Beijing, China Travel Guide - Sightseeing, Hotel, Restaurant & Shopping Highlights (Illustrated)

The city of Beijing provides a rare combination of modernity and tradition. From the historical roots of the Forbidden City to the strikingly modern Olympic Stadium, Beijing reflects a dynamic balance of the past and present.

As the capital of China for over 800 years, Beijing remains heavily tied to China’s imperial past. The city boasts many of the nation’s most culturally significant sites including the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, the Summer Palace and the Temple of Heaven—just to name a few.

While deeply entrenched in its historical roots, Beijing is also a city undergoing tremendous change. The last decade has brought explosive modern growth to Beijing, transforming the city into a truly international metropolis. High-rise buildings, a prominent central business district, the largest airport terminal in the world and a modern Olympic Stadium are only a handful of changes that have contributed to the transformation of the city’s landscape.

Table of Contents:

Introduction to Beijing, China
Overview
Culture
Location & Orientation
Climate & When To Visit
Sightseeing Highlights
Forbidden City
Tiananmen Square
Temple of Heaven
Hutongs
Houhai Lake District
Beihai Park
Beijing Capital Museum
Beijing Planning Exhibition Hall
Olympic Park
Great Wall at Badaling
Great Wall at Mutianyu
Summer Palace
798 Art District
Recommendations for the Budget Traveler
Places To Stay
Red Wall Garden Hotel
Mao’er Courtyard
The Orchid Beijing
Park Plaza Beijing Wangfujing
Marriott Hotel Beijing City Wall
Places To Eat & Drink
Din Tai Fung
Mr. Shi’s Dumplings
Noodle Loft
Yu Xiang Ren Jia
Dadong Roast Duck
Places To Shop
Wangfujing Street
Sanlituan
Panjiayuan Weekend Market
Hongqiao “Pearl” Market
The Silk Alley Market