Table of Contents
Introduction
The capital city of China, known as Beijing, is exceptionally a city of ancient and modern city. As one of the most inhabited and historically notable cities of the globe, it is able to offer foreigners an engaging picture of the Chinese past, culture, and city planning. Beijing will not leave you indifferent as well, as you may be a history enthusiast, an individual fond of modern constructions, or a gourmet. Here, in this article, we will be able to witness a rich history, some iconic buildings and places, modern marvels, food, and etiquette that make Beijing a place that you need to visit.
A Glimpse into its Rich History
The history of Beijing dates back to more than 3,000 years and is therefore one of the oldest cities in the world. Being the political and cultural capital of China throughout centuries, the imperial history of Beijing had its traces in the splendorous Establishments of Beijing. Some of the most dominant dynasties of China that once proceeded with their operations in the city were the Yuan, the Ming, and the Qing Dynasties. Such prominence in history further makes Beijing a must-visit place for any tourist who shows interest in the rich history of China.
The Great Wall of China
No one would want to visit Beijing without visiting the Great Wall of China. This wall was built along the border with those who were to the north. It consisted of more than 13000 miles and was built to protect the Chinese state against invasion. The wall winds all across mountains, valleys, and deserts as it provides a magnificent view. The visitors can have a chance to observe various components of the wall, with the most popular ones being Badaling and Mutianyu. Such sections are well left and are still accessible to the tourists; nevertheless, with less crowded places for the tourist who desires to have a more immediate effect.
The Forbidden City
Among the well-known spots of Beijing is the Imperial Palace, also known as the Forbidden City. It lies under a UNESCO World Heritage site, and that is a huge complex where the rulers of China, the emperors, have lived for 500 years. The palace is a magnificent structure of traditional Chinese architecture, and it is draped with golden roofs, body carvings, and skyscraper courts. Visitors who visit the Forbidden City as tourists feel like traveling back in time because the visitor is a visitor to the lavish life in which the imperial leaders of China lived.
Temple of Heaven
The Temple of Heaven is another well-known historical landmark in Beijing. It is an ancient religious site where emperors went to pray to weather good harvests. The temple is characterized by a bright architecture as it has a circular shape with symbolism of the dwelling and a square shape symbolizing the Earth. The visitors can be struck by the accuracy of the design, which is constructed elaborate to the principles of Chinese cosmology. The immediate park around can also be considered a perfect resting place, a traditional Chinese show place, or the place where local citizens practice tai chi as well.
Summer Palace
The Summer Palace is the palace garden where Qing Dynasty emperors stayed, and it is located on the outskirts of Beijing. It is quite beautiful and it has all the beautiful lakes, pavilions, and temples, which can be found in this park. One of the most illustrious features of the Summer Palace includes long corridors, walkways, and bridges. The view of the Kunming Lake and hills that is depicted in the painting makes it beautiful to have a quiet walk in this place. The Summer Palace is a calm retreat from the city’s world chaos and lets sightseers have an opportunity to get to know the entire pleasures and code that nature in Beijing is capable of.
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Exploring Iconic Landmarks
Being one of the cities with quite impressive historical sites, Beijing also boasts of modern wonders that run in line with its vibrant growth. It is one of the most interesting features of the city, the contrast between the ancient features of Beijing and the modern buildings.
The Bird’s Nest and Olympic Park
The Bird’s Nest is the center stage of the Beijing Olympic Games held in 2008, where the modern architecture surpasses all limits. The stadium was the project of Swiss architects Herzog & de Meuron, and its peculiar design is depicted as a bird nest, focusing its excitement on the complex net of the steel beams. The Bird’s Nest is a great architectural work and a sign of the fast modernization in Beijing. Other modern constructions found in the surrounding Olympic Park include the Water Cube, which was used in the 2008 Summer Olympics as the venue of swimming events.
CBD – Beijing’s Business Heart
The Central Business District (CBD) of Beijing is a major highlight of the modern development that occurs in the city. The CBD is the hub of the city since it is the financial centre with its tall buildings, expensive shopping complexes, and expensive hotels. Tourists are able to have a feel of the fast-paced economic development and urbanization of Beijing through visiting the region. It harbors some of the best restaurants, bars, and entertainment joints in the city, too, and hence the attraction to domestic and foreign visitors alike.
Wangfujing Street – A Shopper’s Paradise
The Wangfujing Street is also one of the most famous shopping centers in Beijing, and this is comprised of a mixture of Chinese common stuff and luxury products. In this case, visitors are given an opportunity to visit luxury overseas brands, attend city markets, or taste the street food. It is also characterised by numerous well-known departmental stores, e.g., Wangfujing Department Store, which only contains Chinese silks to the latest trends in designs. Wangfujing Street is a good location to make a shopping, to get a meal, and to feel the hustle of commerce in Beijing.
