The emperors of China had two palaces on the territory of Beijing. The first is the winter palace and the main residence of the monarchs. It is the largest palace complex in the world with an area of 72 hectares.
In the Forbidden City, you can see how the Chinese emperors lived, where important ceremonies and rituals were held. This is the most striking example of classical Chinese architecture.
- this is the place where tourists go to see pandas. But it is also interesting for its layout and architecture of buildings. Beijing Zoo is a large traditional garden. On the territory of the zoo there is a place where you can see many marine animals, including endemics of China.
Happy Valley is a huge amusement park in Beijing. Happy Valley is a whole network of amusement parks in major cities in China. Beijing Amusement Park is not the largest on the list, but it is interesting for its convenient location within the city.
Another interesting park is the Peace Park. It is one of the largest miniature parks in the world. The area is almost 47 hectares. In terms of the number of miniature exhibits, it can hardly be called a record holder. There are about 100 miniatures in total, for comparison, in Austria there are more of them in a much more modest park.
There is no country in the world more amazing, mysterious and paradoxical than China. Chinese philosophers, scientists, inventors have done a lot to develop the technical and cultural progress of the planet. Silk, paper, tea, porcelain, spices and so on came to us from the Chinese. Many secrets are kept by its ancient history, captured in the architectural and religious monuments of the Chinese capital - Beijing. This article introduces the main sacred for the Chinese and interesting for tourists sights of Beijing, which has gone through many shocks over the past centuries, but has managed to preserve the heritage of history.
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Gate of Heavenly Peace
Such a pacifying name was given not only to the gate leading to the Forbidden City, but also to the large area (440 thousand square meters) in front of it. In Chinese it sounds like Tiananmen - a word for a sacred place for the Chinese. Here is the Mausoleum of Mao Zedong, where thousands of people come to worship the leader. The Gate of Heavenly Peace is known for the sad events for the country: the shooting of students in 1989, the mass self-immolation of Falun Gong sectarians.
Various celebrations took place there: the coronation of emperors and empresses, the fateful performance of Mao Zedong with the announcement of the establishment of the PRC (1949), the annual celebration of the Republic's Formation Day, etc. architecture, enchanting with its originality.
Mausoleum of Mao Zedong
If you ask any Chinese, what is the most sacred place in Beijing for him, he, probably, without hesitation, will answer - the Mao-Zedong Mausoleum. The daily pilgrimage to the place where the body of the ruler of the fate of the people rests, vividly confirms this. Thousands of people at dawn line up to the sacred object. Some are driven by pure curiosity and a sense of duty, while others are driven by a sincere desire to pay tribute to the person who has chosen the course of the country's development towards a better life.
The mausoleum was erected in a short time, a year after the death of Mao, although he himself, back in 1956, signed an order on the posthumous cremation of the leaders. Despite this, the government decided to preserve the embalmed body of the Great Helmsman, as he was called during his lifetime. Visitors are not allowed to carry bags, liquids, photo and video equipment and cell phones - only money and a passport, the rest is handed over to the storage room. A 3.5-meter marble statue of Mao seated in an armchair "greets" everyone at the entrance. Many come with flowers, many cry, quickly passing by the sarcophagus with the body of the leader.
Monument to People's Heroes
Monument 40 m high, located in the center of Tiananmen, Monument to People's Heroes - the history of the revolutionary movement in China, captured in marble. The pedestal is decorated with 8 bas-reliefs, each of which depicts a certain episode of this story: "Burning Opium" (1939), the uprising in the village of Jingtian (1850), the Wuchang uprising (1911), the "May 4" Movement (1911) ), Crossing the Yangtze (1949), etc.
The creation of the grandiose monument took 17 thousand marble and granite blocks, fastened so that the monument can stand for a thousand years. Along with Mao's Mausoleum, the majestic monument is the most visited site in Beijing, where those Chinese come, whose great-grandfathers participated in revolutionary events, and those who are not indifferent to the history of their homeland, and foreign tourists.
Sky Temple
The ancient temple complex, together with the adjacent landscaped garden, symbolizing the connection between heaven (divine forces) and the Earth (Chinese emperors), was erected under the Zhuli emperor in 1420. It was intended for the prayers of emperors asking for good weather and harvests. The architecture of the Temple of Heaven is based on the philosophy of numbers - numerology. The temple altar is lined with a number of marble slabs, divisible by 9, which is considered the most powerful; 28 columns (Hall of Prayers for the Harvest) are arranged in 4 groups - symbols of 4 seasons, that is, there are columns, symbols of "months", columns-clocks.
Today, the huge park surrounding the amazing UNESCO-listed structure is accessible to ordinary citizens, which was not the case in imperial Beijing. Everyone can see a unique architectural monument here and walk in the park as much as they like. Most of the Beijing people are engaged in various types of gymnastics here.
Yonghegong Temple
The ancient Buddhist temple of the 17th century, the name of which is translated as the Temple of Harmony, is of great interest to tourists. Under the emperors who owned the temple, a ceremony of commemoration of the departed ancestors was held here annually. In fact, this is a monastery that still functions today, where 100 monks live, performing various rituals. One cannot but admire the original oriental architecture, numerous decorations outside and inside.
The gate leading to the Temple of Harmony is "guarded" by sculptures of mighty lions "installed on both sides. To reach the monastery itself, you need to go through 2 more gates: Zhaotaymen and Yonghemen. The entire area of the temple is divided into 3 pavilions isolated from each other, each of which bears a symbolic name. The main shrine of the Lamaist monastery is a high (18 m) statue of Buddha, carved from sandalwood, dug into the ground at 8 m.
Temple of Confucius
The temple, built in 1306 in honor of the great philosopher and scientist, has undergone repeated reconstructions, but a large part of the buildings have survived in their authentic form. All external and internal design of a huge structure is aimed at chanting scientists and teachings. At the entrance you can read wise sayings, poems inscribed on numerous stone-drums.
The centerpiece is the Pavilion of Learning, surrounded by slender cypresses. Its walls are adorned with a continuous pattern of hieroglyphs that form philosophical sayings telling about the genius Confucius and his students, about the progressive rulers of China. Of 50 thousand sq. m area 30 thousand sq. m - the inner courtyard of the Temple, and the rest of the territory - the Imperial Academy "Concentration of the Wise", which today has a symbolic status.
Temple of the Great Bell
During the reign of Emperor Jongle, the creator of the Forbidden City, the Big Bell, unique in its dimensions, was cast (height 5.5 m, weight 46 tons). A tower was built for him, on which the bell was raised in winter, when a heavy colossus was rolled into the tower on an ice rink. The temple around the Big Bell was erected already in 1773, and it became a place for imperial prayers for the welfare of the people, for rain, etc.
