Beijing

Information, photos, and much more about Beijing and its tourist attractions

Beijing has many identities: the capital of China and center of its political life, a microcosm of the infinite depth and variety of Chinese culture, a repository of many centuries of history, a dynamic modern city.

BASIC FACTS

Chinese Name: 北京 (pinyin: Běijīng)
Population (2010): 19,612,368
Province: none (independent municipality)
Weather: hot, humid summers; cold, windy, dry winters

BEIJING TOURIST ATTRACTIONS

Forbidden City

紫禁城 (Zǐjìnchéng) or 故宫 (Gùgōng)

“The Forbidden City” is a literal translation of the traditional term 紫禁城 (Zǐjìnchéng), but it is most commonly referred to in China by its contemporary name, 故宫 (Gùgōng).

Forbidden City Meridian Gate

The Meridian Gate at the Forbidden City’s south entrance, facing Tiananmen Square

Forbidden City Hall of Supreme Harmony

The Hall of Supreme Harmony in Beijing’s Forbidden City

Forbidden City dragon jar

A jar decorated with a dragon and clouds at the Forbidden City’s Gallery of Ceramics in Beijing

Forbidden City Imperial Garden

A view of the Imperial Garden in Beijing’s Forbidden City

Great Wall of China

万里长城 (Wànlǐ Chángchéng)

Many popular and picturesque sections of the Great Wall are located near Beijing, including Mutianyu (慕田峪, Mùtiányù), Simatai (司马台, Sīmǎtái), and Badaling (八达岭, Bādálǐng).

Great Wall of China at Mutianyu

Blue sky and clouds above the Mutianyu Great Wall near Beijing

Great Wall of China at Mutianyu

Watchtowers at the Mutianyu Great Wall near Beijing

Mutianyu Great Wall watchtower interior

Interior of a watchtower at the Mutianyu Great Wall near Beijing

Great Wall of China at Simatai

View downward along the wall at the Simatai Great Wall near Beijing

Great Wall of China at Simatai

View along the wall at the Simatai Great Wall near Beijing

Simatai Great Wall watchtower window

View through a watchtower window at the Simatai Great Wall near Beijing

Simatai Great Wall watchtower ceiling

Brickwork in a circular watchtower ceiling at the Simatai Great Wall near Beijing

Simatai Great Wall reservoir

A reservoir at the Simatai Great Wall near Beijing

Lama Temple

雍和宫 (Yōnghégōng)

A Tibetan Buddhist temple featuring beautifully detailed architecture and Buddhist artworks, Yonghe Temple (popularly referred to in English as “Lama Temple”) was built in the Qing Dynasty and originally served as the residence of Prince Yong.

Lama Temple worshippers burning incense

Buddhist worshippers burn incense at the Lama Temple

Lama Temple guardian lion

A guardian lion statue at the Lama Temple

Lama Temple pavilion

A beautifully decorated pavilion and trees at the Lama Temple

Lama Temple pagoda and bell

A pagoda, an ancient bell, and trees at the Lama Temple

Lama Temple ancient bell

An ancient bell at the Lama Temple (Yonghegong) in Beijing

Lama Temple Pavilion of Ten Thousand Happinesses

The Pavilion of Ten Thousand Happinesses at the Lama Temple (Yonghegong) in Beijing

Summer Palace

颐和园 (Yíhéyuán)

Outside downtown Beijing on the northwest side of the city, the Summer Palace is a vast park area featuring a lake, a large hill, museums, and imperial architecture.