A trip to China is a great opportunity to get acquainted with the traditions of the East and see exotic architectural monuments. Beijing has many unique places, ancient temples, luxurious palaces, museums with rare exhibits and relics. The sights of Beijing most fully reveal Asian culture in all its diversity. If you came here and don’t know what to see in Beijing, then we have prepared this review of interesting places in the Chinese capital especially for you.

What to see first in Beijing

In this city of contrasts, you can see ancient temples standing next to modern office centers, and Chinese people still walking along the streets in traditional attire. They can be different: for the whole day or for a couple of hours, overview and thematic, etc. – just choose the option that suits you.

1. Forbidden City

Forbidden City in Beijing

A beautiful legend tells about the construction of the Forbidden City, according to which there are 9999 and a half rooms in the world's largest palace complex (in reality 8707). The Forbidden City crowns the attractions of Beijing, as it is a religious building. Popular places in the palace complex:

• Garden of Kindness and Tranquility, Imperial Garden.
• Five beautiful gates and several Halls of Harmony.
• There are watchtowers along the perimeter of the complex.
• Palaces of Kunninggong, Jiao Taidian, Qianqinggong, Ningshougong.
• Yangxindian Pavilion – Heart Nurturing Hall.

Currently, the Gugun Museum has been created on the territory of the Forbidden City, which, according to the first inventory, housed more than a million unique exhibits. It is impossible to see all the sights of Beijing in the Forbidden City in one visit. The complex has many interesting places and museum exhibitions that reveal the cultural traditions and history of the Chinese people.

2. the great Wall of China

the great Wall of China

The most visited section of the Great Wall of China, Badaling, is located 80 km northwest of Beijing. It was erected during the reign of the Ming dynasty, and under the rulers of the Qing dynasty it served as the gateway to the capital of China. Even closer to Beijing (50 km) is another section of the Chinese Wall - Juyunguan. Tourists can expect natural attractions in Beijing:

• Yuntai cloud platform made of white marble.
• Two-story signal towers are sentinels.
• Mesmerizing view of the mountains and the wall.
• Opportunity to ride the funicular.
• Unique areas of Gubeikou and Symatai.

The Great Wall of China, whose total length exceeds 8,000 km, consists of individual sections that were completed during different reigns. Each section is unique in its own way, there are steep ascents and unexpected descents, so the view that opens to the eye is constantly changing. When looking around, you can’t pass by this place!

3. Beihai Park

Beihai Park in Beijing

Before the Forbidden City, the rulers of the Liao dynasty built a luxurious palace near Lake Taiye Hu. Later, the emperors of the Qing and Yuan dynasties also contributed to architecture. They erected an artificial artificial island, palaces and pavilions. What to see in Beijing in the North Sea Park:

• Gardens with artificial hills.
• Jade Flower Island on the lake.
• The Round City with the Hall of the Found Light.
• Buddha statue made of white jade.
• A one-piece bowl with dragons, weighing 3.5 tons.
• Ancient tree (800 years old) – Marquis of Shadow.

You should definitely visit White Dagobah, located on Jade Flower Island. The pagoda is different from traditional buildings and is a masterpiece of Buddhist art. Beihai Park has the Pearl of Wisdom Hall, the Classics Reading Tower, the Long Corridor, the Haopujiang Garden, the Heart Peace Garden, and the Nine Dragon Setan. Beijing's attractions are varied and unique, and Beihai Park has many of them.

4. Tiananmen Square

Tiananmen Square in Beijing

The largest area in the world, located in Beijing, Tiananmen, occupies 400 thousand square meters. Solemn national parades are held here, because the square can simultaneously accommodate up to a million people. The Gate of Heavenly Peace conceals many interesting things. The national flag is raised here early in the morning and lowered in the evening.

On the western side is the House of the People, where the Chinese parliament meets. On the eastern side of Tiananmen is the National Museum of China.

Beijing's landmarks include the People's Heroes Monument (38 m high). Tourists must visit the Mausoleum of Mao Zedong, which occupies 20,000 sq.m. The Tiananmen area includes the Main Solar Gate, built in the 15th century. The unique Archer Tower is also located here. The grandiose square is the object of attention of tourists and travelers.

5. Beijing Zoo

Beijing Zoo

Just west of Beijing's Second Ring Road is China's largest zoo. It is home to exotic animals. Ponds, streams, flowers, green lawns and lush vegetation create fertile conditions for the inhabitants of a huge zoo to live here. What is worth seeing in Beijing on the territory of the natural garden are the Giant Panda Hall, Beijing Ocean Hall, Water Bird Lake, Monkey Hill and Giraffe Aviary, Bear Mountain and the African Zone, as well as the Oceanarium with menacing sharks.

The Beijing Zoo is home to lions, tigers, rhinoceroses, snakes, elephants, crocodiles and pythons. The total number is about 7000 individuals. It is noteworthy that the Beijing Zoo is the only natural habitat of giant pandas.

Check out the beautiful places in Beijing in this wonderful video!

6. Temple of Heaven

Temple of Heaven in Beijing

The grandiose religious building of China is the Temple of Heaven. What to visit in Beijing if not this amazing attraction? The shrine has existed for more than five hundred years. The beautiful color of the roof of the temple building, made of glazed tiles, attracts the attention of visitors. The territory of the Temple of Heaven is surrounded by walls in the shape of a circle and a square. The altar in the form of a three-stage terrace is decorated with white marble slabs.

The central slab of the Temple of Heaven amplifies the sound when saying a prayer. The construction is complemented by the Tower, the Music Office, and the Kitchen for the Celestials. In the Temple of Heaven, the number of finishing slabs is a multiple of nine, and this figure is symbolic for the Chinese people.

The iconic building reflects the skill and extraordinary talent of Chinese architects who implemented unique geometric patterns. The structure has been used for prayers and sacrifices for centuries.

7. Beijing National Stadium "Bird's Nest"

Beijing National Stadium "Bird's Nest" davidgordillo

Modern sights of Beijing are no less unique than ancient architectural monuments. These include the Bird's Nest National Stadium. The grandiose structure in the Olympic Village is an unusual structure made of intertwined metal rods.

The completion of the Naochao Stadium coincided with the 2008 Summer Olympics. The majestic building is made of iron and concrete. When the lights come on inside, the stadium appears in all its beauty. The Bird's Nest seats more than 90 thousand spectators. Famous Swiss architects Jacques Herzog and Pierre de Meuron took part in the design of the facility. It is noteworthy that no matter what row the viewer sits in, he receives a complete overview of the events taking place on the field. The monumental structure is located next to a huge swimming pool, and the stadium itself is used as the largest ski resort in Beijing.

8. Old Beijing Observatory

Old observatory in Beijing

What unusual things to visit in Beijing? An astronomical observatory, which was founded in times of absence of telescopic instruments and equipment. In the mid-15th century, during the Ming Dynasty, the first observatory instruments were created. The area of ​​the complex is 10 thousand square meters. From the site you can see ancient instruments - Celestial Globe, Altazimuth, Theodolite, Armilla.

Visitors to the observatory can view exhibits in the exhibition halls, which include unique star maps, ancient Chinese calendars, and astronomical instruments.

9. National Museum of China

National Museum of China in Beijing

Based on the number of tourists who visit the National Museum of China every year, this attraction is considered one of the most popular. Numerous exhibits tell the history of the Chinese people, talk about their traditions and customs. What to see in Beijing at the National Museum? The Jade Prince exhibit is of considerable interest to travelers and researchers. The burial was found in Hebei province in the 20th century. During archaeological excavations, the burials of Prince Zhongshan and his wife Dou Wan were discovered. It is noteworthy that they wore clothes woven from tiny pieces of jade fabric connected with gold thread.

Another popular exhibit of the National Museum is the Din ritual tripod, made of bronze. Its weight is 800 kg and its age is about 3000 years. The bronze collection includes a square wine vessel. The highlight of the museum is Chinese porcelain dishes. The exhibits belong to the national heritage of the country.

10. Temple of Confucius in Beijing

Temple of Confucius in Beijing

At the beginning of the 14th century, the Temple of Confucius was built in Beijing. After numerous restorations and improvements, many elements of the ancient building remained intact. The Temple of Confucius is included in the attractions of Beijing as the second largest temple building in China. Unique elements of the complex:

• Pavilion of Learning, surrounded by cypress trees.
• State Academy – Academy of the Wise.
• The extensive courtyard of the complex.
• Stone tablets with the names of Academy students.
• Decorated pavilions, drums, bells.

In former times in China it was considered prestigious to receive an education at the Imperial Academy. The emperor himself took exams for her students once every three years. Now the Pavilion of Scholarship houses an exhibition of artifacts and sculptures.

Sights of Beijing: what else to visit while in Beijing

It is impossible to see even a third of all tourist sites in the Chinese capital in one visit, but if you want to make the visit as informative as possible, we are at your service. By hiring a guide, you save your time and nerves, and you can choose the route at your own discretion, choosing from the suggested instructions the most interesting ones for you.