The bell ringing was heard for 15 km, its sound ranged from the most gentle chimes to deafeningly loud and rolling overflows. The entire surface of the silver bell is covered with inscriptions with Buddhist sutras. On the temple grounds there is a museum (1985), which displays hundreds of all kinds of bells, cast not only in different provinces of China, but also in other countries. A visit to the Temple of the Big Bell leaves a deep impression.
CCTV headquarters
In Beijing, along with ancient monuments, there are symbols of avant-garde architecture - modern skyscrapers, striking in their height and unusual design. These high-rises include the headquarters of China Central Television (CCTV), located in the main modern landmark of the Chinese capital. The building, built in the style of deconstructivism, looks like 2 giant Ls connected at the top. The Beijing people called such an extraordinary design "pants", which they are still proud of.
The daring project of the Dutchman Rem Koolhaas is an example of a 21st century building capable of withstanding any earthquake. A whole team of engineers worked on the seismological stability of a 54-storey skyscraper with a height of 234 m. Two rectangular towers, tilted from the vertical axis by 6 degrees, are rotated so that they support each other. A reliable base-foundation consists of many interconnected cells that form a monolithic grid. The system of evacuation of people in case of emergency has also been carefully thought out.
Waning sono
There is a Wanjing district in Beijing, where high-tech architectural structures are towering, the futuristic appearance of which cannot leave anyone indifferent. 3 extraordinary buildings have been erected to meet the office needs of various international companies. The high-rise project in the style of deconstructivism was developed by the architect Z. Hadid (she is called the "queen of curves").
Indeed, in the erected aluminum-glass masses there is not a single right angle. Looking from a distance at these fantastic buildings, in which traditional windows are not visible, it is difficult to imagine the interior layout. Lighting is regulated by changing the width of the aluminum panels, all communications are subject to a single control system, which gives significant savings in electricity, water and heat. The Chinese compare the buildings to pond carps - they associate these fish with wealth and good luck.
National Museum of China
Opened in 1959 in a 4-storey building with 11 columns, the National Museum shared it with the Museum of the Revolution, but after many years of restoration of the building, the museums merged. Now there are spacious exhibition halls, which house more than a million exhibits, fully reflecting the history of the most ancient state of the planet - China. The expositions show objects of various eras, from the Neolithic to the present.
It's hard to believe, but the museum contains a unique rarity, the oldest exhibit, which is over 1.5 million. years - the remains of a Yuanmou man. The pride of the institution is a bronze tripod that belonged to the emperors of the Ding dynasty 3 thousand years ago. Its weight is 800 kg, no museum owns such a large bronze artifact of antiquity. The exhibitions of contemporary Chinese art, scientific achievements, and the national currency are of undoubted interest. There is a lot to see here.
Gongwangfu
The most beautiful palace and park complex that once belonged to Prince Gong is located among the remains of the old city in the western part of Beijing. The palace, built in 1777 for the influential nobleman and favorite of the emperor, Hashen, is a veritable architectural gem of Beijing. Transferred in 1851 by the then emperor as a gift to his brother, who bore the high title "Gong", the palace became known as Gongwangfu. The fate of the palace was sad until 1982, but after its recognition as a cultural heritage site, intensive restoration began, the collection of looted property, and the restoration of the garden. Today, hundreds of tourists walk among the landscape splendor, admire the amazing decoration of the facades, the interiors of the palace halls, admiring the talent and skill of Chinese craftsmen.
Beijing National Stadium
The stadium, built for the 2008 Olympics, resembles a bird's nest in its shape, for which it is unofficially called so. World famous architects took part in the development of the project, such as the winners of the competition - the Swiss designers Herzog and Meron. The National Stadium is a synthesis of architectural minimalism, steel and concrete, surprising with its originality and grandeur of a design made to last.
The construction, which can accommodate 80 thousand spectators, took 45 thousand tons of steel with a rolled length of 36 km. The stadium located next to the swimming complex looks like some kind of fantastic giant ship, reflected in the waters of the lake. It looks especially enchanting at night, colored from the inside with electric lighting. Against the backdrop of fashionable skyscrapers, the National Stadium has successfully blended into the modern look of Beijing.
Summer imperial palace
To call the wonderful world of mysterious and colorful beauty a palace is too modest. In fact, this is a solid imperial residence, on the space of which there are 3 thousand different buildings: unique bridges, palaces, temples against the backdrop of incredibly beautiful landscape paintings. Everything that has been created here is the most valuable cultural heritage of the world, delighting everyone who comes to this fabulous kingdom.
On the slope of Wanshou Mountain (Longevity) is the most visited site - the Great Reward for the Mercy of Longevity Temple. The local gallery-corridor strikes the imagination, on the walls of which there are almost 8 thousand paintings, marble sculptures of dragons and lions are installed. There is also a symbol of the power of the imperial family - the Marble Boat. Crowds of people come to the Kunming Artificial Lake, especially when the divine lotuses are in bloom. You can walk around the residence, which is essentially a huge museum, for long hours, admiring the masterpieces of Asian art.
Yuanmingyuan Park
A little to the east of the Summer Residence there is a landmark that serves as an example of how man-made miracles, created with one hand and mind, can be destroyed with other hands and mind. Only by the majestic remnants of the former luxury and beauty can one judge now how magnificent Yuanmingyuan Park (garden of perfect clarity) was during the reign of the Qin emperor Kangxi dynasty. The most luxurious palaces, comparable in the perfection of decoration with the best works of art, were surrounded by a huge park, with artificial reservoirs, picturesque alleys, and many sculptures.
But under the next emperor, the territory of the garden increased 5 times in comparison with the area of the Forbidden City, its cultural and artistic content exceeded even the Vatican. The prosperity of Yuanmingyuan Park ceased in the fall of 1860, when the Vandal invasion of the Franco-English army caused irreparable damage to it. Today, only separately preserved ruins of palaces and park structures remind of their former splendor.
Beihai park
West of the Forbidden City there are 3 lakes, which were once called seas: North , Central and South. Here, beautiful imperial gardens were laid out around them - witnesses of how the Chinese rulers loved to pamper themselves, surrounding their life with unprecedented luxury. Now Beihai Park is a popular place to visit and an interesting attraction, while examining it, you mentally forgive those in power for their narcissism and thank them for creating such grace. The long-suffering history of the park began in the 10th century.
Having survived the devastation and decline, Beihai Park gained a new face in 1925, after a grandiose restoration in 1949, it became the most beautiful and favorite place in the Chinese capital. The most visited sites are the Jade Island, with unique religious buildings; the Chshizhan bridge leading to the island; White Dagoba (Buddhist Church) with sacred rarities stored in it; Shanindian Pavilion; Temple of Eternal Peace, etc. Everything that is here is worthy of admiration!
Peace park
An entertaining and educational place called Peace Park gives an unforgettable experience to visitors of all ages. No one leaves here disappointed, because here you can not only see the famous buildings of the world in miniature copies, but also get the thrill of exotic entertainment such as feeding an elephant. Among the mini-objects are the native Red Square with a temple complex in miniature, the Eiffel Tower, Egyptian pyramids, Niagara Falls, English and French medieval castles, the Great Wall of China, etc.
