Are you visiting China? When travelling into the Asian country, there are cities everyone wants to see; very few make it to the list of places people need to see. Beijing is one of those places that belongs on your “must-see” list. It is famous for its National Stadium, commonly referred to as “the bird’s nest of Beijing”. The stadium was initially designed for the 2008 Olympics but is now gearing to host the Winter Olympics come 2022.
Here are some more reasons to visit Beijing when visiting China.
1. The Hutongs
The Hutongs are an integral part of Beijing’s Ancient Culture. They are communities with small streets, alleys and lanes. The name was derived from the word “Hu”, meaning sand or dust, which is derived from its history when Chinese people used sandstone blocks to measure weight in trade transactions. Nowadays, you will find many restaurants in these Hutongs, some very popular like Quanjude.
2. The Forbidden City
This old palace is just simply one of the best places to visit in Beijing. It covered an area of 720,000 square meters and was the Chinese imperial palace from 1420 AD to 1912 AD. Since 1987, it has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Forbidden City contains many palaces like the Hall of Supreme Harmony, the Palace of Heavenly Purity etc. Beijing citizens used to be only allowed inside the Forbidden City during the Qing dynasty. It is a beautiful place to visit with friends and family.
3. The Great Wall of China
Another place you should visit when in Beijing is the Great Wall of China. The wall starts from Hushan in Liaoning Province to Jinshanling, Hebei Province, covering 8,852.8 kilometers. It was built between the 7th century BC and 16th century AD, with most sections dating back to Ming Dynasty (1368AC – 1644 AC). The wall is not visible from space like people think. It was made by piling up dirt and stones to form a raised barrier, which is 14-23 feet high in some places.
4. Tiananmen Square
Tiananmen Square is the largest city square in the world. It was built between 1417 and 1420 during Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). In modern times, it has been a site for many political rallies. On the northern end of the square, the Tiananmen Gate is where Chairman Mao declared the People’s Republic of China on October 1, 1949. The square is surrounded by grand buildings like the Great Hall of the People and the National Museum of China that you’ll have fun visiting.
5. Enjoy the Amazing Nightlife
Beijing is said to pack a fantastic vibrant nightlife scene with clubs, bars and restaurants. Many of these places are located in the Sanlitun area like The Village, Q-Bar and Cava. This area has earned its reputation as the city’s “party district” since it was established earlier in its history. It also has many other attractions like Gongti, an old-style nightlife area with many bars and clubs.
6. Enjoy Authentic Chinese Food
There are many different styles of Chinese cuisine, but Beijing is the home to some authentic dishes like Peking Roast Duck, Mapo Tofu and Rou Jia Mo (stuffed pockets of meat or vegetables). The food in Beijing is delicious, ranging from Sichuan cuisine, which is famous for its hot spicy flavors, to Shanxi noodles. It’s a great time to enjoy some Chinese cuisines with your family.
7. Enjoy Chinese Tea
While in Beijing, try some of the Chinese teas like Longjing (Dragon Well), Luhong (Red Osmanthus Flowers), Xihu Longjing (West Lake Dragon Well) and Zhenghe Gongfu (Strong tea of Zhenghe). The tea culture in China is very diverse. Tea leaves are picked up from all over the country and produced into a diverse range of flavors that could excite you.
Beijing is a great place to visit for many different reasons. One of the best things about it, however, might be its transport system. With so many options to choose from and an easy-to-navigate layout, navigating this city has never been easier or more convenient than before. You can even move around using a bike!