11. National Center for the Performing Arts - "Egg"

National Center for the Performing Arts - "Egg" in Beijing

An amazing building located near Tiananmen Square is the National Center for the Performing Arts. It is one of Beijing's landmarks and has the unusual shape of a giant egg. The structure is made entirely of glass and titanium and is located in an artificial lake. The center contrasts sharply with ancient architectural monuments and stands out effectively against the general background. The structure with a 212-meter dome contains opera, theater and concert halls, air corridors, a gallery, conference rooms, underwater and underground corridors, a library, a cafe, an exhibition hall and an underground parking lot. There is an artificial lake and green spaces around the building.

The overall fantastic impression is enhanced by the transparent glass plates on the surface of the “Egg”. The halls host performances, opera premieres, concerts, dance shows and ballet performances.

12. Beijing National Swimming Complex - “Water Cube”

National Swimming Complex - "Water Cube" in Beijing

Fans of explosive emotions who are looking for what to visit in Beijing can come to the swimming complex. The structure is made in the shape of a parallelepiped. Construction was timed to coincide with the Olympic Games, and now the Water Cube is used as a modern water park. Cube Features:

• The walls are in the form of transparent water bubbles.
• Amusement slides with grandiose descents.
• A river flowing around a water cube.
• Spa salons, cafes and restaurants on the territory of the cube.

The shape, lighting and design of the swimming complex create a unique picture, especially in the evening. This amazing structure is included in the attractions of Beijing.

13. Gongwangfu, Palace of Prince Gong

Prince Gong Mansion in Beijing

Not far from Lake Qianhai there is a beautiful palace - the residence of Prince Gong. The complex is divided into two parts - luxurious residential buildings and a huge flowering garden. In terms of scale, the Guna Palace is second only to the Imperial Palace. The park and palace ensemble includes a museum and a theater.

Few original items, relics and ancient exhibits have survived in Gongwangfu. To open the museum, antiques and objects were brought to the Palace. Currently, Gongwangfu is one of the attractions of Beijing due to its impressive size and unique architecture.

14. Xiangshan or park fragrant hills

Fragrant Hills Park in Beijing

The ancient Xiangshan Park was founded at the end of the 12th century and is located 10 km from the capital of China. If you look at it in the early morning, the park seems to be shrouded in a foggy haze. Exotic vegetation fills the entire territory of the park, and with the change of seasons it is filled with bright colors - crimson, yellow, red leaves of numerous trees. The highest point of Xiangshan is Incense Peak, which offers picturesque views of the surrounding area.

More than 280 thousand trees grow in the park area. Among them there are ancient plants whose age exceeds the century mark. Xiangshan Park is home to many Buddhist temples. The largest number of visitors to the park comes in the fall during the festival of red leaves falling from thousands of scumpia. You can pick up a unique souvenir - laminated red leaves. They are kept as a souvenir of visiting Xiangshan Park.

15. Capital Museum

Beijing Capital Museum Mark Lyon

In 1981, the Capital Museum of China was officially opened. The structure includes five upper tiers and one underground floor. The museum exhibits display rare and valuable relics. What to see in Beijing at the Capital Museum:

• Collections of ceramics and porcelain.
• Many Buddha statues.
• Elements of applied art.
• Vintage writing utensils.
• Jade and bamboo collections.
• Products made of stone, wood and bronze.

The exhibits presented in the Metropolitan Museum are valuable historical and cultural artifacts preserved from ancient times. They tell the history of China, show the construction of Beijing, its development during the reign of the imperial dynasties.

16. Hongluo Temple

Holy Land of Buddhism - Hongluo Temple in Beijing Richard Cove

The year of foundation of Hongluo Temple is 348, during the reign of the Jin Dynasty. The oldest building is famous not only for its age, but also for its magnificent landscapes. Next to the Hongluo Temple is the Pearl Spring. Thousands of mollusk shells turn the water red.

Previously, about three hundred monks lived on the territory of the Honglo Temple. Later a pedagogical school was opened here. In 2017, the revered spring holiday was brightly celebrated on the territory of the Temple.

17. P entertainment arc Valley of Happiness

Happy Valley Amusement Park in Beijing

The sights of Beijing include not only religious and historical buildings. There is an amusement park in the capital – the Valley of Happiness. This is a kind of analogue of Disneyland, where you can get a lot of impressions. Visitors to the park can ride a carousel, visit a shopping complex, and watch a movie in a cinema.

In the Valley of Happiness, tourists will find the zone of Ancient Greece, the Country of Ants, the Lost Mayan Civilization, and the zone of wild fjords. The park is designed in the best entertainment traditions. Here, breathtaking slides and carousels are organically combined with islands of wildlife.

Beijing is a grandiose metropolis with distinctive culture and traditions, oriental values ​​and an unusual history. China is a paradise for tourists, and the sights of Beijing amaze the imagination with their mystery and monumentality.

18. Tombs of the Ming Dynasty Emperors

Square pavilion at the entrance to the complex of 13 mausoleums of the Ming dynasty emperors HALUK COMERTEL

If the sights of Shanghai reflect the bustling life of a modern metropolis, then Beijing has a slightly different image - here the historical past is more revered. Ancient imperial palaces, ancient Buddhist temples and other centuries-old buildings that carefully preserve a piece of the past are proof of this. One of the unique structures in China is a complex of tombs located near Beijing, at the very foot of the Tianshoushan Mountain. In the valley of the tombs on an area of ​​40 square meters. km there are 13 luxurious mausoleums where the rulers of the Qing and Ming dynasties are buried. Of the existing tombs, only three were opened and examined by archaeologists; the rest were destined to remain unexplored - in 1989, lack of funding led to the cessation of research work. Today, the mausoleums of Emperors Zhaoling, Changling and Dingling are accessible to visitors.

19. Summer Palace (Yiheyuan)

Imperial Summer Palace of the Qing Dynasty on the outskirts of Beijing

12 km northwest of Beijing is Yiheyuan, or the Garden of Serene Joy - this is the name of the Beijing attraction in Russian. We are talking about the largest preserved imperial park in Beijing, which is located at the foot of the mountain, surrounded by lush greenery, next to a quiet, peaceful lake - such an atmosphere of the park very accurately reflects its name. Dozens of large and small buildings buried in vegetation, openwork bridges, neat pagodas and the calming surface of the lake create a beautiful sight, once created by Chinese masters. And of course, the pearl of all this splendor is the summer palace, once intended for the recreation of high-ranking persons of the Qing dynasty. Throughout the decoration of the complex, the theme of immortality and longevity is used everywhere - it can be seen in symbolism, ornaments and numerous decorative details.

20. Changlan Gallery

Sections of the Changlan Wooden Gallery depicting battle scenes and landscapes at the Kallgan Summer Palace

A stunningly beautiful place is the summer imperial palace surrounded by a grandiose park, on the territory of which there are about 3 thousand different structures - Chinese World Heritage Sites. One of the most significant and large-scale structures is the Changlan Gallery of the mid-18th century - a covered passage 0.73 kilometers long, connecting the most important objects of the Summer Palace. The structure consists entirely of colored wood with carved elements and is divided into almost 300 sections by crossbars. The gallery connects many elements of the complex and is itself an observation deck with an excellent overview. Walking through the gallery, you can come across several hundred different images of cranes, which are a symbol of longevity in China, as well as picturesque hand-drawn scenes of mythological and historical scenes - there are more than 14 thousand of them in total!

21. Gate of Heavenly Peace

The Gate of Heavenly Peace is built along the northern side of Tiananmen Square in Beijing 张瑜

Some interesting places in Beijing are so famous and large-scale that you won’t have to look for them for a long time - for example, in the very center of the city there is the largest square in the world, capable of accommodating up to a million people at a time. This is Tiananmen, or the Gate of Heavenly Peace - such a romantic name was given to the square by the southern gate of the Imperial Palace. This is a true symbol of the Celestial Empire, one of the most recognizable places, which is an ancient complex with 5 passages, stands and a large portrait of Mao Zedong - it was he who proclaimed the creation of the People's Republic on this square in 1949. Near the Gate there are two figures of stone lions, as well as 5-century-old columns topped with guards - mythical creatures at the top. The entire design and decoration of Tiananmen is completely permeated with philosophical and religious principles built around the concepts of wisdom and justice of the emperor.

22. Mausoleum of Mao Zedong

Mausoleum of Mao Zedong in the central part of Tiananmen Square in Beijing Georgio

One of the key buildings in Tiananmen Square is the Mausoleum of Mao Zedong, which became the final resting place of the creator of the modern Chinese state. Now the embalmed remains of the legendary political leader are kept in a crystal coffin, preserving the memory for future generations. It is worth noting that Mao Zedong himself ordered that his body be cremated after his death, but the party, not taking this wish into account, ordered the construction of a tomb, which was completed only a year after Mao’s death. The only decoration of the complex is a red roof in the style of a Chinese pagoda; its main hall is the Memorial Hall, in the center of which stands a crystal coffin with a body covered with a large flag of the Communist Party of China. There is also a 3.5-meter marble sculpture depicting Mao Zedong. The second floor of the mausoleum is a memorial hall with marble statues of other prominent Chinese political figures.