The central "patch" of the park is very beautifully decorated with green lawns with landscape "drawings" and thematic sculptures along the edges, picturesque fountains. On a wonderful large pond, through which a wonderful bridge has been laid, they ride on mini-boats, river trams and catamarans. It is a great pleasure for everyone to interact with rare animals, for example, riding a red deer. After the excursion, there is an opportunity to relax under the shade of trees on comfortable benches in the floristic part of the park, enchanting with its neatness and cleanliness.
Botanical Garden
At the foot of the Xianshan Mountains, near Iheyuan Park, the Beijing Botanical Garden is spread over 130 hectares, the area of which includes mountain slopes and plains. The main part of the entire territory of the garden is planted with trees and shrubs (more than 100 thousand), several hundred herbs. A narrow river flows along the garden, with rocky rapids and banks. Cascades made of stone make it very picturesque. Flower gardens skillfully decorated by landscape designers fascinate with their beauty: a stunning rose garden, a large collection of magnolias, lawns of peonies, various thematic gardens are presented, the garden grows 60, for example, in peach varieties of delicate fruits.
Touches the garden of miniature trees - bonsai. Despite the small height of some specimens, their age is 1300 years. Interesting structures made of stones on trays - suiseki, sculptural compositions are impressive. For walks, special paths are equipped, winding throughout the territory, there are restaurants and cafes for visitors.
Beijing TV Tower
Those who would like to see Beijing from a bird's eye view should visit the Beijing TV Tower, which is not only an office and broadcasting institution, but also a kind of entertainment facility. Inside the high-rise (405 m) there are museums, the expositions of which introduce the history of the development of TV in China. Here they are allowed to test themselves as a presenter, taking a chair in front of the camera. It has become a tradition to hold speed races, when participants make 2 circles around the base, and then climb up 1,500 thousand steps.
Tourists experience a real delight, examining the stunning panorama of Beijing from the observation deck (238 m), shouting into the hole of a huge pipe so that all residents of the capital can hear them (as the electronic loudspeaker guide claims). An equally interesting sight awaits visitors in the underground center "Underwater World of the Pacific Ocean", where everyone walks through a tunnel with transparent walls, behind which the exotic world of the ocean opens up from the side and from above. Green algae, red corals, fantastic fish, jellyfish.
Marco Polo bridge
On this pedestrian bridge, thrown across the river. Yongdinghe, tourists and Chinese are attracted by the numerous stone lions and lionesses, which show the "gray hair" of the Middle Ages. The 10-span stone bridge was erected in 1698 to replace the granite ferry that had been washed away by the flood. The building was hosted by the Kangxi emperor, marked by a stone stele at the western end of the bridge. On some sections of the pavement (length 266.5 m), authentic marble slabs have been preserved, which have captured the traces of the past centuries.
Of the 482 preserved carved statues of lions, not a single image is repeated, so they can be viewed endlessly. The width of the bridge is almost 10 m, and it can accommodate hundreds of people. And although there is no river water under the bridge, it has not lost its popularity. The Chinese call it Lugoqiao, and the Europeans call it the Marco Polo Bridge, believing that it was he who was mentioned in the travel notes of the great navigator.
National Center for the Performing Arts
It took 6 years to build a truly outlandish structure, now considered a wonder of the world of our time - the National Center for the Performing Arts. In 2001, it was decided to build an opera house, but when the grandiose project was implemented in 2007, its futuristic embodiment required a wider purpose and name. The French architect P. André presented the building as a drop floating on the surface of the water, so the egg-shaped building is surrounded by an artificial lake.
The architectural masterpiece consists of a main elliptical building, underwater and underground corridors. The ellipse is 212 m long, 144 m wide, 48 m high, made of 18 thousand titanium plates and 1200 glass sheets. The structure goes down 32.5 m (10 floors) - the scale of the project is amazing! The opening of the Center was marked by a performance by the Mariinsky Theater of Borodin's opera "Prince Igor" (conducted by V. Gergiev).
Beijing Zoo
Occupying 86 hectares of land, the Beijing Zoo is famous throughout the world as the only owner of a giant panda. The entire territory of the zoo is divided into thematic groups: Monkey Hill, Bear Mountain, Lake of Waterbirds, etc. More than 5 thousand animals of 450 species live in them. The sections were laid out according to the principle of Chinese gardens, with ponds, channels, bridges, rocks, willows leaning over the water, which makes the area very picturesque.
One of the most visited sites is the Giant Panda Pavilion, which is visited by thousands of visitors every day. They look not only at the panda, but also the interesting sculptural compositions decorating the pavilion depicting an amusing bear family. Not deprived of attention and predators living in spacious open-air cages among natural nature. Walking around the Beijing Zoo is not only an acquaintance with the fauna, but also a contemplative enjoyment of the surrounding beauty of the landscape.
Shijingshan amusement park
A grandiose leisure center covering a colossal area of 35 million square meters. m, Shijingshan Amusement Park is the focus of modern dizzying attractions, beautifully designed territory and a truly fabulous atmosphere with the presence of characters familiar to everyone. A visit to this amazing park, opened in 1987, is a pleasure for children and adults. All entertainment and educational objects are divided into thematic sectors.
For example, the Eastern Sector - artificial gorges, a rapid mountain stream for rafting, caves with treasures, etc. Adventure land - Mayan labyrinths, a pirate ship, Jurassic Park with dinosaurs. Fantasy world - all kinds of attractions for preschoolers. There is a Gothic castle where Cinderella lives, 4-D-c / theater, roller coasters, 50-meter Ferris wheel and much more that captures the imagination.
Happy Valley Park
How could the ubiquitous Chinese do without an analogue of American Disneyland !? The Happy Valley amusement park, created by them, has outdone the famous American facility in its own way, adding Asian mystery and oriental motives to the design of the huge area of their park. Now there are more than 120 various attractions for every taste. All of them are located in 6 thematic zones, the central of which is "Atlantis" - a fantastic embodiment of an ancient civilization.
There is no limit to children's delight from "immersion" in the mysterious world of antiquity, fairy-tale plots and characters. They are happy to recognize their favorite cartoon characters, presented here in a wide variety. Adults test their courage on extreme roller coasters and water slides, giant swings with an incredible range of flight. The park organizes costume performances, processions, theatrical shows.
Lake Houhai
On this day we decided to see sights of the center of Beijing, had breakfast at the hotel and went for a walk around the city. We printed maps in Russian-English with destinations and the general city at home from the Internet, unfortunately, at that time we could not find a Chinese-English one, we had to be content with at least something (our map of Beijing is at the end of the article).
