Beijing is a breathtaking city. It was our first contact with China and probably the biggest cultural impact. Everything is huge; there is people everywhere; the streets are confusing (not to mention if you get lost in a hutong!); almost no one speaks English; the smell is not appealing at all; sky is covered in smog… And we loved it!
Of all the cities that we visited in China, this was the one with the best “Chinese feel”. If you really want to understand how Chinese live, then Beijing is the place to go. It is probably the most historical city, with lots of palaces and monuments from Imperial times.
Below you’ll find some of the attractions you cannot miss when you visit. You can also read our suggested itinerary for 3 Days in Beijing.
Attractions
Tiananmen Square: Main square of Beijing, witness of many historical events and home to several government buildings.
Forbidden City: The old Imperial Palace from Ming and Qing dinasties, you can now walk through all its halls and courtyards just like the Emperors once did.
Great Wall of China: One of the Wonders of the World and probably the most breathtaking place we’ve been to so far.
Summer Palace: Visit the lake and gardens where the Imperial family spent their summers.
Temple of Heaven: one of the most important religious places in Beijing.
Lama Temple: a former Imperial Palace that now serves as a Buddhist Monastery.
Hutongs: stroll around the labyrinth of alleyways filled with traditional homes, restaurants and shops.
Olympic Park: check out the major sports venue where the 2008 Olympic Games took place.