It barely needs saying, but Beijing is an absolutely
fascinating city. There is a proud ancient history demonstrated
by monuments and museums, juxtaposed against the impressive
modern structures constructed in time for the Olympics this
year. In this list of 10 must sees, you will see the old mixed
with the new – all part of the contrast which makes China’s
capital such an exciting, vibrant destination to visit.
Drum and Bell Towers
In olden times, most cities in China would use their drum and
bell tower to sound the beginning and end of each new day.
Nowadays, Beijing’s drum and bell tower is largely for tourists,
but is well worth visiting on a holiday in China – if nothing
else than for the wonderful panoramic views of the city offered
from atop the tower! There are hourly performances as well,
giving you an insight into how days were greeted in times gone
by.
The Forbidden City
Refurbishments due to this year’s Olympic Games have been
particularly kind to the Forbidden City – home to 24 emperors of
China during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Essentially a huge
imperial palace, this is one sight that is an absolute must-see,
and although it would take two days to see it all, the main
attractions can be seen in a single visit. Be sure to take in
the great halls and the imperial gardens, and be left in awe at
the incredible architecture and huge sense of scale. A must see
on any Asia holiday!
The Summer Palace
If you have not had your fill of palaces with the Forbidden
City, the longish trek to the Summer Palace is well worth it.
Located in a tranquil lakeside location, the complex has a huge
number of walkways, gardens and temples to explore and you
should be sure to have your camera handy for the brilliant view
of distant Beijing from the Tower of Buddhist Incense.
798 Dashanzi Arts District
Once upon a time, this was an electronics factory. Now the site
is home to a buzzing collection of cafes, galleries and studios
with a very trendy feel to it. A nice alternative to the ancient
monuments and sites, Dashanzi Arts District is a must visit part
of the city for those with any interest in modern Chinese art.
The Great Wall
If you think of the biggest tourist attraction for a holiday in
Asia, the Great Wall of China has to be a major contender.
Originally built to keep out the Mongol forces, the wall is
synonymous with the country and it’s hard to imagine a luxury
holiday in China passing this by. Despite being photographed an
incredible amount, the Great Wall still always manages to leave
me in complete awe at the sheer scale of the amazing structure
every time I visit.
Lama Temple
Visiting various temples is a key part of most holidays in
Asia, but if you only have the time to visit one of them, Lama
Temple should be the one. Regarded as the most important
Buddhist temple outside of Tibet, this collection of shrines is
guaranteed to leave you impressed almost beyond words. The
craftsmanship is always impressive, but perhaps no shrine more
so than the enormous Maitreya Buddha, which is officially
registered as the world’s tallest Buddha in the Guinness Book of
Records!
CCTV Tower
One of the more modern wonders of Beijing is the China Central
Television Tower – or CCTV Tower for short. By far the tallest
building in the city, its observation deck sits at an impressive
238 metres, with the tip of its antenna reaching 405 metres! As
the name suggests, the tower contains broadcasting equipment for
China Central Television, and the observation deck offers
incredible panoramic views of the city.
Temple of Heaven
Although the Temple of Heaven sounds on the surface like one to
miss for those suffering from temple fatigue, it’s actually an
entirely different proposition from most holy sites. As well as
having particular historic worth (it was the main centre of
worship for the country’s leaders, and ancient emperors would
come here to give thanks with offerings), it’s a popular hang
out for many local residents, who can often be found singing,
dancing and exercising in the surrounding gardens.
National Centre for the Performing Arts
For a more unusual modern structure, China’s holiday makers
should look no further than the National Centre for the
Performing Arts. Colloquially labelled “The Egg” by locals, it’s
a dome of glass and titanium surrounded by an artificial lake.
Love or hate the architectural style, it’s certainly a talking
point and well worth a visit.
Beihai Park & Houhai District
While central Beijing can be a little on the overwhelming side
with its crowds and bustle, the same accusation cannot be
levelled at Beihai Park and the nearby Houhai shopping district.
The former is an oasis of calm that seems to encourage
relaxation, and the latter is a quiet area dotted with quaint
little shops and charming restaurants. If the pace of modern
Beijing is getting to you, make sure you stop by here on your
holiday in China.
There’s plenty more to see here, but this should definitely
give you a start. Whether you’re interested in history, art or
culture, a luxury holiday in China’s capital cannot be
recommended enough.
About the Author: Kieron Sellens is the marketing manager of
the Association of Independent Tour Operators (AiTO). With
holidays in China
http://www.aito.co.uk/eastern-central-asia-holiday.asp from
AITO you can tailor-make the dream holiday.