Of the free attractions in Beijing, you can visit a bunch of places and, first of all, our path went to the square Tiananmen (六四事件 ) ... We decided to completely immerse ourselves in the Beijing sphere and went on foot. Judging by the map, it was not so far to go, moreover, in a straight line from our hotel. The city fascinated more and more: wide pedestrian zones, everything that is possible was greened, various intricate figures gave their own flavor. It was hot and this was in early October, when we were already dressed and shod in warm clothes. Here, like in summer, and +30 is very well tolerated, there is no such humidity as ours, and you don't sweat around with seven sweats, and it's still quite comfortable. What could not be said about the Chinese themselves, apparently, there was already a cool time for them, and many were dressed in black clothes, moreover, women in tights, pants, jackets, sweaters, and of men, respectively. Some came across who dressed like us, maybe there were newcomers, since we just got into the period of celebration Day of the formation of the People's Republic of China, it runs from October 1st to 4th, if I'm not mistaken. When we learned about this holiday, we thought that there would be a lot of people, because at this time Chinese from all over China were coming, and the number of Beijing residents increased by four. But oddly enough, we noticed a large crowd of people only on Tiananmen Square, this can be observed here on the day of any celebration, when people come to see the event.
At Tiananmen Square nothing special happened, apparently, all the performances took place in the morning, everyone was only photographed against the background of a beautiful fountain, or the square itself and the surrounding views. We did not distinguish ourselves and also took pictures in all directions of the world.
The next free attraction, in my opinion, was The Grand National Theater in Beijing (大国家 剧院北京 ) ... It looks very interesting and unusual. The theater, as it were, stands on the water, and it itself is round in shape.
We walked around it, it was curious to see where the entrance to it is. The entrance was found on the back of the building. There is a small circle-shaped alley near the entrance.
park near the entrance to the theater
Having studied all this, then we moved on to the next attraction - this Forbidden City (紫禁城 ) ... Immediately I will make a reservation that the entrance to the Forbidden City was free, as is the case at the present time, we do not know yet. Perhaps the free admission was made during the holidays.
The central entrance to it lies through Tiananmen Square, but there are still other passages along the entire perimeter. Due to the large number of people, we did not immediately see the main entrance, although when we walked around the square again, passing by the main entrance, we were surprised how it could have been overlooked. We went through Western Flower Gate.
Attractions in the center of Beijing
Generally myself Forbidden City(故宫), as it were, divided into several zones, each zone contains a park, some kind of museum, a walking area. At the Western Gate, where we got there is a huge park area with benches, ponds, century-old trees and a bamboo grove. It is also located here Museum of Military Valor, but we did not have time to get there, because we walked for a very long time in the park. This is a very huge territory that you can walk around in a full day. It's a long way to go to the temple, until you go through everything and look around, the day will end.
Forbidden City Park
age-old trees
bamboo grove
To say that the park is beautiful is to say nothing, it is simply magnificent. Despite the crowd of people, it is somehow calm, walking is a nice thing, nothing bothers, the head just does not think about anything. You breathe fresh air, the noise of cars is not heard, birds are chirping, flowers and trees are fragrant. Apparently, this was done on purpose, until you get to the temple itself, wipe out all thoughts and come with a pure soul.
Fish pond
Unfortunately, at that time the cards Of the Forbidden City we didn’t, and it’s very difficult to say exactly where we were and in what part. Even looking at the map now, it is impossible to understand what we managed to visit. Since this was our first trip to Beijing, we did not count on places where a map would be needed. Therefore, I cannot clearly and accurately describe the various structures and parks in Gugun City... And there is very little time to visit one such attraction, it takes a day, or even two, and since we did not have time, in one day we tried to visit at least three or four attractions.
How to get to the Forbidden City of Gugun.
It is very easy to do this, since it is located in the very center of Beijing, it looks like a huge square.
If you take the subway then to Tiananmen Xi Zhang Station 天安门 西 站 ( Tian'anmen West Station), "Tiananmen dong zhang" 天安门 东 站 ( Tian'anmen East Station), line 1.
If you take a bus, then on the following numbers: 1 路, 2 路, 10 路, 52 路, 52 路 区间, 52 路 区间 2, 59 路, 82 路, 90 路, 99 路, etc.
The end of our day was a visit to another attraction - the famous Wangfujin Streets (王府井 ) ... We read a lot about her before our trip to Beijing, so we decided not to postpone the visit and went shopping there. I will go shopping and prices a little later in another article on Beijing. You can also read an article about the markets of Beijing, where this famous street is also described, but for now I will tell you about our impression of this street.
By the time we got to her, it was already dusk, but it felt like life had just begun on her. There were so many people there, it seemed to me that there were much fewer in the Square. In general, we walked pushing and making our way through the crowd. There are a bunch of houses on it, and in these houses there are a bunch of different shops, from global brand names to Chinese brands, from one-story shops to 5-story clothing supermarkets. There were a lot of people in the shops, as well as on the street, everyone was buying something, someone, like us, went and stared. The entire street is illuminated with colorful lanterns, lights and other lighting effects. It looks very beautiful, and indeed, you look at this place as a landmark. There are a lot of shops on the street with various chinese food, ranging from some sea delicacies and ending with all sorts of "delicious" in the form of grasshoppers, tomatoes in caramel and other things that the Chinese themselves eat. We did not dare to eat on the street, although it was tempting to buy something to try this. We walked for about two hours, and when our legs finally began to refuse to walk, we decided to return to the hotel in order to start new excursions to the sights of Beijing in the morning.
We went to the hotel on foot, decided to finally walk for the night and see what Beijing is at night. Beijing at night is one of the biggest attractions as there is so much to see. All houses, at least of the central street, are illuminated by a variety of lanterns, some colored lights are flying in the sky, which at first can be mistaken for either a UFO or a helicopter. There are fountains, which are also illuminated with colorful lights. At this time, very few people walked around, mostly only visitors.
Upon reaching the hotel, we decided stop by for a bite at McDonald's, which is next to the hotel. We ordered something like a hamburger, everyone wanted to find a similar one that we ate in Busan (Korea), because we never found anything tastier than a Busan hamburger. Previously, we were constantly surprised how you can adore fast food, but after we visited Korea, we also began to adore this type of food. If the food and products are of high quality, then they are really delicious.
Our day in Beijing was over. There were a lot of impressions and we were delighted.
Beijing is the capital of the People's Republic of China and has the status of a city of central jurisdiction. The history of this settlement began many centuries ago, and now the city is a modern cultural, economic and tourist center of the country. The distinctive culture, interesting traditions and many famous sights attract travelers here. At the same time, it is important to take into account the rules of stay in Beijing, the location of tourist sites and much more.
Brief information about the city in the PRC
At the northern edge of the Great Plain of China is the city of Beijing. The main part of this settlement is surrounded by Hebei province, and the rest of the areas are bordered by Tianjin in the southeast. It has a humid continental climate and the weather depends on the monsoons. Some areas of the city are in the zone of moderate monsoon climate. This is due to the fact that Beijing occupies a large area of 16,801 km². This area is home to about 21,705,000 people.
