipped deer, the red-crowned crane, and many other rare animals from all over the world.

Marco Polo Bridge This structure was erected in 1189. It is the oldest and grandest arch bridge in Beijing

Hutongs A hutong is a kind of street lined on both sides by courtyards containing compound houses. Hutongs are a special feature of downtown Beijing. The hutongs (alleyways) were created by the traditional Beijing courtyard-style architecture

Museum of Chinese History 6512-8986 Located just off the northeast corner of Tiananmen Square, this museum displays more than 9,000 ancient Chinese relics, including bronze pieces dating back 5,000 years. The museum shares the same building as the Museum of the Chinese Revolution. This museum features cultural artifacts from 1919 to 1949.

Beijing Amusement Park 1 Zuoanmennei Dajie Chongwen District 6711-1155. Beijing Amusement Park, in Longtan Park, has live entertainment, rides, a water-screen show, paddleboats, bumper cars and roller coasters.

Capital Museum (Confucius Temple) Guozijian Jie, Andingmennei, Dongcheng 6401-2118 In a former imperial temple and Confucian civil-service university, this was where China’s best and brightest came to serve the state

Blue Zoo Beijing (Gongti Nanlu), Chaoyang District 6593-5263 This international-class aquarium is great for the kids. The main attraction is a 140-yard-/130-meter-long moving walkway that swirls around underneath the main tank, with sharks swimming overhead. The museum focuses on such marine issues in China as the damming of the Yangtze River and the slaughter of sharks for shark-fin soup.

Miraculous Amusement Palace Chaoyang Park Chaoyang District 6506-6382 Wax exhibitions and scenery depict episodes from the famous Chinese story A Journey to the West, featuring the monk, the pig, the monkey and the warrior. 

Beijing Museum of Natural History 126 Tianqiao Nandajie Chongwen District 6702-4431 The largest of its kind in China, this museum contains fossils or specimens of almost all plants and animals found in China.

The Central Park of Beijing 1 Wenjin St., Xicheng District 6404-0610. Beihai Park has an 800-year history as the royal garden of the Jin, Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties. The park is grand and sprawling, with some beautiful plantings, a lake and paddleboats for rent.

Beijing Recreation Center Beisihuanzhong Road, Andingmenwai 6499-3434 Watery fun including a wave pool, simulated river, three slides and a “fast slippery dip” (a steep water slide).  A sports complex provides bowling, squash, tennis, roller-skating, disco dancing, billiards and a sauna.

Chinese Geology Museum 15 Yangrou Hutong Xisi Nandajie 6617-6387 Chinese Geology Museum displays minerals, gems and Paleozoic plants and plenty of animals.  A great place for family fun!

China Art Gallery China’s national museum of art has permanent displays of works by Chinese artists and frequent shows by foreign artists.