Best Tours in Beijing, China

Beijing, once the capital of four dynasties and now the capital of China, is a city with over 3,000 years of history and a population of around 11 million. It is the nation's political, economic, cultural, and educational center, covering 16,808 square kilometers (6,490 sq mi).

Among Beijing's highlights are the Forbidden City, a former Imperial Palace, and Tiananmen Square, the geographical center of Beijing and the largest city square in the world. This square, attracting millions of tourists annually, features the ancient Tiananmen Tower and a 124-foot-high monument to the People's Heroes.

The Temple of Heaven (Tiantan), a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was constructed in 1420 for the emperor to pray to the God of Heaven. It symbolizes harmony with its separate altars for heaven, earth, sun, and moon.

The Beijing Hutongs, narrow lanes formed by rows of traditional houses, illustrate authentic local life. Although many hutongs have been demolished, some are now protected to preserve this cultural heritage.

The Summer Palace, or Yihe Yuan, is one of the largest remaining royal gardens, built in 1750 and later becoming the Qing Dynasty's main residence. It showcases the beauty of Chinese gardening art.

Another notable site is the Yonghe Lama Temple, the largest and best-preserved lamasery in China, combining architectural styles from Han, Manchu, Mongolian, and Tibetan traditions, making it the most renowned Tibetan Buddhist temple outside Tibet.