Before planning your trip to the city and you fly into Beijing, it is important to decide on the time of year and weather conditions. Winters can be cold and summers can be hot, so plan your activities accordingly to choose the right Cathay Pacific flight. The best times to travel to Beijing are the fall and spring months. The smog levels are low during these seasons, so you can enjoy the sights without worrying about the smog.
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Tiananmen Square
Tiananmen Square is an iconic landmark in Beijing. This historic square is filled with culture and history. To learn about this history, it is necessary to travel with a professional guide. Contact Beijing Travel Guide for a tailor-made tour of this important city landmark. Tiananmen Square is home to the Mausoleum of Mao Zedong, which stands 40 meters tall. The square also includes the Front Gate, which was built in the early 15th century under the Yongle emperor.
In 1989, a massive crowd of one million people flooded the central area of Beijing. These protesters were angry at a variety of issues, including corruption, economic mismanagement, nepotism, and a lack of opportunities for students. These issues led to a sit-in and a hunger strike in Tiananmen Square. The student-led movement also resulted in the erection of a statue of ‘Goddess of Democracy’ opposite the portrait of Chairman Mao Zedong.
In the early morning hours of June 4th, thousands of troops rolled into Tiananmen Square and began to fire tear gas. Deng justified this action by saying that the unrest had evolved into a counter-revolutionary rebellion. He also told troops to ignore pleas from ordinary civilians to hold fire.
Near the square, you can visit the Beijing Planning Exhibition Hall and see the city’s urban planning history and future urban planning. The square also hosts two Hutongs – Dongjiaomin Lane and Xijiaaomin Lane – where you can browse shops and enjoy authentic street foods.
Tiananmen Water Town
Gubei Water Town, located at the foot of the Simatai Great Wall, is located on the northeast outskirts of Beijing. The water town is approximately 140km northeast of the capital, and 16km from the Summer Palace and Mutianyu Great Wall. Formerly, it was an important military site. It was also the home to many literati, including three emperors during the Ming and Qing dynasties. The area is 3.5 square miles (9 square kilometers) in size.
A visit to the Temple of Heaven is a must-do while in Beijing. While it is smaller than the Summer Palace and the Forbidden City, it is worth your time. The Temple of Heaven was built in 1420 during the Ming Dynasty and was built to offer sacrifices to Heaven. Chinese emperors called themselves “Sons of Heaven” and therefore, they dared not build their Forbidden City any larger than the Temple of Heaven.
Another must-see in Beijing is Tiananmen Square. Not only is this area rich in history, but it is also the political hub of the city. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, the square was a place where state ceremonies were held and imperial edicts were issued. Nowadays, the square is a place of relaxation for the common people and is decorated beautifully on holidays.
The Great Wall of China is located north of Beijing. This 5,500-mile-long structure is one of the best places to go hiking, and you can take a gondola ride for an exciting experience. In addition to the Wall, you can also take a look at the surrounding museums and monuments.
Temple of Heaven
If you’re planning to visit Beijing, you should not miss the Temple of Heaven in central Beijing. It’s an imperial complex of religious buildings that were once used by the Ming and Qing emperors for annual harvest prayers. In the nineteenth century, the complex was converted into a museum and now attracts tourists from all over the world.
The architecture of the temple is both beautiful and functional, and it also has an important symbolic meaning. The central columns of the temple symbolize the four seasons, while the semicircles represent the heavens. The inner part of the temple features the main buildings, which include the Circular Mound Altar, the Imperial Vault of Heaven, the Hall of Prayer for the Good Harvest, the Three Echo Stones, and the Echo Wall.
The Temple of Heaven is surrounded by a 675-acre public park. Visitors can engage in various activities, including parallel bar stretches, kicking shuttlecocks, line dancing, and group exercises. Ticket prices are about 30RMB, which includes access to the park and several attractions. You can also purchase audio guides, which will guide you through the complex.
To reach the temple of heaven, you can take the subway Line 5. You can also walk to Tiantan Dongmen station on foot. The trip takes about an hour.
Yuanmingyuan Park
While visiting Beijing, it is important to take time to see the sights around the city. A few of the top day trips from Beijing include the Great Wall, Fragrant Hills Park, the Olympic Park, and the Peking Man Museum. All are located in the city’s well-preserved historic core.
The park is a great place to spend a day walking through ancient ruins. It has excellent gardens, lakes, and ruins of the old summer palace. You can walk for about a mile to reach the park’s south gate, but it’s well worth the effort. You can also take a boat tour to see the entire park in half a day, which is a great way to see more of the park’s landscape.
Yuanmingyuan Park was once an enchanting park known as the Garden of Gardens. This museum gives you an idea of how the gardens were created and how they changed over time. You can also visit the ruins of western-style palaces nearby. There are also several helpful resources, including a large map of the original gardens.
Yuanmingyuan Park is located northwest of Beijing. It was built during the Qing Dynasty, and was initially called the Imperial Gardens. The palace was constructed over 150 years, during which time it was known as the “Paris of the East”.
The Forbidden City
When in Beijing, do not miss the Palace Museum in the Forbidden City. This is the country’s national museum and was opened to the public in 1925 after the last Chinese Emperor was deposed. The museum houses the remains of many of the Chinese emperors and is a great place to see the history of China.
The Forbidden City was once surrounded by ten-meter-high defensive walls and a tongzi moat. The complex consists of over 178 acres, and is made up of more than nine hundred and eight hundred rooms. Visiting the Forbidden City is a unique experience, and the architectural beauty of this palace is truly awe-inspiring.
If you’re planning to visit the Forbidden City, plan to arrive early, and consider taking a guided tour. This is especially true during the high season. During these days, the Palace may be crowded with tour groups and visitors. In addition, the Forbidden City can get quite hot inside, so bringing a bottle of water is recommended.
If you have time, check out the Golden Water River, which flows through the Forbidden City. Its auxiliary wings are shaped like guardian lions and are the tallest building in the Forbidden City. This impressive building is a perfect backdrop for imperial appearances. The Golden River flows into the courtyard, which is 460 feet deep and six hundred and fifty feet wide.