Touring around Beijing or Peking, the capital of China, you’re sure to gape at this wondrous city of contrasts, with its high rises alongside quaint architecture and opulent palaces of yore! This is a place where modernism blends with tradition.
What better way to start experiencing Beijing than from the Tiananmen Square, the world’s largest square, which can easily contain 1 million people!! You can very well imagine how big Beijing could be! It is on this square that military parades and other important events are held. More fascinating are the buildings surrounding the square. The remains of the first Peking man was found here, proving the existence of Beijing city to be 700,000 years old! Although the remains disappeared during World War II, the remains of others, bones and equipments are housed in a museum.
The Great Hall of the People, which is China’s legislature, is located here in Tiananmen Square. An interesting attraction here is the embalmed body of the renowned Chairman Mao Zedong-the father of Chinese Revolution exhibited at the Mao mausoleum.
South of Tiananmen Square is the famed 15th century Temple of Heaven, Tian Tan, known world-wide for its marvelous architecture. A flight of steps held by a circular enclosure leads you to the inner chamber. The roof is a three tiered pagoda. Alongside are other buildings including the Altar of Heaven, made of marble and the Hall of Prayer.
No trip to China is complete without scaling the Great Wall of China! It’s not called one of the wonders of the world for nothing! Spanning several thousand kilometers, from Jiayu Guan to China’s east coast, the wall sneaks to north of Beijing. People who’ve been to the moon are known to have sighted the wall! Its construction began in the third century and continued for several hundreds of years!
With myriad Chinese legends being woven around the Forbidden City, the place is shrouded in mystery and is a must-see! Having been home to China’s mighty emperors, for 500 years, it’s also known as the Imperial Palace or Gugong. The walled fortress surrounding the city dates back to 15th century. The sprawling forecourts in front of high terraces and many roofed halls, lend ample spaciousness to the impressive place. The roofs portray the typical Chinese architecture, with conical roofs, the corners of which traditionally curve upwards! The place with its colossal pagoda-like building is a landmark. The palace today exhibits some rare artifacts. Qian Men is one of the nine gates leading to the Imperial palace and is a landmark.
Equally impressive are the Ming Tombs, where the Chinese emperors and their families were buried. Amidst the grounds, is a museum, which showcases the ornate jewelry worn by the imperial women.
Beijing also boasts of beautifully maintained gardens, like Bei Hai Park, which was once a Chinese imperial garden. Within the park are many temples. Jing Shan Park houses the Jing Shan Palace, perched atop a hill. The Summer Palace on the banks of Kunming Lakes, was the summer residence of the Emperors. Set amidst sprawling forested woods, with lakes and historic sites, today, it’s a beautiful public garden, with an arched bridge and sculptures. The Painting Walkway is a path which features over 14,000 ancient Chinese paintings! The Grand View Garden in Xuanwu district, is picturesque with pavilions and ancient temples.
The Tianning Pagoda is exquisitely carved in stone, with its towers bearing many marvelous curved tiers. The base bears many ornate sculptures.
What better way to start experiencing Beijing than from the Tiananmen Square, the world’s largest square, which can easily contain 1 million people!! You can very well imagine how big Beijing could be! It is on this square that military parades and other important events are held. More fascinating are the buildings surrounding the square. The remains of the first Peking man was found here, proving the existence of Beijing city to be 700,000 years old! Although the remains disappeared during World War II, the remains of others, bones and equipments are housed in a museum.
The Great Hall of the People, which is China’s legislature, is located here in Tiananmen Square. An interesting attraction here is the embalmed body of the renowned Chairman Mao Zedong-the father of Chinese Revolution exhibited at the Mao mausoleum.
South of Tiananmen Square is the famed 15th century Temple of Heaven, Tian Tan, known world-wide for its marvelous architecture. A flight of steps held by a circular enclosure leads you to the inner chamber. The roof is a three tiered pagoda. Alongside are other buildings including the Altar of Heaven, made of marble and the Hall of Prayer.
No trip to China is complete without scaling the Great Wall of China! It’s not called one of the wonders of the world for nothing! Spanning several thousand kilometers, from Jiayu Guan to China’s east coast, the wall sneaks to north of Beijing. People who’ve been to the moon are known to have sighted the wall! Its construction began in the third century and continued for several hundreds of years!
With myriad Chinese legends being woven around the Forbidden City, the place is shrouded in mystery and is a must-see! Having been home to China’s mighty emperors, for 500 years, it’s also known as the Imperial Palace or Gugong. The walled fortress surrounding the city dates back to 15th century. The sprawling forecourts in front of high terraces and many roofed halls, lend ample spaciousness to the impressive place. The roofs portray the typical Chinese architecture, with conical roofs, the corners of which traditionally curve upwards! The place with its colossal pagoda-like building is a landmark. The palace today exhibits some rare artifacts. Qian Men is one of the nine gates leading to the Imperial palace and is a landmark.
Equally impressive are the Ming Tombs, where the Chinese emperors and their families were buried. Amidst the grounds, is a museum, which showcases the ornate jewelry worn by the imperial women.
Beijing also boasts of beautifully maintained gardens, like Bei Hai Park, which was once a Chinese imperial garden. Within the park are many temples. Jing Shan Park houses the Jing Shan Palace, perched atop a hill. The Summer Palace on the banks of Kunming Lakes, was the summer residence of the Emperors. Set amidst sprawling forested woods, with lakes and historic sites, today, it’s a beautiful public garden, with an arched bridge and sculptures. The Painting Walkway is a path which features over 14,000 ancient Chinese paintings! The Grand View Garden in Xuanwu district, is picturesque with pavilions and ancient temples.
The Tianning Pagoda is exquisitely carved in stone, with its towers bearing many marvelous curved tiers. The base bears many ornate sculptures.
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