If you are visiting Beijing there are several places you have to visit. But the number of options is so great, that you need to have a priority list. This is what I try to offer here after two and a half years living in that city. I will number them by order of importance, the 1st one being the more transcendent must-see in the capital:
- Forbidden City - On subway line 1, accross the street to the Tian'an Men square. When you go there also take a look at the Chang'An DaJie, the main avenue, which is the longest street in the world, and China's most important street.
- Carbon Mount - This mount or hill is beside the Forbidden City on the West side. The view of the city and especially of the Forbidden City is the best, and this mount has a huge historical relevance. I put this here, because it's convenient to climb (on foot) just after you exit the Forbidden City. Just avoid all the hawkers that will be offering to sell things, and avoid the private-cars and tuk-tuks that will want to rip you off. Just find the underground pass to cross the road to the East side (left) and once you cross the Avenue just walk to the ticket office. You can do this whole tour in 1 hour, climbing, looking around, taking pictures, and then descending.
- Tian'An Men square - I put this here because the square is right across the Forbidden City. But it's more important than the next places. However, this is the biggest urban square in the world, and it's political relevance may be the biggest after the Red square in Moscow. Because of the huge political relevance, the square is highly militarized. If you go into the square (you have to take an underground pass to cross the Avenue), walk southwards until you reach one of the ancient gates of the city. It is a huge Chinese style construction. Very beautiful indeed! In Tian'An Men square you can choose to watch to lowering of the flag ceremony everyday exactly when the sun sets. Also, in the middle of the square there is a huge building that is Mao's Mausoleum. There lies Mao mummified and waxed. All the people who have queued up for a very long time to see it, confirm that it is just a waste of time.
- Great Wall - Beijing is next to some of the best segments of the Great Wall for visiting. The nearest of them being Badaling. But I recommend you pay a little bit more and go to MuTianYu instead. That's the best part of the Great Wall near Beijing. I recommend you climb by cable-cart, then walk as much as you can (the way to the left is longer, because it's not broken), and then descend using the tobogan.
- Temple of Heaven - This is undoubtedly that next most important thing to see in the city. It's a huge temple inside a huge park. It was built in the XV century and has been the most important temple to the Chinese emperor when it was active as the main Taoist Temple. It main East-Gate is right accross the street to the famous Pearl-Market, which is the most convenient place for buying pearls in Beijing. So, if you are a tourist you may also do this afterwards. The Pearl Market is actually two big shopping malls that mainly sell jewelry and has many pearl stalls and shops.
- Lama Temple - This very old Lama temple is huge and beautiful. Along its entrance street you will find many buddhist and Tibetan shops that are also interesting to look at and visit.
- Confucius Temple - This is just round the corner of the Lama Temple. So you better plan to visit both the same day. But first go to the Lama Temple, because it closes earlier.
- Houhai Lake - This is the core of the nightlife. Don't miss a walk around the lake, among the hundreds of bars and restaurants with live shows. In Winter this lake is totally frozen and people go there to sky.
- Wang Fu Jin - This is the most pintoresque street in the city. It is just a couple of subway stops from the Forbidden City along Line 1 towards the East. Walk along the street, look at the shops, and visit the food markets where they sell all kinds of creepy fried insects for snacks.
- Gulou Hutong - This is an old traditional neighborhood made into a touristic place full of cafes and restaurants. It's interesting to go walk along and stop for food or cafe. It is very near Houhai Lake, so you better do them together.
- San Li Tun - This neighborhood is the core of the foreigners' life and nightlife. You can't miss this.
- 798 - 798 is the name of the artistic quarter. Here you will find art galleries and bohemian lifestyle, good wine shops, fancy restaurants, and many interesting things to see and buy.
- Forbidden City - On subway line 1, accross the street to the Tian'an Men square. When you go there also take a look at the Chang'An DaJie, the main avenue, which is the longest street in the world, and China's most important street.
- Carbon Mount - This mount or hill is beside the Forbidden City on the West side. The view of the city and especially of the Forbidden City is the best, and this mount has a huge historical relevance. I put this here, because it's convenient to climb (on foot) just after you exit the Forbidden City. Just avoid all the hawkers that will be offering to sell things, and avoid the private-cars and tuk-tuks that will want to rip you off. Just find the underground pass to cross the road to the East side (left) and once you cross the Avenue just walk to the ticket office. You can do this whole tour in 1 hour, climbing, looking around, taking pictures, and then descending.
- Tian'An Men square - I put this here because the square is right across the Forbidden City. But it's more important than the next places. However, this is the biggest urban square in the world, and it's political relevance may be the biggest after the Red square in Moscow. Because of the huge political relevance, the square is highly militarized. If you go into the square (you have to take an underground pass to cross the Avenue), walk southwards until you reach one of the ancient gates of the city. It is a huge Chinese style construction. Very beautiful indeed! In Tian'An Men square you can choose to watch to lowering of the flag ceremony everyday exactly when the sun sets. Also, in the middle of the square there is a huge building that is Mao's Mausoleum. There lies Mao mummified and waxed. All the people who have queued up for a very long time to see it, confirm that it is just a waste of time.
- Great Wall - Beijing is next to some of the best segments of the Great Wall for visiting. The nearest of them being Badaling. But I recommend you pay a little bit more and go to MuTianYu instead. That's the best part of the Great Wall near Beijing. I recommend you climb by cable-cart, then walk as much as you can (the way to the left is longer, because it's not broken), and then descend using the tobogan.
- Temple of Heaven - This is undoubtedly that next most important thing to see in the city. It's a huge temple inside a huge park. It was built in the XV century and has been the most important temple to the Chinese emperor when it was active as the main Taoist Temple. It main East-Gate is right accross the street to the famous Pearl-Market, which is the most convenient place for buying pearls in Beijing. So, if you are a tourist you may also do this afterwards. The Pearl Market is actually two big shopping malls that mainly sell jewelry and has many pearl stalls and shops.
- Lama Temple - This very old Lama temple is huge and beautiful. Along its entrance street you will find many buddhist and Tibetan shops that are also interesting to look at and visit.
- Confucius Temple - This is just round the corner of the Lama Temple. So you better plan to visit both the same day. But first go to the Lama Temple, because it closes earlier.
- Houhai Lake - This is the core of the nightlife. Don't miss a walk around the lake, among the hundreds of bars and restaurants with live shows. In Winter this lake is totally frozen and people go there to sky.
- Wang Fu Jin - This is the most pintoresque street in the city. It is just a couple of subway stops from the Forbidden City along Line 1 towards the East. Walk along the street, look at the shops, and visit the food markets where they sell all kinds of creepy fried insects for snacks.
- Gulou Hutong - This is an old traditional neighborhood made into a touristic place full of cafes and restaurants. It's interesting to go walk along and stop for food or cafe. It is very near Houhai Lake, so you better do them together.
- San Li Tun - This neighborhood is the core of the foreigners' life and nightlife. You can't miss this.
- 798 - 798 is the name of the artistic quarter. Here you will find art galleries and bohemian lifestyle, good wine shops, fancy restaurants, and many interesting things to see and buy.
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