Beijing
Reached via the 17-Arch Bridge, this temple on South Lake Island was used by the royal family to pray for rain in times of drought. At sunset, the nearby…
Must-see attractions in Beijing
Forbidden City & Dongcheng Central
The Gate of Heavenly Purity was the main portal between the outer and inner courts of the Forbidden City. Note the pair of gilded bronze lions guarding…
Forbidden City & Dongcheng Central
The Forbidden City’s north gate, for exit-only. From here you can cross the road into Jingshan Park. During imperial times, the gate was used by servants…
Beijing
Way out on the northeastern fringes of Beijing, this hangar-like museum contains dozens of historic locos, including several souped-up carriages used by…
Temple of Heaven Park & Dongcheng South
With its double-tiered roof of green glazed tiles, the Animal Killing Pavilion was where the slaughter of oxen, sheep, deer and other animals took place,…
Arthur M Sackler Museum of Art & Archaeology
Beijing
Exhibits at this museum on the campus of Peking University include the skeleton of the Jinniushan Man, thought to be more than 250,000 years old, bronze…
Temple of Heaven Park & Dongcheng South
A covered promenade connecting the Animal Killing Pavilion with the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, the Long Corridor these days is a veritable mini…
Beijing
The tomb of the Taichang Emperor, one of the last emperors to be interred at the Ming Tombs. The road here actually passes through the grounds of the…
Forbidden City & Dongcheng Central
A green-roofed building rises behind a wall at No 40, which was once the Dutch Legation. To the north, a faded street sign reads 'USSR Embassy Compound…
China Science & Technology Museum
Beijing
Suitable for kids, this imposing facility 8km north of the city centre has an array of hands-on scientific exhibitions, a kids' science playground and 3D…
Beijing
An artificial causeway spanning the western side of Kunming Lake, this is a tribute to the famous Su Causeway in Hangzhou. You'll see fewer visitors here…
Forbidden City & Dongcheng Central
One of the six western palaces in the Forbidden City, this was the residence of various empresses and imperial concubines. The Chongzhen Emperor (1628…
Forbidden City & Dongcheng Central
Built after the Boxer Rebellion in 1910, this is one of most impressive western-style buildings in the Former Legation Quarter. It's now home to the China…
Forbidden City & Dongcheng Central
This hall contains interesting photos of the last emperor Puyi, who lived here as a child ruler at the turn of the 20th century. Empress Dowager Cixi also…
Forbidden City & Dongcheng Central
One of the six eastern palaces, this dates from 1420, and was used as a residence of imperial concubines. Today it houses a museum displaying a range of…
Beijing
Cast in 1755, this life-sized, bronze sculpture of an ox was set at the eastern shore of Kunming Lake to guard against floods, the ox believed to be in…
Beijing
Admire the burnished sculptures of Zhu Bingren, a fourth-generation bronze and copper craftsman from Shandong province. The big-ticket installation on…
Forbidden City & Dongcheng Central
One of the six eastern palaces in the Forbidden City, this was a residence of imperial concubines. Emperor Kangxi, most exalted of the Qing emperors (or…
Palace of Earthly Tranquillity
Forbidden City & Dongcheng Central
This palace was originally the residence of the empress, and in later times became the imperial couple’s bridal chamber (they only spent the first two…
Beijing
Built in the Ming Dynasty as a fishing spot for emperors, the five ornate pavilions over the water are joined by a corridor said to resemble a swimming…
Forbidden City & Dongcheng Central
Built in 1420, this palace has been the residence of numerous empresses, imperial concubines and consorts. It's one of the six eastern palaces in the…
Beijing
The North Palace Gate is not as busy as the East Palace Gate. It's fun to clamber up the back of Longevity Hill from here. The gate is close to the…
Forbidden City & Dongcheng Central
This historic entryway is all you can see of the palatial former British Legation, now home to China's Security Bureau. It was where most of the…
Beijing
Ornamental gate along the Spirit Way path at the Ming Tombs, adorned with a dragon symbolising the emperor and a phoenix for the empress.
Beijing
Inside the Beijing Botanical Gardens is the former home of Cao Xueqin, author of the classic novel Dream of the Red Chamber.
Gate of Prayer for Good Harvests
Temple of Heaven Park & Dongcheng South
A gateway on the Red Stairway Bridge that opens on to the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests.
Beijing
This hall displays various cultural artefacts and imperial heirlooms from the Summer Palace, including Empress Cixi's calligraphy, as well as bronze and…
Temple of Heaven Park & Dongcheng South
You'll pass through this ornamental portal if you are accessing the Temple of Heaven Park from the main east entrance.
Forbidden City & Dongcheng Central
One of the Forbidden City's six eastern palaces, this is notable for being the former residence of the young Xianfeng Emperor, who lived here with his mum.
Temple of Heaven Park & Dongcheng South
An ornamental gate at the northern edge of the park, some distance inside the main Temple of Heaven North Gate.
Forbidden City & Dongcheng Central
A portal leading to the Hall of Martial Valour in the western regions of the Forbidden City's outer court.
Temple of Heaven Park & Dongcheng South
This ornamental gateway will take you towards the main sights if you enter the park at the main west gate.
Forbidden City & Dongcheng Central
The northeasternmost of the six eastern palaces of the Forbidden City, it started out as a residence for concubines, and later became a library.
Temple of Heaven Park & Dongcheng South
One of the most pleasant spots in the Temple of Heaven Park, especially when the roses are in bloom.
Forbidden City & Dongcheng Central
Small gate leading to the Gate of Divine Prowess, which serves as the Forbidden City's north exit.
Beijing
Beijing's largest park has plenty for kids, from fairground rides to pedal boats and swimming, and even a makeshift ski slope in winter.
Gate Tower of the Cloud-Retaining Eaves
Beijing
This tower within the Summer Palace once housed a statue of Guanyu, the God of War.
Beijing
Constructed in the 18th century, Changguan Hall was destroyed by Anglo-French soldiers in 1860 and subsequently rebuilt.
Beijing
This ornamental hall (zaojian means algae or seaweed) sits on Seaweed-Viewing Island on Kunming Lake.
Pavilion of Spreading Righteousness
Forbidden City & Dongcheng Central
This pavilion was used during the Qing dynasty to store gold and silver objects used for ceremonial rituals.