Beijing is a developed and beautiful city
Settlements on the territory of modern Beijing have existed since the 1st millennium BC. Now the settlement is considered one of the largest in the world and is known for many attractions dating back to different eras. At the same time, the railway network is well developed here, and there are 3 stations in the city: West Peking Station, Peking Station and South Peking Station. The Beijing-Tianjin High Speed Railroad is popular with tourists and locals alike. And also on the territory of the capital of the People's Republic of China there are highways laid, and nearby there is the Capital International Airport. There are also several secondary airports used for military purposes.
Beijing has an extensive subway network of 17 lines. This allows tourists to easily get to any part of the capital, but it is worth considering that the price for a trip depends on the number of stations on the desired route. In some cases, it is easier to get to your destination by taxi.
Transport accessibility of the city
Beijing is a developed and modern city, cultural and economic center of China. Therefore, it is easy to get here by plane, and direct flights are carried out from Moscow, St. Petersburg, the capital of European countries. There are many flights from Moscow with transfers in Vienna, Dubai, Warsaw, Guangzhou and Zurich. Accordingly, it is also easy to get to Beijing from these cities by plane.
The city has 2 train stations: Beijing West and Beijing. This allows you to get here from Moscow by the Vostok train. This train departs from the Yaroslavl railway station and arrives in Beijing in 6 days. There are also flights from Vietnam, North Korea to Beijing and therefore it is easy to travel by train to several countries.
From Beijing, you can take a bus from Sihui Station to Tianjin, Harbin, Changchun, Dalian and other cities in the country. And also transport arrives here from many settlements in China.
Sights of Beijing: architectural, cultural and other objects of the city
Thanks to the centuries-old history and modern development of Beijing, tourists can see here both ancient architectural objects and innovative achievements. Cultural and natural attractions also attract travelers.
While on vacation in Beijing, tourists can pay attention to the following architectural and historical sites:
- The Forbidden City is the world's largest palace complex. It is located practically in the center of Beijing and north of Tiananmen Square. The first palace was built in the period from 1406 to 1420, and then its location was moved, the structure underwent many changes. In its present form, the complex was founded in 1922 and is known as the largest in the world and one of the most visited sites in Beijing. The attraction presents many palaces, temples, surrounded by a wall with gates and covering an area of 720,000 m². There are about 980 buildings in total;
The Forbidden City is the world's largest palace complex - not far from Beijing is the Great Wall of China, the length of which with all its parts is 21,196 km. It was built in ancient China and is known as the largest architectural monument. Limestone served as the material for the construction. The first sections of the wall were built in the 3rd century BC. NS. in the period from 475 to 221 BC. NS. to protect the state from the Xiongnu. Now this object is popular with tourists, as it has an impressive size and many monuments have been installed here;
The wall attracts tourists with its unusual size and the fact that it is one of the 7 wonders of the world - Temple of Heaven is a temple-monastery complex, created in 1420. This facility is located in Dongcheng District and is surrounded by a red double wall. The temple is considered a masterpiece of Chinese architecture, and the surrounding area is notable for its beautiful landscape design. This place can be visited from 9:00 to 18:00;
The Temple of Heaven is a landmark in China, famous for its beautiful architecture and centuries-old history - the temple of Confucius is the second largest of all the sites dedicated to the famous philosopher Confucius. The facility was built in 1302 and served as a tribute to the famous scientist until 1911. There are 189 stone steles where the texts of the Confucian Thirteen Books are carved. Temple address: Guozijian Street, 13. It is easy to get here by subway to Yonghegong station or by buses No. 13, 116, 117, 606, 800;
Temple of Confucius dedicated to the famous philosopher and scientist - Tiananmen Square is located in the city center and covers an area of 440,000 m². Until the 20th century, this square was the largest in the world. Here tourists can see the modern opera house, the Chinese History Museum, the People's Assembly building, as well as the monument dedicated to the people's heroes of China. The site is decorated with graceful flower beds and locals and tourists come here for walks and to watch the flag raising that takes place every morning;
Tiananmen Square is large and beautifully decorated - The Imperial Summer Palace is the summer residence of the Qing dynasty. The architectural ensemble was founded in 1750, and now there are many pavilions, several palaces and temples, and the main gate. Tourists can see this object at Xin-Jian-Gong-Men Rd, 19. It is worth visiting the observation decks, walking in the park and getting acquainted with the beautiful architecture of the buildings;
The Summer Palace is a vast architectural ensemble of temples, palaces, pavilions - CCTV headquarters is a modern skyscraper with an unusual shape, created in 2009. The object reaches a height of 234 m and has 44 floors. The building has a ring-like structure, consisting of five vertical and horizontal sections, creating an irregular grid on the facade of the building with an empty center. The total floor area is 473 thousand square meters. It houses exhibition halls, a public theater, a hotel, and offices. Site address: Headquarters, 32 East 3rd Ring Road Middle Chaoyang, Beijing;
CCTV headquarters known as Big Pants - The Temple of the Earth is the second largest of the 4 major temples in Beijing. It is located near the Andingmen Gate in the northern part of the city and outside the Beijing Second Ring Road. The temple was founded in 1530 and is a small part of the Ditanie park. This building served for religious purposes and complements the temples of Heaven, Sun and Moon;
Temple of Earth is the second largest of the 4 main temples in Beijing - Sishiku Cathedral is often called the Northern Cathedral, it is Catholic and located in the northern part of Beijing, namely in the Xicheng area. The first cathedral was created in 1703 near Zhongnanhai Lake, but in 1887 the building was moved to where it is now. The object in the neo-Gothic style is popular with tourists, as it has impressive parameters and looks beautiful;
Sishiku Cathedral attracts tourists with spectacular views and interesting history - The Lugou Bridge was built from solid granite in 1189-1192, and then regularly updated and supplemented. The length of the structure is 266.5 m, and the width is 9.3 m. The bridge is famous for its beautiful architecture, and the railings are decorated with figures of lions. There are steles on the east and west sides. Tourists can visit Wanping Fortress, which houses the Museum of the Second Sino-Japanese War;
The Lugou Bridge is popular with tourists because it was built many centuries ago and leads to the Wanping Fortress. - Niujie is the oldest and largest mosque in the capital of China. The building was founded in 996 and is located in the southwestern district of Xuanwu. Throughout its existence, the mosque has been restored, and acquired its modern look only at the beginning of the 18th century. The attraction has an area of 6,000 m 2. Outside, the building is made in a traditional Chinese style, while the premises are furnished in accordance with Islamic traditions;
Niujie Mosque is known as the oldest and largest Muslim temple in Beijing - Zhenjue Temple is Buddhist and was created during the reign of the Ming Dynasty in Beijing, namely in 1473. The building is installed on a square base, the height of which reaches 7.7 m. You can climb to the temple by a spiral staircase. Now it houses the Beijing Stone Carving Museum. Tourists can see this object at North of Beijing Zoo, Haidian District, Beijing, 100081 and there is a National Library subway stop nearby;