23. Shishiku Cathedral

Red pavilions and stone lions at the entrance to Xishiku Cathedral in Xicheng District in Beijing

Where to go , to see important city shrines? One of the most interesting religious sites in Beijing is the Shishiku Cathedral, which looks completely uncharacteristic for the Japanese capital. Its Gothic architecture gives the impression that the building was transported here straight from medieval Europe. Previously, Christians were not particularly favored here - until the Jesuits managed to heal one of the emperors of the Qing dynasty from a serious illness. Having recovered, the ruler, as a token of gratitude, allocated a plot of land to the Jesuits, on which the cathedral was built. The exterior of Shishiku is a unique blend of European and Chinese architectural traditions, making it one of the most unusual Catholic churches in the world. Services are held here in Chinese, and every Sunday the temple is visited by numerous Christians in Beijing.

24. Yonghegong Temple

Sculpture at the Yonghegong Lamaist Temple in northeastern Beijing
Buildings of the “Palace of Peace and Harmony, Lama Temple” in Beijing

In the northern part of the so-called “Imperial City” is located one of the largest monasteries of Tibetan Buddhism in Beijing - Yonghegong Temple. Its history dates back to the late 17th century, when the country was ruled by Emperor Yong Qingwan - his main motto was “harmony and justice,” which is why the palace acquired the name Yonghegong, which means “Palace of Harmony.” Being a court temple, Yonghegong has always had a special status; ceremonies to commemorate the dead were held here annually by the emperors themselves. A long gallery stretches from the temple in the northern direction - the “imperial road” with successively located Zhaotaimen and Yonghemen gates, behind which the territory of the monastery itself begins with isolated sections and pavilions. The main attraction of the monastery complex is the large Wanfuge structure, with an 18-meter statue of the Buddha of the future stored here.

25. Chaoyang Theater

Popular acrobatic show by Chaoyang Theater artists in Beijing

Chinese acrobatic art is famous throughout the world - its original performances attract sold-out crowds all over the world. In Beijing, this art form is presented at the Chaoyang Theater, located near the China Central Television Tower. It was founded in 1984, and thanks to its spectacular acrobatic shows, within a couple of years it became one of the main and most visited attractions in the capital. The level of training of theater artists is truly virtuoso, and this is not difficult to explain, given that acrobatics has been an important part of Chinese culture for about 2 millennia. It all started back in the Tang Dynasty, when acrobats gave performances right on the streets, using plates, cups, chairs, tables, rings as attributes - all this is used in acrobatic acts today. Today, performances in Chaoyang are held twice a day in the evening.

26. Red Theater

Entrance to the Red Theater in the historical district of Beijing Melinda van den Brink
Photos with monk actors - heroes of the play at the Red Theater in Beijing Andy Miah

One of the exciting evening performances in Beijing can be seen at the Red Theater located in the Chongwen Historical District. Everything here is surprising, from the complex acrobatic performances to the design of the building itself, which is decorated with a complex metal structure in the form of a red lattice. And, perhaps, the most surprising thing is the fact that not professional stunt performers take part in the performances, but real monks of the famous Shaolin Monastery! Along with the game itself, the performances use a number of acrobatic tricks and martial arts elements. It is especially impressive that even the most difficult numbers are performed without any safety equipment. Performances are held in Chinese, but there is parallel accompaniment in English. Foreign guests can also purchase a program where the legend is translated into different world languages.

27. Art Zone 798 (798 Art Zone)

Art Zone 798 (798 Art Zone) on the territory of a half-abandoned factory in Beijing Nikolaj Potanin
Old Maoist slogans on the walls of Art Zone 798 in Beijing Leeluv

It is impossible to describe the sights of China without mentioning the Chaoyang district, which is famous throughout the world as the center of the creative industry. All its structures represent buildings of former factories, among which the exhibition complex under the mysterious name “798” especially stands out. This number was inherited from the factory that operated within these walls starting in the 1950s. In the 1980s, changes in the structure of the Chinese economy led to the gradual abandonment of industrial areas. Since the 2000s, the area began to be developed by artists, and empty premises gradually turned into workshops, galleries and art centers. Art Zone 798 occupies an area of ​​1 sq. km, which can be walked around in a matter of minutes, but even a day is not enough to explore the art objects. There are antique shops, designer boutiques, and shops with vintage jewelry and accessories on site.

28. Nanluogu hutong

Ancient shopping street in Beijing Anagoria
Chinese medieval buildings at Nanluogu Hutong in Beijing Fabio Achilli

In ancient China, groups of houses were built opposite each other, forming a narrow alley. Streets of this type were called hutongs, but only in Beijing. They were considered the smallest unit of the territorial division of the city. The local population has lived in hutongs since ancient times, and it is here, like nowhere else, that the spirit of old China has been preserved. One of the surviving quarters of this type is Nanluogu Hutong - a shopping street that was formed here 8 centuries ago. Today it is filled to capacity with inexpensive eateries, souvenir shops and teeming with tourists who curiously explore all this diversity. But Nanluogu has not lost its atmosphere, and in addition to shop windows, here you can see a real picture of the life of the local residents who have inhabited the hutong for many centuries in a row. Housing here is quite cramped, but economical, and the inhabitants, according to the ancient tradition, spend most of their lives on the street.

29. Wangfujing Street

Wangfujing shopping street in the Eastern City of Beijing Nggsc

There are places in Beijing that are best visited at certain times of the year. If you are looking for something to see in Beijing in winter, then be sure to check out Wangfujing - a famous and large shopping street, especially lively in winter around the New Year period, when it is luxuriously decorated and shop windows light up with magical winter lights, creating a festive mood. There is something to admire and something to buy here - with a relatively short length of 0.8 km, Wangfujing has more than two hundred shops where you can buy local food, books, cosmetics, souvenirs, jewelry, household appliances, fashionable clothes - you name it. There is a mobile outpatient clinic in the center of the street - you can check your health right inside a special bus. The highlight of the shopping district is the Donghuamen market, where you can buy the most exotic food.

30. Skyscrapers Wangjing SOHO

Wangjing SOHO skyscrapers in Wangjing Bangabandhu

The modern sights of Beijing surprise and amaze with their scale , including the Wangjing SOHO skyscrapers built in 2014. The ultra-modern high-tech business center was designed to satisfy the need for office space that arose several years ago - it more than coped with this task, providing the business population with almost 400 thousand square meters of office space. The three skyscrapers have an unusual shape and resemble either huge boulders, or smooth rocks, or giant fish. The towers, ranging in height from 118 to 200 meters, have a characteristic curved shape and facades with a layered structure, which provides them with excellent ventilation and protection from the sun. A unified microclimate system smoothly changes the angle of inclination of the aluminum panels, acting on the basis of readings from thousands of special sensors and creating the optimal level of air conditioning, heating, lighting, and water supply.

31. CCTV Headquarters

China Central Television headquarters building in Beijing Morio

The metropolitan metropolis has a countless number of skyscrapers, among which there are real masterpieces of architecture. But even against their background, the CCTV headquarters building, which houses China Central Television, is distinguished by its originality. The author of the project was the Dutch architect Koolhaas, who created a unique 234-meter structure of two inclined towers connected at the top and bottom by corner passages. The gigantic structure, forming a kind of loop, seems to hover over the city. In addition to its creative shape, the Headquarters building stands out for its bright futuristic facade made of glass, as if covered with a metal mesh. Overcoming a specially laid route , Anyone can walk through the entire television center and see with their own eyes how the whole cycle of creating television programs is carried out within these walls, from filming and editing to broadcasting.

32. Peace Park

Attractions from all over the world at Peace Park in Beijing Techyan

Visiting the Peace Park in Beijing is like visiting different parts of the world with the most significant and famous sights, while spending no more than a couple of hours on such a “trip”. Here, on an area of ​​42 hectares, there are miniature copies of world architectural masterpieces, most of which are made on a scale of 1:10. Each creation is carefully crafted with amazing detail, so that the copy is almost indistinguishable from the original. The park also contains reproductions of famous sculptures, natural attractions, and copies of world-famous attractions - for example, here you can even ride a smaller roller coaster. In addition to an exciting walk, you can have fun and have a wonderful rest in the park - stroll among beautiful fountains and picturesque castles, take a boat or catamaran ride in a local pond.

颐园新居

There is a separate category of interesting objects - unknown sights of Beijing , which are not as popular among tourism as the key monuments and symbols of the Celestial Empire. Yuanmingyuan Park can be called one of the most beautiful places in Beijing, but the ruined state of the once luxurious buildings has led this place to partial oblivion. During the Qing Dynasty, the Old Summer Palace of Yuanmingyuan served as the home of the royal family, where the heirs to the throne spent time. The Old Summer Palace was once a thriving architectural complex that could have become a national treasure, but as a result of international conflict, which resulted in an attack and subsequent arson, the complex was not preserved in its original integrity. Some of the buildings have been destroyed, the paths are overgrown, the ponds have dried up, and the complex is currently being reconstructed, which has so far affected only a few parts of it.

Beijing Botanical Garden with the Xishan Mountains in the background in Beijing

Summer in the Chinese capital is characterized by intense heat and humidity - this is not the best time to go to Beijing. What to see in the summer so as not to get into the midst of the summer heat? Outside the city, the heat is much easier to bear - especially if there is a body of water nearby. The Beijing Botanical Garden, which is located at the foot of the Xiangshan Mountains, amazes with plant abundance. A river with rapids flows through the park, giving life-giving coolness in the summer. Its banks are laid with gray stone, and cascades and rapids are laid out of it, from which the water splashes down and soothes with its murmur. Vegetation is rampant along the banks - hundreds of thousands of bushes, flowers and trees amaze with their diversity. From afar you can see the domes of a tropical greenhouse, inside which hundreds of species of orchids are carefully grown. The bonsai garden, featuring miniature dwarf trees, is also noteworthy.

