History
Beijing's story dates back several thousand years but it first became notable in Chinese history after it was made the capital of the State of Yan, under the name Yanjing. Yan was one of the major kingdoms of the Warring States period, around 2, 000 years ago.
Beijing Centre
At Beijing's heart is the majestic Forbidden City, a royal palace on a magnificent scale. The centre is also home to beautiful temples which were built in line with cosmology, and enchanting ancient alleyways teeming with life.
Tiananmen Square
At the geographical centre of Beijing City is the remarkable Tiananmen Square, the largest city square in the world. It occupies an area of 44 hectares, and is able to accommodate one million people at a time. The Monument to the People's Heroes in the centre commemorates martyrs who devoted their lives to the Chinese people, and at 38 metres high, it is the biggest monument in Chinese history.
The magnificent Tiananmen Tower in the south was built in 1417 during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). During this time, and the following Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), proclamations were issued from here to the whole nation. The public were prohibited from entering the tower at that time, but now tourists may climb it if they wish.
The Mao Zedong Memorial Hall in the south houses the remains of the famed leader Mao Zedong in a crystal coffin. You can also learn about Chairman Mao, Zhou Enlai and other founders of the state in the Hall.
The National Museum of China in the east officially opened in 2003 and has an emphasis on Chinese art and history. With more than three million articles, it provides a vivid portrayal of Chinese history.
The Great Wall
With a history of more than 2000 years, the Great Wall of China has been a World Heritage site since 1987. Winding across deserts, grasslands, mountains and plateaus, it stretches approximately 5, 500 miles from Hushan in the east to Jiayuguan Pass in the west, traversing Liaoning, Hebei, Beijing, Tianjin, Shanxi, Inner Mongolia, Ningxia, Shaanxi, Gansu and Qinghai. Some of the sections are in ruins or have completely disappeared, but it is still one of the great wonders of the world due to its architectural grandeur, historical significance and magnificent views from upon it.
Acrobats and Artists
Beijing isn't just the political centre of China, it's the cultural heart of the country too. The nation's top artists, writers, movie-makers and musicians gather here, making this the place to experience the best of authentic Chinese culture. Beijing has an increasing number of music venues, so there's more than enough to keep everyone busy during the day and night. Beijing is the centre for Chinese performing arts, and can offer mystical Peking opera, amazing tumbling acrobats and graceful Chinese classical dance.
Food
Dining out is the main social activity for Beijingers, with restaurants being where they conduct business, romance loved ones, meet with friends and hold reunions. The amazing array of diverse restaurants and dishes you'll encounter near our Beijing hotels reflects this, and you can find food from all corners of the globe here. Enjoy succulent Peking duck and awesome noodles, fiery Sìchu?nese, Mongolian Hotpot and even Turkic–inspired Uighur cuisine.
The trip of a lifetime, Beijing is not to be missed.