Zhenjue Temple is an object with unusual architecture and a long history - Wanshou Temple was built in 1577 during the reign of Emperor Ming Wanli. The building is located on Suzhou Jie Street in the capital of China. Now the Beijing Art Museum is located here, and earlier the temple was used to celebrate religious dates by the families of the emperors. This place is famous for the fact that here you can see unique exhibits, for example, bronze and jasper figurines from the times of Shang-Yin and Zhou, as well as lacquer carvings, collections of faience and porcelain;
The Wanshou Temple Museum displays rare exhibits from different eras - Mao Zedong's mausoleum will interest tourists with its solid view and architecture. The building was constructed in 1977 and is located in the center of Tiananmen Square. The complex is a memorial and there is the North Hall, the Cinema Hall, as well as the Visitors' Hall, the South Hall. The Hall of Revolutionary Achievements is also interesting, where exhibits and artifacts of revolutionary times are presented. This object is dedicated to Mao Zedong and other proletarian leaders;
Mao Zedong's mausoleum is popular with tourists due to the fact that it is dedicated to the memory of famous revolutionaries - Beijing's Data Center Building is known for its unusual architecture and consists of several tall asymmetric blocks that look like a barcode from the side. The structure is located at the northwest corner of the intersection of Anxiang North and Beichen West, Huizhong Road in Chaoyang Olympic Green Region. The building was constructed from steel and reinforced concrete in 2007. The height of the Center is 57 m;
The center was created by a Chinese architect and features an unusual architecture - Beijing TV Tower is famous for its height, reaching 405 m with an antenna. At an altitude of 238 m, there is an observation deck with a beautiful view of the city. Tourists can visit the revolving restaurant and can easily be reached by high-speed elevator. Facility address: Xisanhuanzhong Lu, 11. There are bus stops nearby. Buses No. 8, 40, 74, 77, 102, 103, 201, 437, 624, 631, 698, 944, 968 and 977 arrive at "Hantianqiao", and No. 323 and 374 arrive at "Yuyuantan". There are 2 metro stations: "Gongzhufen" (intersection of the 1st and 10th lines) and "Sidiaoutai" (10th line);
Beijing TV Tower is one of the tallest in the world - the Great Bell Temple is Buddhist and is located on the Beisanhuang Road in Beijing. The building was erected in 1733 during the reign of Emperor Yongzhen of the Qing Dynasty. The temple is famous for the fact that there is a bell "Yongle", which emits a sound of 120 decibels and can be heard at a distance of 50 km from the building. Now it houses a museum.
The temple is named so because of the bell, the sound of which is heard at a distance of 50 km
There are a lot of temples, ancient buildings and beautiful architectural objects in Beijing. The cultural attractions of the city are no less varied. For example, tourists can visit the National Center for the Performing Arts, an opera house with an area of 200,000 m². The rounded building resembles an egg and is located near Tiananmen Square and the National Assembly. It is for its form and architecture that the theater is known all over the world and thousands of visitors come here every year.
Unusual architecture makes the theater in Beijing famous all over the world The National Museum of China is the largest in the country and the most visited in the world. The institution covers an area of 70,000 m 2. The museum was founded in 1959 and includes more than 650,000 valuable and rare exhibits. This object is located on Tiananmen Square, and a clock is often placed on the facade of the building, which counts down the time until one or another important event in the country.
The National Museum is the largest in China and attracts millions of tourists every year. There are many beautiful parks and recreation areas in Beijing. The following are popular among tourists:
- Lake Houhai is famous for its beautiful and landscaped recreation area. There are many restaurants, nightclubs and cafes on the shores of the reservoir. Boat trips are often organized for tourists. The lake is located in the central part of the city;
Lake Houhai is popular for locals and tourists alike - Beihai Park is an imperial garden located northwest of the Forbidden City. This park is considered one of the largest Chinese gardens and here you can see ancient palaces, sculptures, temples. The area of the park is 69 hectares, and the main part of the territory is occupied by Lake Beihai. The beautiful landscape design attracts many visitors here;
Beihai attracts tourists with many historical sites and beautiful landscaping - the park of the same name is located on the artificial hills of Jingshan, covering an area of 230,000 m². Initially, this place was an imperial garden, but now there are walking paths here, there are many sculptures and beautiful flower beds. Dance and other cultural events are held regularly, which is what this place is famous for;
Jingshan Park is considered one of the best recreation areas in Beijing, and was formerly an imperial garden - The Marble Boat is a lake pavilion located next to the Summer Palace. This building was created in 1755. The pavilion is made in the shape of a boat and has a length of 36 m. This object is known precisely for its shape and beautiful decor in the form of skillful carving.
The unusual shape and beautiful decor make the Marble Boat famous and popular among tourists.
Beijing is a large modern city with both ancient buildings and innovative buildings and beautiful parks. Therefore, tourists from all over the world come here to get acquainted with the history and culture of the city, see unusual sights and learn a lot of new things.
Holidays in different seasons
Summer is a good opportunity for long excursions in and around Beijing. In June, sales begin in stores and shopping centers, which allows you to profitably purchase any goods. The air temperature during the day averages + 30 ° C. Boat trips on the lakes are in demand this season. And also tourists should visit the Xiangshan Park, which is located at the foot of the Xishan Mountains in the northwest of Beijing. There are many Buddhist temples with beautiful architecture. The park was created in 1186. Its area is 16 km 2.
Xiangshan is suitable for summer excursions and is famous for its many temples In autumn, the air temperature in Beijing gradually decreases and in October averages + 19 ° C. Travelers can take a walk along the Yudaiqiao Bridge, which is shaped like a crescent and has an unusual view that makes it famous. This shape was chosen so that the imperial boat in the shape of a dragon could pass through the water. It was created in the 18th century and is located 7 km north-west of the Forbidden City, namely on the territory of the Yuanmingyuan garden and palace complex, which is the former Imperial Summer Palace.
Yudaiqiao has a beautiful shape and was created many centuries ago. In winter, frosts are possible in Beijing, and the air temperature is about -7 ° C. During the day, it is much warmer and the air warms up to +4 ° C. At this time, interesting festivals are held, and there are sales in stores. Tourists should also try traditional dishes in local restaurants. A tour of the Gongwangfu Park will allow you to see the unique palaces, temples, created in 1776. This complex houses a theater and a museum. The facility is located in the Xicheng district, st. Haisi, 17.
Gongwangfu is interesting for tourists with ancient palaces with artful decoration. Trees and flowers bloom in the parks in spring, and a trip to Beijing will be as enjoyable as possible. It is worth visiting Yonghegong Temple at this time, which is considered one of the most beautiful places in the city. Presumably, this object was built in the 17th century. Here you can see a huge statue of Buddha, as well as smaller sculptures installed in many rooms. The facility is located in the northeastern part of Beijing.