35. Lake Houhai

View from the stone bridge over Houhai Lake in central Beijing

To the northwest and west of the Imperial Palace there are six artificial lakes, founded in the 13th and 14th centuries during the reign of the Yuan dynasty. They have a traditional structure and are divided into 3 Front and 2 Back lakes. And while in the Front there is an atmosphere of political correctness, in the Back People are having fun, relaxing in the countless bars, eateries located there, and going on boats and catamarans. One of the Back Lakes is Lake Houhai, which has become an adornment of the palace and the city as a whole. This is one of the attractive places where tourists flock to learn the history and culture of the development of the local population. The shores of the lake captivate with their charm and serenity; the labyrinths of Beijing streets - hutongs - allow you to feel the spirit of ancient times. In addition to walking and contemplation, here you can visit one of the restaurants, night bars, clubs or souvenir shops.

Hainan Island is the southern island of China and is definitely worth a visit. Read about it and get inspired for your further journey around the Celestial Empire.

The delightful nature of China makes millions of tourists visit this wonderful country every year. And not in vain, because here you can really see such landscapes, after which you will miss the “celestial” kingdom for a long time. Here's a short description of some of China's natural attractions.

Zhangjiajie (National Forest Park)

The park, located in Zhangjiajie, is known throughout the world. It is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The park consists of more than three thousand mountain peaks, and the highest point is 1890 meters above sea level. This place has inspired many great people with its beauty. Such famous films as “Avatar” and “Monster Hunt” were filmed here. There is also the highest external elevator in the world, it rises to a height of 360 meters, and you can wait more than three hours to get into it.

Tiger Leaping Gorge

Another place of unusual China. Tiger Leaping Gorge is a large canyon in the mountains on the Yangtze River. Here you can fully feel the power of the water element. The name of the gorge is associated with an ancient legend. It tells about a tiger who, fleeing from hunters, jumped over a gorge. The distance between the banks at the narrowest point is 30 meters. Due to the great depth and numerous cascades, a huge number of rafting enthusiasts come here every year. In this place you can see the true power and scale of nature.

Black Dragon Pond

The pond is located near the Chinese province of Kunming. Its name is also associated with an ancient legend, which says that the Black Dragon lived in this place. In the beautiful Chinese park surrounding the pond, there is a huge number of different buildings and structures. The most famous of them are the Longquan Temple (“Dragon Spring”) and the Black Dragon Palace. Longquan even has its own robot monk. (Read more). This is such an unusual China.

Zhangye Danxia Geopark

This national geopark has become famous throughout the world for its colorful and variegated rocks. Like most similar places in China, it is also listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The place is considered one of the most beautiful and unusual in all of China, according to one reputable publishing house. And for good reason, because such a geological miracle does not occur often. Today it is one of the most popular tourist destinations in all of China.

Reed Flute Cave

On the slope of a mountain, which is located in the city of Guilin, there is a unique place of its kind. An amazingly beautiful cave with stalagmites and stalactites. The cave is divided into halls. One of them has a beautiful underground lake. The entire cave is decorated with lighting, which makes it even more fabulous and mystical. If you somehow get there, this place will definitely leave an imprint on your heart for life.

There are still a huge number of interesting and unusual places in China, also read about some of them in.

Chinese parks are one of the most wonderful and wonderful wonders of the Celestial Empire. Places of strength and tranquility. Fancy paths paved with tiles meander, willows bend along the shores of lakes covered with silt and duckweed, in which lotuses bloom and bright goldfish swim - pictures from Chinese painting, which you have previously seen only in albums. There are carved bridges and stone lions across the connecting lakes and rivers, and shady cozy gazebos on the hills..

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However, a Chinese park is nothing without its inhabitants. – amazing and one of a kind. Life is in full swing, but very harmoniously: they fly kites in the gazebos, they play shuttlecock on the lawns, they do various practices on the lawns among the trees, in the evening they dance tango or dance with swords and fans.

So, Beijing parks. All points can be found in marked

The map shows that there are a lot of green areas in the city, and all of them are actually quite pleasant, but some are especially special; we’ll tell you about them.

BEIHAI PARK

Beihai Imperial Park 北海, which has been closed to outsiders for over a thousand years. With a huge picturesque lake and a white stupa, also called “dagoba”, built in honor of one of the Tibetan lamas, many pavilions, temples and paths, and even the former capital of the Mongol emperor Kublai. More details about this park are written in the old town.

• How to get there: by taxi, showing the characters 北海公园, or on the 6th metro line to the stop of the same name.
• Also on any bus whose list of stops includes the characters 北海, 北海公园 or 北海北门”Beihai beimen.”
• Issue price: 10-20 元, depending on the season.

AT THE WALLS OF THE FORBIDDEN CITY

Magical place. It is quite central, but at the same time little known among tourists. This is an internal alley running between the walls and the moat around the former imperial palace “Gugong”, the so-called “Forbidden City”. Entrance is free and it is especially good to walk or bike here on warm, quiet evenings. I can’t even believe that you can be alone with the ancient heart of a twenty million metropolis like this.

• How to get there: You can enter from the west or east, where there are crossings across the canal, see here.
• Issue price: free

“COAL HILL” JINGSHAN PARK

Jingshan Park 景山, on the hill of which, from the highest pavilion, a beautiful view of the Forbidden City “Gugun” opens in one direction, and on the other - Beihai Park and the white stupa.

• How to get there: by taxi to 金山公园, by metro
• Price issue: entrance costs 5-10 元 depending on the season, you can enter from the western entrance, opposite Beihai. or from the east, towards the Museum of Art. For better orientation, see the same map and daily route through the old center.

团结湖

“CONNECTING LAKES PARK” TUAJIEHU

A cozy and picturesque city park, but absolutely not touristy. It is located just south of the metro station of the same name. During the day, they ride boats on the connected lakes, play cards in the gazebos, sing, and stretch on exercise machines. In the evening they dance traditional dances with fans, disco and tango, men clap iron chain whips in the dark - another sport. If you want to feel the atmosphere, you can take a drawing or a book with you, or brew tea in the gazebo.

• How to get there: on the 10th metro line, to Tuanjiehu 团结湖 station, southeast exit C, left and left, left of the pedestrian bridge - left. Tuanjiehu.
• Price: free, closes at half past nine in the evening

“TEMPLE OF THE SUN” PARK ZITAN/RITAN

One of four parks with altars for sacrifices (in the past, of course): Tiantan Sky Temple, Ditan Earth Temple, Ritan Sun Temple and Yuetan Moon Temple. The Temple of Heaven is the most famous of all, Ditan is not at all interesting, and to be honest, we have never been to the latter. Ritan is the most comfortable of all.

By the way, for those who are interested, in the warm season there is a climbing wall in the park, slippers and harnesses can be taken on the spot, Chinese workers provide insurance, some of them speak English.

• How to get there: by taxi, or on the sixth metro line to the Dongdaqiao 东大桥 stop, 500 meters down Dondaqiao road and right to Ritan bei lu the same amount. The entrance to the park is the gate on the left side of the street.
• Price: admission is free, closes at the beginning of nine.

龙潭公园

LONGTANG PARK

A huge park in the southeast corner of the second ring. In addition to lakes, gazebos and other beauty, not far from the eastern gate, to the left of the path, there is a small teahouse where you can order tea (bargaining is appropriate) and sit wonderfully overlooking the lake.

• How to get there: we went there by bicycle, but you can take a taxi or bus. There is no metro nearby.
• Issue price: some conditional 5-10 元

国子监

Park behind the Temple of Confucius and the Imperial Academy

Friends who lived near this place told us that if you go through the main entrance into the front courtyard of the Temple of Comfucius, and then turn left, you will find yourself in a small adjacent garden of the Guozijian Imperial Academy. Unlike the Temple of Confucius, there are almost no tourists there; in the middle of the courtyard there are centuries-old pine trees and turtles with stone steles on their backs. It turned out to be a very soulful metro.

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• How to get there: 2nd metro line, stop Lama Temple 雍和宫 exit D, about five minutes turn right along Yonghegong street and right again to Guozijian street.
• Price: entrance to the Temple of Confucius = 30元

These are our favorites. Naturally, in addition to those listed, there are a lot of parks in Beijing, here are some of them:

– Park at the Yiheyuan Summer Palace 颐和园, end of the 4th line
– Yuanmingyuan Lake Park 圆明园, two stops to the Summer Palace
– Botanical Garden, further out of town
– Fragrant Hills 香山 in the same area
– Tiantan Park 天坛公园 at the Temple of Heaven, south of the 5th metro line
– Chaoyang Park Chaoyang 潮阳公园, new 14th metro line

Historical monuments

The great Wall of China- the only human creation that can be clearly seen from the moon - a symbol of the Chinese nation. Its construction began in 210 BC. and continued until the end of the Ming Dynasty (17th century). The length of the Great Wall of China is more than 6000 km. According to legend, this is exactly how much the mythical winged horse of the first Chinese emperor Qin Shi Huang galloped in one day. Watchtowers appeared where the hooves touched the ground. In fact, the distance between the towers is strictly measured - two flights of arrows, so that any section of the wall can be shot through by the defenders. Badaling. Most foreign tourists visit this section of the wall, 70 km from Beijing. The height of the wall here is 8 m, the width at the top is 6 m. The wall stretches for several hundred meters, after which unrestored sections begin. For convenience, there is a funicular, the ticket for which is paid separately. You can get there by express train to the Qinlongqiao stop or by tourist buses from the southern side of Tiananmen Square at 7-30 - 8.00, from the car park in front of Beijing Station (west side), from the car park at the Workers' Stadium, next to the Beijin Asia Hotel. Mutianyu. 90 km from Beijing. A restored section of the wall, accessible by minibus from Qiaoyuan Hotel, some tour buses from Tiananmen Square, Main Station and Workers' Stadium.