Beijing 798 Art Zone
It is one of the places visitors should not miss out on when interested in contemporary art. These arts, located in a former industrial complex, the house galleries, cafes, and studios of Chinese and international artists could be found. The district has formed a hub for the modern art of Beijing, and since then, artists, collectors, and travelers across the globe have flocked to see what the district has to offer. Being interested in art or just the desire to have some fun, visit the trendy artistic district, 798 Art Zone, is a great place you cannot even imagine.
Traditional Cuisine and Street Food
A visit to Beijing cannot be complete without trying their delicious food. Beijing is also famous because of the result of this diversity in food, as far as traditional Chinese flavours are applied and integrated with the influences of other regions. Whether it is fine dining or street food, Beijing will offer you everything.
Peking Duck
Regarded as the most famous Chinese food in Beijing, Peking Duck is worth its publicity. The light and crispy skin and juicy meat of the meal go hand in hand with thin pancakes, hoisin sauce, and cut-up vegetables to describe the meal. It is an art to roast the duck perfectly, and there are several restaurants that specialize in the same in Beijing. Da Dong and Quanjude are some of the most popular Peking Duck restaurants, which need to be included in the list of unforgettable culinary impressions.
Hot Pot
Hot Pot is another delicacy of Beijing, and it is more prominent during winter. It is a communal dish, and this dish is cooked in a hot pot of tasty soup, and hundreds of different things are thrown in: meat, vegetables, and noodles. The restaurant patrons immerse their contents in the hot soup and make it ready as they desire. Hot Pot is an excellent and social food; other than that, it is too delicious.
Street Food
The food of the streets is colorful and rich in Beijing. Whether you want something salty or something sweet, there are food carts all over the city streets with all kinds of delicacies. A few of the street foods to be tried are: jianbing (Chinese crepes), baozi (steamed buns with meat or vegetables), and lamb skewers. Business in these dishes is placed in markets and also in food streets like the Wangfujing, where tourists are allowed to taste the flavor of the street foods of Beijing city.
Cultural Etiquette
Travelling to Beijing, the visitor is supposed to learn the local public norms and customs. Cultures in the city are open to tourists, but they need to be aware of the cultural variations that may embarrass them, and enjoy the city.
Greetings and Social Etiquette
Beijing people tend to be formal, and people would love to be addressed by their titles or last names. The most popular greeting is shaking hands; it is, however, important to shake hands without putting too firm a hand, a hand should be firm yet not too firm. A small bow of the head also shows respect when a person is meeting another person for the first time.
Tipping Culture
In Beijing tipping is not expected, where it is frequently included in the bill at restaurants and hotels. But in more classy restaurants or in International hotels, a tip not of a lot of money but of a small amount is often welcomed but is not compulsory. It is also not a tradition to tip taxi drivers, however, rounding off the amount that they pay is a thoughtful thing to do.
Dress Code
It spans a great range of temperature and thus, it is needed to dress according. Summers, mid and hot, thus it is advisable to wear lies. In winters however, it can get so cold and sometimes, es freezing has so dress warmly during this period. Also, when sitting to visit any other religious places, it is good to dress up modestly in a way that shows an appreciation of the temple.
Best Time to Visit The City
The recommended time of visiting this city is up to your wishes and taste, but the most feasible times will be spring (March-May) and October (September-November). In these months, the climate is favourable, being sunny and warm weather at a moderate level. Spring is the best time to visit the city as the parks and the gardens are beautiful, and fall is just a wonderful season to visit with beautiful leaves and comfortable touring weather.
In order to feel the ecstatic atmosphere in Beijing, you may go there during the Chinese New Year (in most cases, it goes in January or February), or during the Mid-Autumn Festival (in September or October). They are celebrated massively with immense processions, cultural events, and feasts.
Conclusion
This is a highly contrasted city with the old traditions and innovations that coexist with one another. Beijing offers a traveller the experience of a lifetime, with the most magnificent old architectural sites and modern skyscrapers, with great views. The city, having abundant cultural heritage, mixed cuisine, and an ambiance of diversity, is among the list of those that want to know the past, present, and future of China.
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FAQs
Is Beijing safe to travel to?
Beijing is a fairly safe city to tour as there are low rates of crime and the police. As is the case with every big city, it is always better to keep yourself alert of your surroundings and fully aware of the neighborhood you are in, whether it is night or not, avoid dark and depressing places, and always use common sense with your possessions.
What is the duration of stay in Beijing?
A 3-4-day trip would be sufficient to learn more about the major attractions of the city and immerse oneself in its culture. Here you can go to such historical places as the Forbidden City, the Great Wall, the Temple of Heaven, and drive through the modern territory, the Cang the h98 Art Zone.
Will I be able to navigate in Beijing with the aid of public transport?
The city of Beijing also enjoys a wide and convenient transportation network with a highly advanced metro structure, which links the principal tourist sites. Taxis are also easily available, and buses are not expensive. The metro of the city is particularly convenient to foreigners, and is signed in both English and Chinese.