Yonghegong is one of the most beautiful temples and here you can meet tourists, locals and monks. Traveling to Beijing in summer is the best option for an exciting vacation. It is warm at this time of year and there is an opportunity to explore the sights on long excursions.
Video: Overview of the Yonghegong Temple in Beijing
Entertainment and attractions for children
In the capital of China, excursions and entertainment for the whole family are possible. At the same time, there are several places that will be especially interesting for children. Tourists can visit the following attractions in Beijing:
- The Peace Park covers an area of 460,000 m 2 and visitors can see here smaller copies of famous buildings from around the world. Reproductions of famous sculptures, bright flower beds adorn this resting place. The facility is located at Fengbaotai road, 158. Children can visit the park for free, and a ticket for adults costs about 960 rubles;
Peace Park is an interesting place for tourists to relax, because here you can see copies of famous objects - The Valley of Happiness Amusement Park in Beijing is one of the most visited places in the city. Carousels for children of different ages, modern attractions, thematic zones, cafes and much more are located on an area of 560,000 m 2. Amusement Park Address: Beijing, Chaoyang District, Dongsihuan, Xiaowujibei Road. It is easy to get there by buses No. 674, 680 and 684 (Hua Qiao Cheng Nan stop) and No. 31 and 41 (Hou Feng Qiao Nan Lu stop);
Happy Valley amusement park has many modern and interesting rides making it popular and famous - Beijing Zoo is among the top 10 best and largest zoos in the world. More than 7,000 animals live here in spacious enclosures. The zoo has a cafe, entertainment areas, aviaries with birds, an aquarium and other interesting places. Address: Xizhimenwai Dajie, 137. Nearby there is Dong Wu Yuan station (4th line);
Beijing Zoo is considered one of the largest in the world - The Beijing Aquarium was opened in 1999 and is now a popular holiday destination for tourists and locals. This place is known for the longest underwater tunnel in Asia, as well as a moving platform from which you can observe marine life. The aquarium is located at 137 Xiwai Street, Xizhimen, Haidian District. It can be easily reached by bus routes: 106, 205 or 104.
Beijing Oceanarium has the longest tunnel in Asia
During their holidays in Beijing, children may also be interested in ancient temples, because such objects are beautifully decorated. One of the entertainments can be a visit to the National Museum. Souvenirs and handicrafts are worth buying, which are often colorful designs and will appeal to children. Tourists can dine in Chinese restaurants or establishments offering European cuisine.
Features of a short break in Beijing
The capital of China occupies a large area, but the most interesting sights are located in the center. Therefore, tourists can devote only 1 day to excursions, and for this it is not necessary to check into a hotel. For a one-day stay in Beijing, it is important to determine the date and time of departure. After that, you need to place your luggage in the storage room of the airport or train station, and then proceed to familiarize yourself with the culture of the city.
When your stay in the capital of China lasts more than 1 day, it is important to book a hotel room or apartment in advance. After accommodation, you can start excursions, entertainment and walks around the city.
Traditions, culture and rules of stay
When traveling to Beijing, tourists should know some rules of conduct to avoid unpleasant situations and show respect for others. The main rules are:
- in hotels and inns, it is not customary to leave a tip to the service personnel. You can bargain in the market, but you cannot do this in stores;
- locals will easily tell you the way to any place, but if there is a language barrier, you just need to show the current on the map and the taxi driver will quickly deliver to the right place;
- It is best to learn the correct names of local attractions in advance, which will facilitate travel and walks in Beijing;
- currency exchange is best done at special points or banks;
- all hotels and even budget hotels provide the necessary equipment, have a bathroom and a high level of service.
Photo gallery: maps of some areas of Beijing
In Beijing, a large park is popular for recreation. The Botanical Garden is located near the center. Lakes in Beijing are popular for boat trips. The palaces of the Forbidden City are in the center of Beijing.
Beijing is an amazing metropolis, which has a lot of attractions for a small country. The Chinese are proud of their own capital and decorate it with modern buildings. Despite the fact that in Beijing, technological progress is developing by leaps and bounds, there are as many old attractions in this city as there are novelties in the entertainment sector.
What to see in Beijing?
It is in Beijing that the section of the Great Wall of China is most conveniently located, which will not be difficult to inspect. There are imperial palaces, cobbled streets and huge highways.
For nature lovers, there are parks and gardens in the city, a large zoo is open, and access to natural attractions in the vicinity of the capital is organized.
National museums, technical exhibitions and emperors' tombs are open to visitors from early morning until late at night. Beijing will not leave anyone indifferent, you just need to step off the plane on its ground.
An architectural wonder of Ancient China has stood in its place since the 3rd century BC. The most visited section of the wall in Beijing is called Badaling. There is a developed tourist infrastructure next to this piece of the wall: there are cafes, souvenir shops and ticket offices with tickets.
Climbing the Great Wall is not at all easy, the ascent is long, and the steps are old, so you need to dress comfortably and take water with you.
The entrance ticket to the steps can be purchased for 45-50 yuan. Those who come with sightseeing buses already have such tickets on hand. Stunning views from the wall.
For a long time, ordinary people were punished with death for unintentional or deliberate entry into the Forbidden City. Today you can see the unique sight almost at any time.
Today, the palace complex is still the largest in the world. For the construction of the imperial city, many astronomers chose the best place in Beijing.
From the Qing and Ming clans, 24 imperial dynasties lived in the Forbidden City. Now Gugun has been turned into an open-air museum. You can visit it from 8.30 am to 5 pm by purchasing an entrance ticket at the ticket office at the entrance, or ordering it on the website of the complex.
The Chinese Revolution, the history of China, various antiquities - all this is contained under the huge roof of the National Museum in Beijing. About 620 thousand valuable exhibits are kept at exhibitions and in the storerooms of the museum.
The jewels of the museum are the garments of the Jade Prince, as well as the sacrificial tripod of the Ding dynasty..
Paintings, canvases with embroidery, statues, household items and much more that can tell about the formation of China are in the museum among the frequently changing and permanent exhibitions. This institution can be visited freely without an entrance ticket, the museum is closed on Mondays.
At the Beijing Zoo, everything is arranged so that the animals feel there as in their natural habitat. About 7 thousand living creatures live in spacious, clean and comfortable enclosures. Many of them are rare or nearly extinct species.
There are also famous pandas in the Beijing Zoo. To visit them, you need to buy a separate ticket. The pampered animals are quite lazy, so visitors sit in front of their enclosures for a long time before the pandas are shown..
The zoo itself is huge, decorated in the best traditions of Chinese design, it is best to spend a whole day to visit it. There you can see rare tigers, bears, salamanders, various birds and other wildlife.
The city of Qufu is considered the birthplace of the famous Confucius, but the largest and most beautiful temple dedicated to the philosopher is located in the capital of China.
