beijing, China
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Beijing is the capital of China and also its second largest city, after Shanghai. It is situated on the northern tip of the rough triangular North China Plain. The Great Wall of China stretches along the northern part of Beijing Municipality, which is the greatest tourist attraction for the visitors coming to the city. Another attraction in the city is the ‘Forbidden City’, which is centrally located in Beijing.
It is the ancient imperial palace of the emperors of China and is famed to be the world’s largest surviving palace complex. Being walled on all sides, the complex area was called the Imperial City. Beijing is significant in a number of ways and attracts visitors from all over the world. A half-day city tour can include visit to the Temple of Heaven, Tian'an Men Square, The Forbidden City, Tobacco Alley, Bei Hai Gongyuan; Follow it up with a Kung Fu or Acrobatics Show. |
Temple of Heaven
Just after dawn you'll find regular park goers practicing taijiquan, kung fu, group dancing, or giant calligraphy on this huge park's greenery and paved walkways. You'll probably hear birds and crickets chirping. Don't miss Qinian Dian (Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests). The circular wooden hall, with its triple-layered cylindrical blue-tiled roof, was constructed without a single nail. |
Tian'an Men Square
Set on the site of the former Imperial Way, the broad square is also a recent creation, dating from the 1950s when Mao, encouraged by his Soviet advisors, ordered the clearing away of the old government ministries. There were plans to "press down" the "feudal" Forbidden City by surrounding it with high-rise buildings and smokestacks, but the fledgling republic lacked the resources to carry out the plan. |
Forbidden City
(Gu Gong) The majority of visitors to Beijing's main attraction rent their audio tour and rush through the central route without ducking into the eastern and western axes. The most charming and intriguing parts of the Forbidden City are located away from the main tourist route. Allow at least 3 hours, and do not miss newly opened sights, particularly the Wuying Dian (west side) and Juanqin Zhai (northeast side). |
Tobacco Alley
(Yandai Xiejie) This little street is packed with cafes and small stores selling various trinkets, clothing from minority regions, and reproductions of Cultural Revolution memorabilia. Street vendors set up shop on the already narrow pathway and often sell fresh lollipops blown into animal shapes, or candied fruit kebabs. |
Bei Hai Gongyuan
This park is set around a lake carved out in the 12th century, provides a welcome change. On the south side of the park, Qiong Dao, an islet topped by a white dagoba built to commemorate the visit of the first Dalai Lama to the capital in 1651, is worth a quick look. The north side of the park is more interesting, so catch a boat from the islet to the opposite side of the lake. Don't miss Daci Zhenru Bao Dian, one of the most impressive structures in Beijing. |