Things to do in Beijing
Many of Beijing's top attractions are clustered around the city centre, where Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City loom large. Head south to Chongwen district and the Temple of Heaven. Five kilometres north, the Chaoyang district is the place to take Olympic Bike Tours of the 'Bird's Nest' Stadium. It is also home to the Dashanzi art district with hundreds of galleries, while the enormous Summer Palace is in the northwest.
Museums and Galleries
Expand all1. Chairman Mao's Mausoleum - Communist leader's resting place
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Visitors sometimes think that seeing 'waxy Mao', who was embalmed against his own wishes, will be a kitsch experience. Whatever your thoughts on the great helmsman, there's still an atmosphere of serious reverence surrounding Chairman Mao's Mausoleum on Tiananmen Square.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Cost
Free
Opening Hours
Tue-Sun 8am-12pm
Address
South end of Tiananmen Square, Beijing
Telephone
+86 (0) 10 6512 0909
Transport
Taxi; Metro Tiananmen West or Tiananmen East
2. National Art Museum of China - Classic Chinese art
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The National Art Museum of China in Dongcheng shows traditional Chinese art exhibitions and contemporary art shows. Not as edgy as the art in the Factory 798 art complex, the museum enjoys regular good collections from big-name artists.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Cost
RMB20
Opening Hours
Daily 9am-5pm (last entry 4pm)
Address
1, Wusi Dajie, Dongcheng district, Beijing 100010
Telephone
+86 (0) 10 8403 3500
3. Factory 798 - Art galleries galore
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This vast collection of galleries and cafés in the Chaoyang district is well worth the long taxi ride. In a Soviet-designed former weapons factory, Factory 798 is the centre of China's modern art scene. Purchase a map when you arrive.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Cost
Free
Opening Hours
Daily 10.30am-7.30pm
Address
North of Dashanzi Huandao, Chaoyang district, Beijing
Telephone
+86 (0) 10 6437 6248
Attractions
Expand all4. Lama Temple - Historical and serene temple
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This tranquil venue in Houhai began as an imperial lamasery for the 'yellow hat' Lama sect of Buddhism. Around 70 monks still reside at Lama Temple. The Wanfu pavilion houses the world's largest carving from a single piece of wood.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Cost
RMB25
Opening Hours
Daily 9am-4pm (4.30pm in summer)
Address
12, Yonghegong Dajie (just inside the North Second Ring Road, next to Yonghegong metro station), Dongcheng district, Beijing
Telephone
+86 (0) 10 6404 4499
5. Prince Gong's Mansion - Beautiful Imperial mansion
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Formerly occupied by Guangxu emperor's son Prince Gong, this impressive Imperial mansion in Xicheng has a fascinating history. A labyrinth of pavilions and rockeries, Prince Gong's Mansion also hosts short performances of acrobatics.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Cost
RMB40; RMB70 (including acrobatics)
Opening Hours
Daily 8am-4pm
Address
17, Qianhai Xijie, Xicheng district, Beijing
Telephone
+86 (0) 10 8328 8149
6. Temple of Heaven - Heavenly escape
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The biggest temple in China is set in a tranquil 273 hectare park. Temple of Heaven in Chongwenmen is a gargantuan complex of interconnected buildings. Built in 1420, it was designed as somewhere for monarchs to pray for good harvests.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Cost
RMB30
Opening Hours
Daily 8am-6pm (until 5pm in winter and 5.30pm in spring)
Address
Yongdingmen Donjie, Chongwenmen district, Beijing
Telephone
+86 (0) 10 6702 8866
7. Tiananmen Square - History-making square
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Tiananmen, in the centre of Beijing, is an attraction in itself. The world's largest square may not be beautiful, but it is where Mao founded the People's Republic in 1949 and where hundreds were massacred 40 years later.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Cost
Free
Opening Hours
Daily all day
Address
Tiananmen Square, Dongcheng district, Beijing
Transport
Taxi; Metro Tiananmen
8. Beijing Zoo - Pandas and golden monkeys
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Beijing Zoo in Dongcheng is known for its outstanding giant panda enclosure and its collection of rare golden monkeys. The zoo has upgraded its facilities making the giant panda compound one of the best in the world.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Cost
RMB10
Opening Hours
Daily 7.30am-5pm
Address
137, Xizhimenwei Dajie, Haidian district, Beijing
Telephone
+86 (0) 10 6831 5131
9. Forbidden City - Magnificent Chinese palace
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Despite occasional scaffolding, the central Forbidden City is still China's most important, and arguably spectacular, tourist sight. It's vast and today houses the Palace Museum. Visit the artefact-filled East and West Galleries and the Treasure Gallery, often missed by tourists.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Cost
RMB40 (1 Nov-31 Mar); RMB60 (1 Apr-31 Oct)
Opening Hours
Daily 8.30am-5pm (until 4.30pm 1 Nov-31 Mar)
Address
4, Jingshan Qianjie, Beijing 100009
Telephone
+86 (0) 10 6513 2255
10. Summer Palace - Exquisite Qing dynasty palace
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This exquisite palace in Haidian is set at the foot of the Western Hills, surrounded by Kunming Lake. The Summer Palace features some of Beijing's most beautiful Qing dynasty architecture, which can also be seen by climbing nearby Longevity Hill.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Cost
RMB20-RMB30; concessions RMB10-RMB15
Opening Hours
Apr-Oct 6.30am-6pm; Nov-Mar 7am-5pm
Address
Yiheyuan Lu, Haidian district, Beijing
Telephone
+86 (0) 10 6288 1144
11. Chinese Ethnic Culture Park - Gardens of cultural minorities
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This striking north Beijing attraction features 55 village gardens designed in the folk styles of 55 Chinese ethnic groups. Performances are held nearly every day and there are regular festivals, like the Dai people's Water-Splashing Festival in July and August.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Cost
RMB90; children RMB30
Opening Hours
Daily 8.30am-4.50pm
Address
1, Minzuyuan Lu, Chaoyang district, Beijing
Telephone
+86 (0) 10 6206 3647
Special Things to do
Expand all12. Hutong Tour - Glimpse of old Beijing
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Beijing's fast-disappearing hutongs - tight, labyrinth alleyways lined with courtyard houses - are a must-see. Take a Hutong Tour by pedicab from Houhai Lake in Dongcheng around some of Beijing's most beautiful remaining houses.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Cost
Approx RMB25 (negotiable)
Opening Hours
Daily all day
Address
Around Qianhai Beiyan on Houhai Lake, Dongcheng district, Beijing
Transport
Taxi to Houhai Lake
13. Skiing at Nanshan - Ski in China
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Skiing at Nanshan, the biggest ski area in north China, with 12 pistes and the country's first snowboard park, is one for winter sports enthusiasts. Under 64km from Beijing, in summer the resort offers water-skiing, grass skiing and gliding.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Cost
Mon-Fri RMB130; Sat & Sun RMB210 (one day ski pass)
Opening Hours
Daily 9am-5.30pm
Address
Nanshan, South Miyun County, Beijing
Telephone
+86 (0) 10 8909 1909
Transport
Coach from central Beijing
14. Olympic Bike Tours - Cycling Olympic Beijing
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The 'Bird's Nest' Olympic Stadium is, if nothing else, a stunning piece of architecture. Cycle China does Olympic Bike Tours which also take in the old neighbourhoods and hutongs of Dongcheng.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Cost
RMB400 (does not include tickets for the Bird's Nest)
Opening Hours
Daily 9am-5pm
Address
12, Jingshan Dongjie (opposite the east gate of Jingshan Park), Dongcheng district, Beijing
Telephone
+86 (0) 10 6402 5653