Tiananmen Square- the largest square in the world, located in the heart of Beijing, its area is 4 hectares. Every day at dawn and dusk the ceremony of raising and lowering the national flag is held on the square. On holidays it is decorated with flowers and lanterns. In the evening, a large number of capital residents and tourists gather on the square, admiring the square decorated with lights. Young people fly kites, and postcards and small souvenirs are offered everywhere.

Mausoleum of Mao Zedong– located in Tiananmen Square, opened on September 9, 1977, on the first anniversary of Mao’s death. The building is surrounded by 44 granite columns, and 30 flagpoles are installed on the western and eastern sides of the building, symbolizing the thirty provinces and autonomous regions of China. In the first hall there is a marble monument to Mao, in the central hall there is an embalmed body of the chairman in a crystal coffin.

Gugong Imperial Palace (Forbidden City)– the former residence of the Chinese emperor is the main attraction of Beijing; 24 emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties lived here. The last emperor left the palace in 1925. It is located in the northern part of Tiananmen Square. In plan, the palace is a rectangle measuring 760 by 960 m, surrounded by a moat 52 m wide and a wall 10 m high. The Forbidden City is a whole complex of various structures, pavilions, bridges, the emperor’s home, gardens, gazebos, and swimming pools.

Thirteen tombs. There are 13 tombs of Ming Dynasty emperors located 50 km from Beijing. Each tomb is surrounded by a fortress wall with a gate, behind which there is a burial mound with a tower. And deep underground there is the so-called “underground palace”, where, in fact, the sarcophagi with the emperor and his loved ones are located. A visit to such a palace is of interest to tourists. Also here is the famous Avenue of Spirits - huge statues of people and animals that guard the tombs.

Parks and natural landscapes

Beihai Park located in the center of Beijing, area 68 hectares. It was an imperial park during the Liao, Jin, Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties. More than half of the park's territory is occupied by a large lake, in the center of which is Qiondao Island. A white pagoda rises above the island.

Yiheyuan Summer Imperial Palace located 25 km from Beijing, built for Empress Ci Xi. Nowadays tourists are attracted by the magnificent park preserved at the palace. The park's walking area includes mountains, two lakes, and a 728 m long gallery, where each flight of steps is decorated with magnificent paintings.

Jinshan Park (Beautiful Scenery Mountain) located north of the Gugun Museum, it is now a favorite vacation spot for Beijingers. In the center of the park is a large hill, on top of which stands an elegant gazebo. Hundreds of people, young and old, practice traditional Taijiquan gymnastics in this park.

Mount Shanfangshan is a natural park located 60 km southwest of Beijing, known for its magnificent scenery. There are 12 peaks and 9 caves in the park. Tourists can climb the “heavenly staircase” to the top of the mountain, visit the Dushaisa Temple, the pavilion - a repository of Buddhist sutras and other attractions.

Shidu Nature Park located in the southwest of Beijing at a distance of 90 km. The Jumahe River, which originates in the Taihang Mountains, flows through the park. On its way, the river bends 10 times. At the bends of the river there are ferry piers. To explore the entire park, you need to pass all ten piers. A giant stone, about 10 meters high, stands next to the 9th pier. The shape of the stone resembles Buddha. On the eighth pier there is an attraction that invariably attracts the attention of tourists: Bangui Jumping - a free fall from a tower.

Xiangshan Park (Fragrant Mountains) The park is known for its exquisite landscapes. Located 28 km from Beijing. The highest point is the Rufengshi stone, which is shaped very much like an incense burner. This is where the name of these mountains came from - Fragrant Mountains. Most of all, the Fragrant Mountains attract the attention of tourists in the fall. Thousands and thousands of people come to admire the red leaves falling from the mountain trees. There are many species of rare trees growing in the Fragrant Mountains.

Yanqihu Lake- This is an artificial lake. In addition to the magnificent scenery, there is a water amusement park. Among the attractions: a trip on the “dragon boat”, riding a yacht, parachute surfing.
Longqingxia Gorge Longqingxia Gorge, located in Yanqing County, is one of the most beautiful places near Beijing. The gorge stretches for 7 km. The peculiarity of the natural landscape is that tourists will see here both the graceful landscapes of southern China and the majestic pictures of nature of northern China. This rare combination makes this gorge unique.

Museums

Wax Museum of Ming Dynasty Emperors is a historical museum where scenes from the life of the Ming emperors in the form of wax figures are exhibited.

Park of Nationalities– one of the largest ethnographic museums in China. Life-size replicas have been built in the park, reflecting the architectural features of various nationalities of China: Tibetans, Koreans, Miao, Bui, Dai, etc. The park hosts performances of folk ensembles.

Peace Park is the largest theme park in China, which features replicas of 106 of the most famous monuments and landscapes from 30 countries, including the Egyptian pyramids, the Eiffel Tower, the Statue of Liberty, the Kremlin, etc. Peace Park is considered perhaps the most popular attraction in Beijing. All copies are made with maximum accuracy, but are much smaller in size, which, however, does not prevent you from taking magnificent photographs “as a keepsake.” The park was conceived specifically for poor Chinese residents who cannot afford to travel long distances.

Art Gallery– a very beautiful building in traditional Chinese style. On the ground floor there is an exhibition of watercolor works in the traditional style, on the second there is a collection of hieroglyphs.
The military museum can also be considered historical. On the first floor there is equipment: tanks, missiles, small arms, and the most interesting is on the second. In the luxurious spacious halls is the entire military history of China: diaramas, models, military chronicles on a video monitor, a real partisan camp in a mountain cave, a lot of paintings.

Temple monuments

Sky Temple– the sacrificial altar of the emperor on the southern outskirts of Beijing, the largest temple building in China, covering an area of ​​27 hectares. The temple was built at the beginning of the 15th century, since then three times a year the emperor, considered the son of Heaven, made great sacrifices to the supreme deity. Exactly in 1 hour 45 minutes. Before dawn, the emperor ascended to the altar of Heaven - a large balustrade made of white carved marble, here he made sacrifices: animals and birds, grains, silk, precious stones, and later paper money, asking for harvest and prosperity for his people.

Yonghegong Palace- the most famous and largest lamaist monastery in Beijing. The palace occupies an area of ​​about 57 thousand square meters. m. From the entrance to the north there is a rather long alley, known as the “imperial road”, at the end of which there are several gates, from which pavilions go deeper into the monastery: Harmony and Peace, Eternal Happiness, Wheel of Law.

Temple of Confucius was built in 1306, here the emperors of the last dynasties honored the creator of the fundamental teachings for all Chinese. The territory of the temple is 22 thousand square meters. m. surrounded by a brick wall. Behind the main gate is a cozy courtyard with rows of stone steles on which the sayings of Confucius are carved.
Other attractions

Central Television Tower– the second tallest tower in China (238 m) equipped with an observation deck offering a magnificent view of Beijing. There is also a good restaurant and souvenir shop there.

Beijing Aquarium– the longest “sea tunnel” in Asia. Standing on a moving walkway, you can watch the most exotic inhabitants of the World Ocean - from tiny tropical fish of amazing colors to insidious sharks. A visit to the aquarium will leave you with an unforgettable impression.

Zoo is located next to the aquarium and it is quite appropriate for tourists with children to visit it at the same time. There is a rich collection of representatives of the animal world, and, of course, the famous panda, another symbol of China.

underground city- a network of bomb shelters, which are now used for warehouses, shops, restaurants, etc. The Underground Tour shows 270m long tunnels 15m underground. In total, there are 12 restaurants and about 100 hotels in the underground city. The rooms are completely isolated from noise, dust and insects.

Amusement park located within the city is a typical amusement park for children: carousels and many other attractions where you can spend the whole day.

Country Disneyland It was built recently and is a huge city where it will be interesting for both children and adults. This park really resembles the famous Disneyland with all kinds of attractions.

Aquapark makes up for the lack of opportunity to go to the sea. A huge water feature with a great variety of steep slides, artificial waves and other water attractions offers recreation for the whole family. For those who do not want to splash in the water, there is a sauna, gym, massage and other pleasant entertainment.

