BEIJING

China’s capital and cultural heart, Beijing is a bustling urban metropolis brimming with unbridled energy. Visited by millions of travelers each year, this city of more than 20 million boasts a rich cultural tapestry, with six UNESCO-classified World Heritage sites and more than 100 museums. Explore The Great Wall (by foot or by helicopter); take a rickshaw tour of Beijing’s old districts; learn about the city’s popular tea culture on a visit to one of its traditional teahouses; and shop at Joy City, a 13-story shopper’s paradise equipped with the world’s longest escalator.

GETTING THERE

Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) is located 16 miles northeast of the city center. All metered taxis cost about $2 for the first two miles and 50 cents each additional mile. A ride downtown runs $13–21. Airport shuttle buses run five routes to major destinations downtown and cost $3. The metro’s Airport Express Line to Dongzhimen Station stops at terminals 2 and 3 and travels to the city center in less than 20 minutes for about $4 a ticket.

GETTING AROUND

Taxis are a popular method of getting around, though service is often slow due to the congested conditions of street-level traffic. The Beijing Subway is an efficient alternative, with 16 lines plus the Airport Express Line running throughout the city, with announcements in both Chinese and English. One-way tickets with unlimited transfers cost about 35 cents.

TOP ATTRACTIONS

The Great Wall of China
Declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1987, The Great Wall is a symbol of Chinese civilization, spanning a history of more than 2,000 years and covering approximately 5,500 miles from east to west. The closest and most well-preserved section is the Badaling Great Wall, located approximately 43 miles north of the city. Take a helicopter ride and take in the magnificent views from the sky with tour service provided by Hainan Airlines.

The Summer Palace
Once a summer retreat for emperors, The Summer Palace is the largest rural garden in China, offering 290 acres of lush landscape dotted with ancient pavilions, temples, mansions and a large lake. Added to the World Heritage List in 1998, this site is the perfect place to spend a leisurely morning or afternoon away from the hustle and bustle of the Forbidden City.

The Temple of Heaven
The largest temple in Beijing, The Temple of Heaven is a UNESCO- accredited site built in the first half of the 15th century and used by the emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties to pray for a year of bountiful harvests. Stroll through the grounds of this huge park complex and admire the temple’s beautifully painted beams and large, round, blue-tiled roofs. The temple is open daily 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m., and the park is open 6 a.m.–8 p.m.

EVENTS AND FESTIVALS

Beijing International Music Festival
One of the most important events in classical music in China, the Beijing International Music Festival brings together pianists, violinists, cellists, violists and other musicians from all over the world to showcase their talents. Classical music enthusiasts can enjoy performances and competitions at the Beijing International Music Academy each year in October.

Lantern Festival
Held annually in March, the Lantern Festival commemorates the end of Chinese New Year. Enjoy yuanxiao (a stuffed rice ball served in soup that symbolizes togetherness) while playing Chinese riddles and admiring the sea of lanterns of every size and shape that people take to the streets under the full moon.

Yuyuantan Park Ice and Snow Festival
Enjoy a slew of winter activities such as sledding, horse-drawn carriage rides and snow tubing at the Yuyuantan Park Ice and Snow Festival, celebrated each year mid-December through mid-February in Yuyuantan Park, one of the 10 largest parks in Beijing.

RESOURCES

For more information, visit visitbeijing.com.cn