| The capital of the People's Republic of China, | | | | as the Ming Tombs. Of the Ming Tombs that are |
| Beijing is a municipality directly under the control | | | | open to the public are Changling and Dingling, which |
| of the central government of China. Situated on | | | | in turn is an incredible underground palace. Beijing |
| the eastern coast of the country on the Pacific | | | | also has to its credit the world's largest city |
| Ocean, with the Taihang Mountain to the north | | | | square - Tian'anmen Square, located in the center |
| and the Yanshan Mountain to the west, Beijing is | | | | of city, covering an area of 400,000 sq km. The |
| one of the largest metropolitan areas of trade | | | | focal point of the square is a towering monument, |
| and finance, and is the center of politics and | | | | which commemorates the martyrs who sacrificed |
| international exchanges. | | | | their lives for the welfare of the country. |
| The city's history as the capital of the country | | | | Other top attractions in the region are the Sacred |
| dates back to more than 800 years, during the | | | | Way - the main road leading to the Ming Tombs; |
| reign of Yuan Dynasty. Beijing is endowed with a | | | | Lama Temple - the largest lamasery in the city; |
| variety of historical as well as awesome | | | | and Hutongs, which are a kind of lane lined by |
| attractions, which are further mentioned in this | | | | courtyards consisting of compound houses on |
| article. | | | | either side. |
| The greatest of all the attractions in Beijing is the | | | | No visit to Beijing would be complete with out |
| Forbidden City, which is the most magnificent as | | | | taking a trip to such landmarks of the city as |
| well as splendid architectural palace complex in the | | | | Ancient Cliff House, also known as Guyaju; |
| country. Constructed between 1406 and 1420, | | | | Baiwangshan Forest Park, surrounded by beautiful |
| the Forbidden City is also known as the Palace | | | | plants and flowers; Beijing Aquarium within the |
| Museum, and is one among the top five palaces in | | | | Beijing Zoo; Beijing Botanical Garden, containing a |
| the world. | | | | rare species of plants and flowers; Memorial of |
| Another remarkable attraction in the city is the | | | | Jiaozhuanghu Tunnel Warfare Site; Jiufeng National |
| Summer Palace, an amazing imperial palace that | | | | Forest Park; Shihua Cave, acknowledged as the |
| once served as the summer resort of the Qing | | | | 'Underground Pearl of Beijing;' and Zhangfang |
| Dynasty. The highlight of the palace is a royal | | | | Ancient Battle Tunnel, which was erected during |
| garden, which stands as a stupendous example of | | | | the reign of Emperor Song Zhenzong of the |
| imperial garden in classic Chinese style. | | | | Northern Song Dynasty. |
| Beijing is also home to the Great Wall, the only | | | | A good number of museums can also be found in |
| man-made structure that is visible from the | | | | the city, such as, Beijing Ancient Architecture |
| moon. Equally worth mentioning is such historical | | | | Museum, China Printing Museum, Museum of |
| sites as the Temple of Haven, where according | | | | Dabaotai Han Tomb, China Bee Museum, Xu |
| to legends, the Ming and Qing emperors carried | | | | Beihong Museum, and Museum of West Zhou |
| out solemn rituals for plentiful harvests. Built in | | | | Yandu Relics. |
| 1420, the temple is the largest of its kind in the | | | | Beijing is a venue for a plethora of exciting |
| country. | | | | festivals, including Lantern Festival, Beijing Spring |
| Top attractions in Beijing also include Beihai Park, | | | | Festival, and Longqing Gorge Lantern Festival. The |
| an exquisite destination spread across more than | | | | city also hosts a range of international events like |
| 65 hectares of land, of which half of the area is | | | | the International Entomological Conference and |
| occupied by water. One of the oldest Chinese | | | | the Asian Games. |
| gardens, the park once served as the imperial | | | | With these umpteen attractions, Beijing is visited |
| gardens of dynasties including Liao, Jin, Yuan, Ming, | | | | by people year-round. Hence, Beijing comes with a |
| and Qing. The highlights of the park are | | | | variety of accommodation choices to cater to |
| categorized into four sections: Qionghua Islet, | | | | every taste and pocket. Many of the resorts and |
| Circular City, the northern bank area, and the | | | | hotels are within easy reach of almost all |
| eastern bank area. | | | | attractions and facilities of the city. Some hotels |
| Occupying an area of about 40 sq mt is a group | | | | even provide packages inclusive of |
| of mausoleums of 13 Ming emperors as well as | | | | accommodation, dining, and facilities for |
| their empresses, which are collectively referred to | | | | sightseeing. |