The first stones were laid in the masonry of the temple in 1302. Until 20, religious ceremonies were held in the temple in honor of the founder of the doctrine.
Today the temple has a vast territory, divided into 4 courtyards. The religious building is open to tourists.
The grandiose Temple of Heaven was built to make it easier for the emperors, the messengers of heaven, to communicate with the Gods on the winter solstice. The construction began in 1402, the main hall of the temple was made round, the roof was painted in sky blue.
The central altar of the building is made of 9 marble slabs. Peking people know that words spoken in a whisper on the upper slab of the altar create a mystical resonance in space..
After visiting the temple, you can go to the adjacent park. The park area of the Temple of Heaven amazes with its splendor and exquisite landscape. In this park, locals go in for sports in the morning.
In the 16th century, Jesuit priests cured the Kanxi Emperor of a serious illness. The generous and grateful Vladyka presented the Jesuits with a piece of land and allowed them to rebuild the temple.
The architecture of the temple is whimsical: the Gothic style is decorated with Chinese ornaments. Contrary to Christian dogmas, 4 lion statues protect the temple from evil spirits.
In our time, the cathedral is active. Both Chinese Christians and Europeans living in Beijing come to Sunday services.
A progressive high-tech business center is located in Wangjing District. It consists of three irregularly shaped skyscrapers, resembling either carps jumping out of the water, or three mountains towering over the area.
The skyscrapers were designed by the deconstructivist architect Zaha Hadid.
These skyscrapers are notable for the fact that not a single right angle can be found in them. Even in skyscrapers, there is a special control of water supply and air, which helps to halve the consumption of electricity and water in them.
One of the largest amusement parks in China is called the "Valley of Happiness" for a reason. Almost 100 various attractions, countless slot machines, a huge shopping center and a large cinema await their guests on the grandiose and large-scale territory of the park.
The total area of the "Valley of Happiness" is more than 560 square meters. km.
The theme areas of the park have references to ancient civilizations, natural phenomena and insects. Actors dressed as characters from famous cartoons and films walk along the paths of the valley. Many cafes and restaurants with different menus attract visitors even after closing, as this is when the main water and fire performances begin in the park.
The tall and laconic TV tower in the capital serves not only its intended purpose. It has an excellent observation deck, which offers a breathtaking view of Beijing.
The observation deck is at a height of 238 meters. There are 1,500 steps and a high-speed elevator leading to it..
The TV tower also has a revolving restaurant, and its basement houses the Pacific Underwater World, where real penguins, fish and jellyfish live.
The capital's botanical garden was founded in 1955. Despite its young age, the garden is able to surprise both an experienced botanist and a simple layman.
A total of 600 orchid species grow in the garden's glass greenhouses.
The landscape of the institution is intricate, decorated with dry and real streams, alleys with lush greenery, flower beds with tulips and other flowers. The Temple of the Sleeping Buddha, dating from the 8th century AD, is located in the Beijing garden.
The shores of the man-made Lake Houhai are overgrown with weeping willows. A colorful reservoir was built along with the Forbidden City to decorate its territory.
Houhai is a corner of ancient Chinese flavor with national restaurants, traditional houses and long boating.
In the evenings, the stars and the lights of the embankment are reflected in the waters of the lake. This place is considered very romantic and cozy, therefore it is often chosen for dates.
The famous bridge, named after an equally famous traveler, is located 16 km from Beijing. Its length is 235 meters. The Marco Polo Bridge is pedestrianized and has a recognizable architectural concept.
The bridge is crowned with 500 lion statues adorning its railings. There is a marble gazebo next to the bridge.
If you walk along this bridge to the end, you can see the Wanping Fortress, dotted with traces of cannonballs and bullets. Near the fortress there is a memorial park dedicated to the anti-war theme.
The Muslim community in China has very few followers compared to other religions in the state. The first missionaries of Islam came to China in 651. Since then, most of the followers have lived in the outskirts, but in the center for them was built the Niujie mosque, which was erected in 996.
A Muslim mosque looks like a Chinese pagoda. Inside there is a prayer hall, terraces and an observatory..
Due to the fact that the temple is active, its inspection is possible only on Sunday. On simple days, services are regularly held there, so parishioners and clergy are allowed in.
Tiananmen is the area where the location of the mausoleum of one of the most famous people in China is located. In the morning, people stand in long queues to look at the embalmed body of the leader Mao.
During his lifetime, Mao himself gave the order for cremation as a method of burying his body, but his loyal companions disobeyed the leader, enclosing the corpse in a glass case..
Many Chinese people go to Beijing just to honor Mao's memory, and then tell their relatives about it with pride and trepidation.
The complex name of the Yuanminyuan Palace in translation from Chinese means "Gardens of absolute clarity." Today the ancient structure lies in ruins, but the Summer Imperial Palace was once superior to other palaces in China.
The first palace on this site was rebuilt in 1153.
After the erection of the residence, almost every subsequent emperor of China erected new buildings on the palace grounds. A fire that happened in the palace complex in 1860 destroyed the buildings and the palace itself almost completely. Now tourists can view only fragments of walls and foundations to take the most beautiful photographs there.
Beijing's famed Silk Market looks like a shopping mall with several floors piled high with goods. Silk products, jewelry, handicrafts are sold on the market from 9 am to 10 pm.
It is customary to bargain in this market. The price of goods is greatly inflated initially, so without hesitation you can knock it down by half..
Pickpocketing is more common in the Beijing market than elsewhere. Before going there, you need to shift valuables and money into the inner pockets of your clothes.
The Beijing Opera is a paragon of Chinese operatic art. The operatic traditions of China are not like similar institutions in other countries; much attention is paid to the costumes, make-up and acting skills of the performers in Peking Opera.
The Beijing Opera House is located on an artificial island in the center of the city. The building itself resembles an ellipse, from the inside it looks like a huge spaceship.
The Beijing troupes received a new venue for their performances in 2008. The Opera was designed by the architect Paul Andre.
When planning a trip to Beijing, it is worth including Sanshan Park there. The best time to visit it is autumn, but at other times of the year the park is beautiful and amazing.
Sanshan was built in 1186. It houses many decorative bridges, ponds where birds settled, alleys with gazebos and benches.
This park has one feature - it is the Lyuli Pagoda. The beautiful structure allows you to view almost the entire park from a hill.
In liberated and frivolous Beijing, Red Light Street is not what you think. There are no naked dancers, and carnal pleasures are presented in a completely different sphere - in the sphere of cooking.
Donghuamen is an entire street where chefs of all stripes roast scorpions, cockroaches, caterpillars and traditional Chinese fast food on open trays..
Not every visitor to the Chinese capital dares to try at least something of this variety. The red lanterns in the street name directly point to the lanterns above the merchants' shops. These lanterns decorate and illuminate the whole street, creating a special atmosphere there.