Entertainment

Peking Opera- this is “feelings conveyed by gestures”, a theater of masks, a special unique mixture of theater, pantomime, acrobatics, circus and carnival action. The main paradox is that in Peking Opera they sing in falsetto, and the female roles are performed by men. It originated, like the whole theater, from ancient street performances. This is where the set of attributes and main characters come from. The most common: qing yu - a beautiful young girl, hua dan - a married woman, wu chen - a warrior or official, xiao chen - a young man, lao chen - a middle-aged man. Negative (fu jing) and positive (zheng jing) are distinguished by brightly colored faces. Colors have a lot of meaning, for example gold and silver tones are associated with monsters or immortals. The plots are quite simple: good old tales of love with an inevitable happy ending.

Performances of Peking Opera can be seen in Liyuan Theater(inside the Qianmen Hotel), Jixian(near Wangfujin Pedestrian Street, opposite the Taiwan Hotel), Capital Theater(in the same area, south of the Sara Hotel), the largest opera hall in the city is Chinese Grand Theater, north of the Shangri-La Hotel.
Beijing Circus– in their art, acrobats combined dance rhythms, gymnastic techniques, juggling and magic tricks with purely acrobatic tricks. The skill of Chinese gymnasts has been surprising audiences all over the world for 30 years. For parents with children, visiting the Beijing circus will be an unforgettable experience.

Special visiting sites

By this name we mean a series of special establishments created by the government to promote an exclusive national product and replenish the city budget. All foreign tourists are brought here, where they can not only learn a lot of interesting things, but also make good purchases.

Tea house– a building in a traditional Chinese style, where in cozy rooms girls in national costumes talk about the Chinese tradition of tea drinking, offer to taste different types of tea, and then buy the tea or tea set you like.

Silk House– in the first hall they will tell you the history of silk, the technology of raising silkworms, and show you how silk thread is extracted. In the second hall you are offered to purchase natural silk fabrics, blankets, bed linen, bedspreads, then in a special hall they will show you clothing models. after which you can make purchases. The last hall offers a large selection of clothes, scarves, bags, etc. made of natural silk, dresses in the national style, Chinese robes.

Pearl House. Here, right before your eyes, they will open a shell with freshwater pearls and tell you about the process of forming a pearl. The next room offers jewelry with natural river and sea pearls, as well as cosmetics based on crushed pearls.

Jade House. Here you can get acquainted with natural jade products, as well as purchase souvenirs and other products made from this stone.

Tibetan Medicine Center offers a conversation with a Tibetologist, free pulse diagnosis, and an introductory massage session. The doctor will give recommendations on the prevention and treatment of diseases, and also offer miracle remedies made from natural materials.

Juran National Park is a place where you can not only have a great rest, but also learn interesting stories about the primitive people who once lived in these places.

Yuran National Park is located in the Huairu region, next to one of the sections of the Great Wall of China. From the highest points of the park there is an amazing panorama of mighty mountains, meadows blooming with herbs and a stormy mountain river.

Especially for visitors, the park was divided into three parts. In the first part there is a museum of primitive people. In the mysterious halls of the museum there are the most ancient cave paintings, totems, masks and much more.

In the second part of the park there is an imitation of a primitive hut. Entering it, you will see primitive household items, as well as clothes of those times.

In the third part of the park you will find entertainment. You can ride horses in the forest, rent a boat, or just have a small picnic. For extreme sports enthusiasts, there is a rope park in Juran.

Xiayunling National Park

Xiayunling National Park, located 76 kilometers from the Beijing urban area, is a huge nature reserve dedicated to recreation.

It covers an area of ​​218 square kilometers, of which 73 percent is forest. The warm climate and unique landscape have made the park one of the most visited places in Beijing.

The park has several interesting attractions, among which the most popular are the underground karst caves and the 2,000-meter-high mountain.

In the park, tourists can experience the perfect combination of the beauty of nature with the richness of cultural heritage. Subalpine meadows with hundreds of flowering plants, underground caves, rich flora and fauna with Chinese pines, oriental thujas, white birches and larches and rare species of animals are protected by the state.

Longtan Lake Park

Longtan Lake Park is located in Chongwen District, east of the Temple of Heaven.

In the center of the park is the large Dragon Lake. In general, the theme of dragons runs through many of the park’s attractions. You can see carved wooden figures of dragons in all its corners. There are more than a hundred of them. A bridge with a pagoda in traditional Chinese style was built across the lake.

The park is home to tea houses and small restaurants. There is also an open-air bird market in the park. Hundreds of people come to buy or look at the birds. But mostly people come to Longtan Lake Park to leisurely wander around in peace and quiet.

Ming Dynasty City Wall Park

The Ming Dynasty City Wall Park is located just three kilometers from the center of Beijing.

The main attractions of the park are the remains of the city wall, built in 1419 by Emperor Zhu Di, and the southeast tower, built in 1436. Along the wall, which is one and a half kilometers long, a park was laid out in 2002.

The design of the park tends to classical simplicity. More than 70,000 square meters of lawns were created in the park, about 110,000 flowers and more than 6,000 shrubs were planted, and 400 large Chinese-style gazebos were built.

About 200,000 tourists visit the park every year.

Beihai Park in Beijing

Imperial Garden in Beijing. It was founded back in the 10th century, but opened to the general public only in 1925. It is listed among the largest Chinese gardens and contains many historically significant buildings, palaces and temples. The buildings and landscapes of this park are masterpieces of landscape design, displaying the style and superb architectural skills and richness of the art of creating a traditional Chinese garden.

The park has an area of ​​more than 69 hectares, more than half of which is occupied by Beihai Lake. In the center of the park, Qionghua Island rises 32 meters high. To the north of the park is Qianhai Lake, to the south is Zhonghai (Middle Sea).

The park contains attractions such as the Buddhist White Stupa, two restored Buddhist temples, the Five Dragons Pavilion, the Nine Dragons Wall, the Round Wall and the Light Receiving Hall.

Park Side

Side Park is one of Beijing's public city parks and welcomes visitors daily from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.

It is located in the scenic Chaoyang area and covers an area of ​​16.7 hectares.

In the period from 1993 to 1998, the park was restructured, the park areas were landscaped and landscaped. Since 2000, the park has been transferred to the Agriculture and Forestry Bureau of Chaoyang District. The Bureau's employees made a significant contribution to the development of services in the park.

Beijing Peace Park

In the Peace Park, on an area of ​​several hectares, all the most famous architectural masterpieces of the planet are presented. Eiffel Tower, Tower Bridge, Grand Canyon and Zulu Village, Easter Island, Stonehenge, St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican, Athens Acropolis, Egyptian Pyramids, Palace of the Emperor of Thailand, Taj Mahal, Leaning Tower of Pisa, White House and Capitol, Statue of Liberty, Paris Cathedral Our Lady, the Sydney Opera House - this is not a complete list of what can be seen in the park.

There is also the mythical Trojan Horse and the lost Lighthouse of Alexandria. China itself is represented in the park by the Great Wall and the gardens of Suzhou. A copy of Red Square is dedicated to Russia.

Interestingly, most of the buildings in Peace Park are made on a scale of 1:8, that is, eight times smaller than the originals. The only exceptions are very large objects, for example, the Egyptian pyramids, which are made on a smaller scale.

Now Peace Park is a favorite vacation spot for Beijing residents and tourists. National holidays of different nations of the world are regularly held here.

Wanfangting Park

Wanfangting Park is a family-friendly amusement park that features a riding club with over 50 horses, a huge water park, a bouncy castle and a trampoline.

The area of ​​the park is 10.6 hectares. In the early 1990s, the Fengtai government approved a plan to turn the green area into an amusement and recreation park. Most of the park's landscapes, as conceived by the authors, were created artificially.

The park is open daily from 8 to 18.30. This is an ideal place for morning jogging and sports, midday get-togethers and evening relaxation after a working day. There is also a full day of entertainment for children.

Since its opening, the park has welcomed more than 300 thousand visitors.

Fangshan Geological Park

Fangshan Geological Park is the first registered park in the field of geology, belonging to a UNESCO site. Since June 2009, the park has been a geological research base for the Ministry of Land and Natural Resources of China.

The park is located on the border of Beijing and Hubei province.

The total area of ​​the park is 954 square kilometers. Sometimes the park is called a natural geological museum, since using the existing rocks and topography as an example, one can trace the evolution of the Earth. There are mountains and picturesque valleys of amazing shapes, stone grottoes and karst caves, buildings with ancient architecture.

The park plays a significant role in the economic development of the country. This is a park that is also a place for camping, trekking and geotourism.

Xihaizi Park

Xihaizi Park is an urban recreational park with a small lake. It is located in the suburbs of Beijing in the area of ​​the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal. The park was built in 1936 and significantly expanded in 1985. Now it occupies more than 5,800 square meters of area.

At the center of Xihaizi Park is a children's entertainment area with 50 electronic gaming machines, children's electric cars and other toys. Within the park there is a small lake with various water activities. Swimming is allowed in it. Or you can rent a small boat and swim yourself, enjoying the beautiful views of the park.

Yangshan Park

Yangshan Park is a recreational and entertainment park that has existed for more than 1,000 years. It has many historical and architectural attractions, such as the Ming Dynasty fountain, Yuan Dynasty pavilion, Yangshan Hall, and various sculptures.

The park, built on the site of a former temple, consists of traditional Chinese gardens and is rich in culture. At the foot of the mountain there are campsites and barbecue areas.

