Forbidden City & Dongcheng Central
This attractive double-eaved hall is the only Taoist temple located on the central axis of Beijing.
Must-see attractions in Beijing
Forbidden City & Dongcheng Central
A gate leading to the Hall of Martial Valour.
Beijing
Known for the whimsical, often playful style of his watercolours, Qi Baishi (1864–1957) was an influential Chinese painter who lived in Beijing from 1917…
Beijing
The Longqing Emperor, 12th of the Ming Dynasty, only managed a six-year shift on the Dragon Throne before he was entombed here, along with three empresses…
Beijing
Often described as the MIT to Peking University's Harvard, Tsinghua is China's second-most prestigious university. The gigantic campus is known for its…
Temple of Heaven Park & Dongcheng South
Running due south from Beijing's 'front gate', the mighty Qianmen, this street was once the main commercial thoroughfare through what was known as the …
Beijing
Adjacent to the restored Wanshou Temple is the evocatively crumbling facade of the Yanqing Temple, its buildings long since appropriated into tatty…
Forbidden City & Dongcheng Central
This inactive Tibetan Buddhist temple can't be entered, but the elevated square in front, which forms part of a small park, is a peaceful little escape…
Beijing
Si Ling is the tomb of the last of the Ming emperors, Chongzhen, who hanged himself at Coal Hill – today's Jingshan Park – as rebels stormed the gates of…
Beijing
The tomb of the Zhengtong Emperor (1427–1442), who famously became emperor twice. Captured by the Mongols after a disastrous military campaign, he was…
Beijing
Tourist bottleneck and historic view, this stumpy bridge (rebuilt several times), divides Houhai and Qianhai lakes. On a perfectly clear day looking west…
Forbidden City & Dongcheng Central
Several teetering old storehouses here once held grain and rice for the imperial family. Today they've been integrated into a fairly lacklustre enclave of…
Southwest Gate City Wall Remains
Beijing
The lesser sibling to the Ming City Wall Ruins Park, this restored chunk of Beijing's dearly departed ramparts is stranded in a phalanx of traffic. You…
Temple of Heaven Park & Dongcheng South
The former front gate of Beijing's Outer City Wall, the original Yongding Gate was demolished in the 1950s. Rebuilt in 2005, it stands, rather forlornly,…
Olympic Park Observation Tower
Beijing
Supposed to have been built in time for the Olympics, 'Big Nails' as this 247m-tall tower became known was put on hold, and only opened in 2015. The…
Beijing
The tomb of the Hongxi Emperor (1378–1425), the second emperor to be buried at the Ming Tombs after Yongle in Chang Ling next door. Not open for visitors.
Beijing
The tomb of the Xuande Emperor, who died in 1435. It's not open for visitors, but you can walk here from Chang Ling in 15 minutes, and peer in at the…
Forbidden City & Dongcheng Central
In Beijing's Former Legation Quarter, this grey brick building served as the French Post Office in the early 20th century. It was recently a Sichuan…
Forbidden City & Dongcheng Central
Outside the northwest walls of the Forbidden City is this Qing dynasty Buddhist temple, once used for worshipping the god of rain. It's one of several in…
Temple of Heaven Park & Dongcheng South
With nine considered an auspicious number, this gate was one of the nine altar gates within the Temple of Heaven Park complex. Note that you cannot enter…
Temple of Heaven Park & Dongcheng South
Also known as the Zhaoheng Gate (昭亨门; Zhāohēng Mén) the emperor and entourage would enter the temple complex through here. It's now one of the four main…
Forbidden City & Dongcheng Central
This branch of the famous Sheng Xi Fu Hat Store has a quirky, free-to-visit hat museum out the back, revealing the history of the company and of hats in…
Forbidden City & Dongcheng Central
One of the main halls within the Workers' Cultural Palace, but closed to visitors. It was used to store the spirit tablets of imperial ancestors in its…
Forbidden City & Dongcheng Central
Known locally as the Resting Hall, this imperial building has a yellow-glazed eave-hipped roof. Closed for visitors.
Temple of Heaven Park & Dongcheng South
One of the four main access points to Temple of Heaven Park.
Beijing
A small islet at the southeastern end of Kunming Lake, the Phoenix Mound is a popular vantage point.
Beijing
The tomb of the Zhengde Emperor, who reigned from 1506–21. It's not open for visitors.
Beijing
These wistful ruins are found on a small island in the West Lake area.
