Overview

Beijing is a common entry point for foreign visitors, and we are happy to arrange an itinerary for our guests that includes many of the “must-see”  places that the city has to offer.

These include:

The Great Wall extends in the distance over the mountains

• The Great Wall
• The Forbidden City
• The Summer Palace
• Tian’anmen Square
• The Temple of Heaven
• The Bird’s Nest and
  Olympic Village
• Hongqiao Pearl Market
• Panjiayuan Antique Market
• 798 Modern Art District

Read below for more information, and just ask us about adding Beijing to  your itinerary!
With China emerging as a world leader on the heels of its successful 2008 Olympic Games, Beijing boasts world class tourism attractions, accommodations and cuisine on par with any world capital.  Visits to legendary Chinese destinations such as the Great Wall, Forbidden City, or Summer Palace require most or all of a day to explore.

Urban Beijing

The massive Tian’anmen Square still marks the exact center of Beijing with 6 concentric urban ring roads spreading out around it.  While Tian’anmen’s recent history requires little introduction, standing in the vast central square with major Chinese iconography and imagery on all sides still invokes a powerful feeling of historical resonance past and present.

Beyond Tian’anmen visitors could spend days on foot or on bike understanding the history of Beijing from the Forbidden City,  home to generations of Chinese Emperors to Mao Zedong’s Tomb, and the Temple of Heaven.  Some well-preserved labyrinthine “hutong” neighborhoods still dot the areas around the city center.

While all of the above sites exemplify the pronounced tradition and history of Chinese civilization’s cultural center, a truly cosmopolitan city has emerged alongside the past. The Chaoyang financial district is just a few blocks down town from Tian’anmen Square. Chaoyang’s embassy district is still overshadowed by the very international Sanlitun district just to its north. Meanwhile the Olympic Stadium, “The Bird’s Nest”, is a modern architectural jewel on the north side of the city. Lastly, the 798 art district has become increasingly popular among foreign tourists in recent years. Visitors can spend hours exploring galleries and experiencing how art and history have converged to influence a new generation of Chinese artists.

The Great Wall

The Great Wall is the emblem of China and should not be missed by any visitor to China.  The wall winds for thousands of kilometers across Northern China and has countless sections that can be visited both near to Beijing and in western provinces. Many different Great Wall sites ranging from 1-3 hours driving distance exist outside Beijing. The Badaling section is the closest, and therefore the busiest. Jinshanling is excellent, especially for half-day hikes along the wall, but it is 3 full hours from Beijing.  Simatai is another popular destination well known for the surrounding hiking and scenery. The Mutianyu section provides a good compromise about 2 hours from Beijing with some alpine slides down from the wall as well.

Overland China typically recommends a 4 day stay in Beijing for our clients, although a 3 or 5 day visit can still work as part of any China tour.