From the top of the mountain there is a beautiful view of the Yangshan village, hills, forests and ponds. The forests of the park are home to many animals, and the meadows contain beautiful plants that delight you with their blooms. You can swim in the reservoirs and relax on the shore, which is also suitable for sports.

Niangguan Park

Niangguan Park is a scenic park with entertainment for the whole family, with a children's playground, outdoor swimming pool, gym and other facilities with first-class services to meet the various demands of tourists.

The park was built in 1956, and its restoration was carried out in 2002. Nanguan is the first ecological park to build water purification stations. Purified water is used to irrigate trees and flowers.

The park contains many natural lakes, bridges, fountains and waterfalls.

Its territory covers an area of ​​4,000 square meters. This is a small green oasis in which locals and tourists find comfort and warmth, doing their favorite activities here: playing musical instruments, reading, playing games, playing sports, socializing.

The park has restaurants that many people visit after a hard day at work.

Xiushuijie Ski Park

Xiushuijie Ski Park is an excellent ski resort located within the Snow World Ski Park at the foot of Fenghuang Mountain.

In total, the resort has 6 trails, of which two trails are 500 meters long, two more trails for beginner skiers, which are 380 meters long, and one trail for snowboarders is 380 meters long.

The ski park is equipped with modern equipment and high quality skis. In total, there are more than 3,000 pairs of skis for rent. Skiing is possible from December to February inclusive. For ease of transportation there is a cable car.

In addition to skiing, here you can ride a sleigh drawn by dogs or horses, on snow motorcycles, and ice skates.

Beijing International Sculpture Park

Beijing International Sculpture Park is located in a picturesque area of ​​Beijing. The park covers an area of ​​162 hectares and is a place where the natural landscape perfectly combines with the art of sculpture. The park is divided into two thematic zones: eastern and western. The eastern zone is also called urban. It houses modern sculptures in a modernist style. The western zone is called rural and contains sculptures depicting scenes from rural life. In total, more than 200 sculptures from 40 countries are exhibited in the park. The park also contains a huge magnolia garden with 5,000 trees.

Beijing amusement park

Beijing Amusement Park is located fifteen kilometers from Tiananmen Square on the metro line with a stop near the park itself.

It opened in 1986 and is Asia's largest amusement park. The area it occupies is 400,000 square meters.

The park contains all the most modern attractions that you can imagine: roller coasters, a miniature railway, various swings and carousels. It’s simply impossible to list everything. The park regularly hosts all kinds of children's parties with the participation of your favorite Disney characters, festivals and competitions.

Red Army Park

Red Army Park is one of the theme parks in Beijing and covers an area of ​​90 hectares.

The purpose of creating the park is to preserve the historical past of the country, to familiarize visitors with the events of the Long March of the Workers' and Peasants' Red Army of China. The park reproduces in miniature version the main points of the Red Army routes.

Periodically, the park hosts an exhibition telling about the Great March. In 2013, an exhibition of archival materials about this historical event will be held here. These are mainly documents, military action plans, instructions from Mao Zedong himself and other Army leaders.

Jiufeng Forest Park

Jiufeng National Forest Park is located 18 kilometers from the Summer Palace.

The park is known for its stunning natural landscape. Old winding zigzag paths lead up to Mount Jiufeng and along the way there are beautiful views of the entire mountainous region covered with pine forest.

The park covers an area of ​​more than 830 hectares and is a real treasure trove of rare plants. The park also contains many historical attractions, such as the Jiufeng Villa, built during the Liao Dynasty, the Xiufeng Temple of the Ming Dynasty, the Xiangtang Temple of the Qing Dynasty, and China's first seismological station, built in the 1930s.

Mangshan Forest Park

Mangshan National Forest Park ranks first in terms of forest area in the vicinity of Beijing. Forests cover 86.5% of the park's total area and cover an area of ​​86 square kilometers. The park includes the artificial Sky Lake and Mang Mountain, which is 659 meters high. At the top of the mountain there is a 37-meter observation tower. The park is home to more than 170 species of trees and flowers.

The amazingly beautiful nature, in fact, is the main attraction of the park, but not the only one. The park contains one of the largest stone statues of Maitreya Buddha, weighing 1,500 tons and almost 10 meters high.

Haidian Park

Haidian Park is a city park located in the northwest region of Beijing. It covers an area of ​​about 40 hectares, of which more than 30 hectares are green lands. The main attractions of the park are picturesque rice fields, the Great Meadow, and a garden on the water. By the way, the Great Meadow is the largest meadow in Beijing. There are also many royal relics in the park, such as Changchun Garden, Xihua Garden, Quan Temple and others.

Haidian Park often hosts popular cultural events, including a contemporary music festival and a jazz festival.

Lianhua Ski Park

Lianhua Ski Park is a large and inexpensive ski park located in the Shunyi area. The park was opened in 2003. The park has an advantageous geographical location - located near the center of Beijing and 30 kilometers from the airport. The park has a huge parking lot for cars.

In the park you can go skiing, snowmobiling, snowboarding, and interesting and exciting snowmobile routes have been developed. For a comfortable stay, the park has a restaurant, a swimming pool, and a villa, the rooms of which are decorated in Russian style. The park welcomes guests throughout the year.

Yufa Forest Park

Yufa Forest Park is famous for its trees, which are planted not in clear rows, but naturally, as in living nature - this reflects their naturalness and beauty.

In the eastern part of the park, trees are planted whose leaves are red all year round. In total, the park has more than 150 species of various trees, including exotic and rare ones.

The Yufa Forest Park also contains rare species of wild animals, mainly tigers and lions. Animals live in conditions as close as possible to their natural habitat and even reproduce.

Hong Ling Jin Park

Hong Ling Jin Park is located about ten kilometers from the center of Beijing. It was created in 1958 as a place for recreation and patriotic education of youth. The park covers an area of ​​96 acres. In the park there is a small lake, many trees and flowers. The park contains several groups of patriotic sculptures of young revolutionaries who suffered martyrdom, such as Lei Feng, Liu Hulan and others. The area where the sculptures are located is surrounded by green lawns and flower beds. There are also two equipped children's playgrounds in the park - one in the southern part of the park, the other in the northern.

Badaling National Forest Park

Badaling National Forest Park is located in a mountainous area next to the Great Wall of China and covers an area of ​​65 hectares. It is in the area of ​​the park that the most beautiful section of the Great Wall passes. Badaling Park is home to 539 plant species, many of which are considered rare. The forest is home to 158 species of animals.

Among the attractions of the park are the Green Dragon Alley and the Great Wall of China. But its main attraction is the autumn red leaves of maples. Autumn in the park comes a month earlier than in Beijing, and many residents of the capital and tourists come here to admire the red maples.

Beijing Wildlife Park

Beijing Wildlife Park was built in 1906 and is considered the oldest zoo in China.

The park collects, protects and breeds rare fauna.

The park covers an area of ​​3,600 hectares and contains more than ten thousand individuals of two hundred species of animals.

There are more than thirty thematic farms and museums in the park.

Among the exotic representatives of the animal world you can see here, for example, the snub-nosed monkey or the giant panda.

Beijing Wildlife Park is located relatively close to the central part of the city, which is also important for tourists.

Chinese Ethnic Cultural Park

China Ethnic Cultural Park is a city park in Beijing containing about 45 ethnic villages and more than 200 buildings. The National Museum of China is also built here.

The park is located on an area of ​​more than 50 hectares. Cultural events, concerts, international conferences, and many annual traditional festivals often take place here. This park is eagerly visited by tourists, as here you can see and understand the culture of the Chinese.

The park has free parking, equipped recreation areas, cozy eateries, and souvenir shops.

Huangchenggen Ruins Park

Huangchenggen Ruins Park is located in the heart of the capital, east of the Forbidden City. It was created in September 2001. The total length of the park is 2.4 kilometers and the width is only 29 meters. At its core, the park is an alley along which are located the remains of buildings from the Ming and Qing dynasties. The park stretches from Changan Street in the south to Pingan Street in the north. Maples, pines and other trees are planted throughout the park. The green area of ​​the Huangchenggen Ruins Park, despite its apparent small size, is almost 75 thousand square meters. In the future, it is planned to increase the park's landscaping to 90% of the entire territory it occupies.

Yingshan Forest Park

Yingshan Forest Park is a natural park with diverse vegetation and rare species of birds and animals. It is located in the southwestern suburbs of Beijing, 15 kilometers from the city center. It opened in 1990 and covers an area of ​​800,000 square meters with a height difference of 73 to 125 meters. The park has four scenic areas. More than 200 species of trees and plants grow in the park. There are seven flower valleys in the park.

In addition to diverse vegetation, the park boasts an abundance of rare birds and animals, such as macaques, sika deer, pheasants, and peacocks.

There are no established tourist routes in the park. At the entrance, visitors receive a map and compass and choose their own sightseeing route.

Abandoned Wonderland Amusement Park

The abandoned Wonderland amusement park is located near Beijing. Construction of the park stopped ten years ago due to a dispute between local authorities, farmers and developers over the cost of land.

During this time of dispute, all of its structures were covered with a thick layer of dust, and the asphalt on the roads was cracked. Peasants began to work on the construction of the land.

