China is undoubtedly one of the most picturesque countries to visit because of its beautiful sceneries which look like they would be perfect as wallpapers. The third most populous city in the World, also the Capital of China, Beijing offers numerous historical places and ancient structures to visit with a history that dates back 3000 years. If you want to learn about China’s glorious past, book cheap flight tickets to Beijing and fly to this ancient city. When you’re in Beijing, here are the 7 most historic tourist places to visit in Beijing which you shouldn’t miss.
The Forbidden City
Also known as the Imperial Palace, the Forbidden City is an imperial palace built during the Ming Dynasty and has been the residence of various Chinese emperors. The Forbidden City was used by the Qing dynasty rulers as the main place where various formal ceremonies were held. Also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it has the biggest set of well-preserved ancient structures that are made of wood – they are also some of the oldest in the world. As one of the most-visited tourist places to visit in Beijing, it receives an average of 15 million visitors every year.
The Great Wall of China
One of the Seven Wonders of the World, the Great Wall of China is a mighty 21196-km fortified ancient wall with earliest parts of it being built in 7th century BC during the period of warring kingdoms. The most famous portions of the wall were built during the Ming Dynasty. It was declared as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
Travel-tip:
For those who wish to travel in comfort, my suggestion is to book cheap business class flight tickets to Beijing instead of economy class.
Temple of Heaven
The Temple of Heaven is an imperial religious complex built for the Emperors of Mind and Qing dynasties. The annual celebrations, ceremonies and prayers were held at this beautiful imperial temple where the Chinese emperors offered prayers to the Heavens for a fruitful harvest. The temple is over 600 years old as it was built during the rule of Zhu Di, the third emperor of the Ming Dynasty.
Summer Palace
One of the must-see and most beautiful places to visit in Beijing is the Summer Palace of Beijing. Its history dates back to Jin Dynasty (1153). Also declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the summer palace is known as a Chinese masterpiece in terms of landscape designed to complement the natural landscape of the region with hills and lakes enhanced by the beautiful pavilions, palaces, temples, halls, and brigdes.
Beihai Park (The Winter Palace)
Beihai Park is an 11th century imperial garden which features many important and historic palaces, temples and other structures. Spread across an area of 69 hectares, it is the largest Chinese garden which is open to public as a park. Many of its landscapes and structures were designed with inspiration from famous scenic spots in China like the Taihu Lake, spacious structures of Hangzhou and Yangzhou, Suzhouz gardens etc.
Tiananmen Square
One of the largest city squares in the world, Tiananmen Square is an important historical tourist attraction to visit in Beijing as it was the venue for numerous major historical events of China. However, it is most-known for the 1989 massacre perpetrated by the Chinese government against several thousand students who were protesting the government as a part of the 1989 Democracy Movement. Built in 1651 during the Qing dynasty, it is home to many historic structures which are definitely worth checking out.
Old Summer Palace
Previously called the Imperial Gardens, the Old Summer Palace was built in 18th century as the summer residence of the Qianglong Emperor. This imperial palace was the place where the Qing dynasty rulers handled the official affairs during summer. The palace was destroyed completely by the British troops in order to showcase their wrath and entitlement after the Qing dynasty emperor refused to surrender. Many of its treasures were looted by the British and are now held on display around the world in various museums including sculptures, jades, silk robes, and other golden artifacts.
What is the best time to visit Beijing?
The best time to visit Beijing in terms of climatic conditions is during the months of May, June, September and October. It’s better to avoid the spring due to frequent sandstorms as well as the extreme temperatures of summer and winter. The hottest months in Beijing are July and August with temperature reaching an all-time high of 37 C, while the lowest temperature is -15deg C in January.
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