Beijing Travel Guide

Beijing is the capital of China, located at the northern edge of the North China Plain, and is an ancient capital that served as the imperial seat during the Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties. The city is surrounded by mountains to the north and west, while its central area features a grid-like road network and narrow alleyways known as hutongs.In and around Beijing, numerous World Heritage sites are scattered throughout the region, including the Forbidden City (Palace Museum), which is part of the "Imperial Palaces of the Ming and Qing Dynasties in Beijing and Shenyang"; the Temple of Heaven; the Summer Palace; the Great Wall; and the Ming Tombs. The Forbidden City was the imperial palace where emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties resided, the Temple of Heaven was a ritual complex where emperors prayed for bountiful harvests, and the Summer Palace is a royal garden featuring Kunming Lake and Longevity Hill. In the suburbs, you can visit iconic sections of the Great Wall, such as Badaling and Mutianyu.Hutongs still preserve traditional courtyard houses, and areas like Nanluoguxiang and Shichahai are popular spots for strolling. The 798 Art District, housed in renovated former factories, is renowned as a hub for contemporary art, and together with the Bird's Nest (National Stadium)—a venue for the 2008 Olympics—it helps define the modern face of this ancient capital.Beijing has served as the capital under the Jin, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties and is now the capital of the People's Republic of China. Its main air hubs are Beijing Capital International Airport and Beijing Daxing International Airport, while its railway network is centered around Beijing Railway Station and Beijing South Railway Station, with high-speed rail links connecting it to cities like Shanghai and Xi'an. As a city where tradition and innovation intersect, Beijing offers a unique opportunity to experience both China's past and present in one place.