Beijing Travel Guide: Exploring the Historical Context of the Ancient Capital
Beijing, this ancient yet modern city, is home to a wealth of historical and cultural heritages. If you are eager to explore the historical context of the ancient capital, then this Beijing travel guide will show you the way.
Documents: Bring valid identification documents such as ID cards and passports.
Clothing: Prepare appropriate clothing according to the season. Beijing has distinct four seasons, with cold winters and hot summers.
Transportation card: Get a Beijing transportation card for convenient use on subways, buses and other public transportation.
Book accommodation: Choose suitable accommodation according to your budget and preferences. It is recommended to select a place in the city center or near tourist attractions for easy travel.
Go to Tiananmen Square and admire the majestic Tiananmen Gate, the Monument to the People's Heroes, and the Chairman Mao Memorial Hall. You can get up early to watch the flag-raising ceremony and feel the solemn atmosphere.
Visit the National Museum of China to learn about Chinese history and culture.
Tour the Palace Museum, which is the imperial palace of the Ming and Qing dynasties and has abundant cultural relics and architectural art. You can visit the main palaces along the central axis, such as the Hall of Supreme Harmony, the Hall of Central Harmony, and the Hall of Preserving Harmony, and feel the majesty and grandeur of the imperial family.
Exit from the Shenwumen of the Palace Museum, and opposite is Jingshan Park. Climb to the Wanchun Pavilion in Jingshan Park to overlook the panoramic view of the Palace Museum and the central area of Beijing.
Take the subway or bus to Badaling Great Wall. You can choose to take the cable car or hike up the Great Wall.
Admire the magnificent scenery of the Great Wall and feel the wisdom and courage of the ancients.
Go to the Summer Palace, which is a large imperial garden and is known as the "Museum of Royal Gardens". You can enjoy the beautiful lake view, ancient architecture and garden landscape.
Visit the main attractions of the Summer Palace, such as the Long Corridor, the Seventeen-Arch Bridge, and the Tower of Buddhist Incense.
Go to Yuanmingyuan, which is a large imperial garden ruins and was once a masterpiece of ancient Chinese garden art. You can visit the ruins park of Yuanmingyuan and learn about its history and culture.
Admire the natural scenery and garden landscape of Yuanmingyuan and feel the vicissitudes and changes of history.
Go to the Temple of Heaven, which was the place where emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties offered sacrifices to heaven. You can visit the main buildings of the Temple of Heaven, such as the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, the Imperial Vault of Heaven, and the Circular Mound Altar.
Learn about Chinese ancient sacrificial culture and architectural art.
Go to Nanluoguxiang, which is a hutong with old Beijing charm. You can stroll through various specialty stores, taste delicious food and feel the life atmosphere of old Beijing.
Exit from the north end of Nanluoguxiang, and opposite is Shichahai. You can take a walk around Shichahai, enjoy the lake view, and also choose to take a boat tour on Shichahai.
Evening: Have dinner at a restaurant near Shichahai and then you can go to a bar or café to enjoy a leisurely time.
Roast duck: The iconic cuisine of Beijing, with crispy skin and tender meat and rich fragrance. Recommended restaurants include Quanjude and Dadong Roast Duck Restaurant.
Noodles with soybean paste: A traditional cuisine of old Beijing, with chewy noodles and rich-flavored soybean paste. You can taste it at street-side stalls or restaurants.
Douzhi and jiaoquan: Special snacks of Beijing with unique flavors that need to be tasted slowly. You can try them at Huguosi Snacks and other places.
Pea flour cake, Lvdagun, etc.: Various traditional Beijing snacks that can be bought and tasted at snack stores or supermarkets.
Subway: Beijing has a well-developed subway network that can take you to various tourist attractions conveniently. You can download the official Beijing subway APP to check subway lines and station information.
Bus: Beijing's bus routes cover a wide range. You can use navigation apps such as Baidu Maps or Gaode Maps to check bus routes and station information.
Taxi/online car-hailing: You can take taxis or online car-hailing services in the urban area, but be aware of traffic congestion.
V. Precautions
Respect historical culture: When visiting historical sites and museums, respect historical culture and do not touch cultural relics and ancient buildings at will.
Pay attention to safety: When visiting attractions like the Great Wall, pay attention to safety and follow the regulations of the scenic area. Do not climb dangerous areas.
Reasonably arrange time: Beijing has many tourist attractions, so you need to reasonably arrange your time to avoid a too-tight schedule.
Pay attention to weather changes: Beijing's weather changes greatly. You need to bring appropriate clothing and rain gear according to the weather.