In the middle of an open field there are the ruins of a castle with beautiful turrets, the asphalt of the park is cracked, and the paths are overgrown with grass. The total area of ​​the park covers more than 100 hectares. No one is guarding the facility, but no one plans to demolish the buildings.

Tuanjiehu Park

Tuanjiehu Park was built in 1958.

The park is surrounded on all sides by water, giving the impression that it is located on an island. The park has a large outdoor swimming pool equipped with a wave-creating device. The pool is surrounded on all sides by an artificial sandy beach. Next to it is a building built in the shape of a sea cruise liner.

Tuanjiehu Park is a great place for families with children. In addition to water activities, the park has a badminton court, roller skate rentals, and a dovecote where children can get to know the birds better.

Fenghuangling National Nature Park

Fenghuangling National Nature Park is located 30 kilometers from the center of Beijing and covers an area of ​​15.33 square kilometers.

The park combines beautiful natural landscapes with historical relics. Three excursion routes pass through its territory, which cover more than forty natural, historical, cultural and religious attractions - such as Shangfang Temple, Geyi Nunnery, Linglong Pagoda, stone towers, Cangzhen Cave, Longquan Temple, Cave of the Three Buddhas, Yijing Pond, Wei Dynasty Stone Buddha, Cave of the Immortals and many others.

Lianhuachi Park

Lianhuachi Park is located very close to Beijing West Railway Station. Its total area is 44.6 hectares.

The park is a classic Chinese garden set around the historic Lotus Pond. The pond dates back more than 3,000 years. Chinese pines, acacias, cedars and magnolias are planted on both sides of the pond. Many flower beds have been destroyed. But the most stunning scenery is the view of 80,000 blooming lotuses on the pond.

A summer theater and musical fountains on both sides of it were built next to the pond. The best time to visit Lianhuachi Park is, of course, summer, when the lotuses bloom on the pond.

Qingnianhu Park

Qingnianhu Park is a typical modern urban park in Beijing. It was created in 1960. The total area of ​​the park is one hundred seventy thousand square kilometers. A third of the park area is occupied by an artificial lake. It was dug by Beijing youth in 1958. By the way, the name of the park Qingnianhu translated from Chinese means “lake of youth”.

The park is home to more than sixteen thousand trees, which form various scenic areas. The natural beauty of these areas is organically complemented by works of modern Chinese sculpture. There are several cafes and one restaurant in the park. There are many entertaining water attractions built on the lake.

Xiaolongmen National Park

Xiaolongmen National Park is located on the highest point in Beijing - Mount Lishan, 114 kilometers from the city center. The park covers an area of ​​771 hectares, which includes beautiful mountains, historical monuments such as the Great Wall of China, towers and fortresses.

Xiaolongmen is a natural zoo and botanical garden that is home to over 700 animal species and over 800 plant species. It is a good location for sightseeing, conferences and research, and summer camps.

It is advisable to visit the park four times a year - in each season, which is amazing and unusual in its own way. Here you can set up a tent camp, or you can stay in a local hotel.

Fangshan Bixi Fishing and Recreational Park

Fangshan Bixi Fishing and Recreation Park is a great place to relax, both alone and with the whole family. The park is located in the very center of Beijing and is very popular among tourists and local residents.

In Fangshan Bixi Park you can set up a tent camp, have a picnic for the whole family and, of course, fish. It is not for nothing that the main attraction of the park is the lake with numerous water canals. You can rent a fishing rod and everything you need for fishing at a local rental office.

After a walk through the green lawns of the park, it is worth visiting the recreation area. There are hammocks, a picnic area, a children's playground, and several cafes where you can try traditional Chinese cuisine.

Tennis courts of the Olympic Park

The tennis courts of the Olympic Park are a huge sports tennis center. The center has been open since autumn 2007. Its area is 166.8 thousand square meters. In general, the sports facility looks like a blooming lotus flower. The center has ten tennis courts for competitions and six practice courts. The main court is called the Diamond Court and is designed for 15 thousand spectators. The central court is designed for 10 thousand spectators, court No. 1 - for 4 thousand spectators, court No. 2 - for 2 thousand spectators. These courts hosted the qualifying and final tennis competitions for the 2008 Olympics.

Xishan National Forest Park

Xishan National Forest Park is located just twenty kilometers west of Beijing. It was founded in 1984 and covers an area of ​​almost sixty square kilometers. The park is home to many species of wild animals and birds and more than two hundred and fifty species of trees and plants.

In addition to rich natural resources, Xishan National Forest Park has a large number of historical relics. It contains many ancient temples, such as Fuhui Temple and Jingfu Temple, as well as the tombs of Emperors Jing Tai and Wang Li.

The best time to visit the park is in the spring, when the apricot and peach trees bloom, or in the fall, when the leaves on the oak and maple trees turn yellow.

Jiulong Amusement Park

Jiulong Amusement Park is a huge theme park combining land-based entertainment and tourism facilities with water and underwater features. The park is located in the northern suburbs of Beijing on the shore of a lake. Land-based facilities include observation decks, a yacht pier, a dining hall and the Great Hall of the Dragon Palace. The Dragon Palace was built in the very center of the lake in traditional Chinese style. Its height is 42.5 meters. There is also an underwater Dragon Palace, the only one of its kind in all of Beijing. It immerses visitors into a mythical fantasy world. It is the combination of tourism infrastructure with entertainment that makes Jiulong Park a unique holiday destination.

Jingshan (Landscape Mountain) Park

Jingshan Park (or Scenery Mountain Park) in Beijing - artificial hills about 45 meters high and an area of ​​more than 230 square meters. It is now a public park.

The park was originally an imperial garden, which was built during the Ming Dynasty. The park consists of five hills, and on the top of each hill a Chinese-style palace is built. These gazebos are great for relaxing and having a good time with friends.

At the highest point of the mountain, 43 meters high, in the center of the park is the Wanchunting gazebo, which is considered the center of historical Beijing. The hill offers beautiful views of many of the city's attractions.

Jingshan Park is especially popular among the elderly, who enjoy dancing, singing and other cultural activities here.

Banbidian Forest Park

Banbidian is a forest park covering an area of ​​more than 130 square kilometers, which is covered with virgin forest trees.

The park is home to more than 700 species of plants and more than 100 species of wild animals. There are more than 30 species of trees alone - poplar, willow, pine, cypress, mulberry and others. There are more than one hundred and eighty thousand trees here.

This forest is distinguished by its high mountains, clear springs, a large number of meadows with flowers and large stones of strange shapes.

There are also ancient tombs left over from ancient Chinese dynasties.

Walking in this forest, you can breathe fresh air and enjoy the cool climate, especially in the hot summer.

Xiaotanshan Modern Agricultural Science Park

The Xiaotanshan Modern Agricultural Science Park was built in 1998 and began operating in 2001 to showcase the achievements of Chinese agriculture. This is one of 36 such parks in China.

The park covers an area of ​​111.4 square kilometers and is divided into four zones in which various crops are grown. The territory is rich in fertile soils and is crossed by 8 rivers.

This park has modern, technologically advanced greenhouses in which rare species of orchids and cyclamen are grown. There are plantations where giant pumpkins with a diameter of up to one meter are grown. Rice, potatoes, tomatoes, and various types of fruits are also grown here.

On weekdays the park is open to visitors and educational tours are held.

There is a shop in the park where you can buy flowers, fruits and vegetables grown here.

Beijing Yuetan Park

Beijing Yuetan Park was built in 1530. It served as a place where the emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties made sacrifices to the Moon God and Star Gods, so the main object in the park is the Moon Altar. The park covers an area of ​​just over eight hectares. At its core, it is a classical Chinese garden. There are many pine trees, cypress trees and various ornamental plants planted in the park. Architectural landmarks include the Heavenly Gate, Bell Tower, Lanyue Pavilion, Yuetan Palace, Jiyue Pavilion and Yuegui Pavilion. The theme of the Moon runs through the park as a red thread. Almost all the park's attractions are dedicated to it.

Park Ritan

Ritan Park, located in the “Russian” district of Beijing, is a great place for relaxation and a great time for Chinese and foreign tourists.

The park is home to the Sun Temple, built in 1530 by the Ming Dynasty emperor for sacrifices to the Sun.

In 1956, after reconstruction and expansion of the territory to 246,613 square meters, the park was reopened to the public. Here everyone will find a corner to their liking: gardens and entertainment areas, a fishing area for fishing enthusiasts, music festivals, flower exhibitions, areas for creativity and active recreation.

The park contains many architectural structures, lakes, flowers, trees, including many ancient ones. For example, the 1100-year-old cypress, which is also called “Nine Dragons”: the black branches of the tree, directed upward, resemble the heads of dragons.

Liuyin Park

Liuyin Park is especially revered by Beijing residents. It is more reminiscent of rural nature untouched by civilization than a city park. Shady alleys, a lake overgrown with lilies, and old willows above the water make the park a cozy picturesque corner in the middle of a huge metropolis. Liuyin Park opened in 1984. It covers an area of ​​17.47 hectares. The park is designed so that its landscapes can be enjoyed at any time of the year. Thirty varieties of willows are planted on its territory. In the center of the park is a lake on which there is a huge island called Spring Island. Three bridges connect it to the shore. Liuyin Park is the quietest and most peaceful of all Beijing parks.

Beijing sights