China
Beijing
Activities
Activities in Beijing
Back Lakes (Hou Hai)
This area of Beijing contains some of the most extensive old hutong neighborhoods and the three lakes of Xihai, Houhai and Oianhai.
More Information
Hutongs
Dating back about one thousand years, these neighborhoods of narrow, twisting streets represent the “real life” of Beijing, where passageways connect to courtyards of traditional compact homes. Pedicab tours of the hutongs are popular tourist attractions that normally include the Drum Tower, courtyard neighborhoods and Prince Gong's mansion.
More Information
Zhang Laffitte
Modeled after France's 17th-century Château Maison-Laffitte, this Chinese replica includes a hotel, spa and wine museum.
More Information
Panjiayuan Market (Dirt Market)
Open on the weekends only, this colorful and fascinating market offers a huge assortment of antiques and oddities by more than 3,000 registered stallholders.
More Information
Dong Hua Men Night Market
Dozens of food stalls with screaming vendors characterize this noisy street market, which offers everything from fish and roasted meats to vegetables and noodles.
More Information
Forbidden City (Imperial Palace)
Consisting of more than 9,000 rooms and spread over 250 acres, this huge palace complex was built in the 15th century and later extensively renovated and restored during the Qing Dynasty in the 18th century.
More Information
Jingshan Park (Yingshan Gongyuan)
Located on the highest point in Beijing City, this park was built in 1179 during the Jin Dynasty and today provides visitors with sweeping views of the Forbidden City located below.
More Information
Tiananmen Square (Tiananmen Guangchang)
Located in the heart of modern China and the site for massive parades and rallies, this was the site when in 1949, from a rostrum on the Gate of Heavenly Peace, Chairman Mao announced the establishment of the People's Republic of China.
More Information
Summer Palace (Yiheyuan)
Once a summer retreat for emperors, this 290-acre park is still a retreat for the crowd-weary tourist, who can relax here or stroll around ancient pavilions, mansions, temples, bridges and huge lake, stopping occasionally at a shop or tea-house.
More Information
Chairman Mao Memorial Hall (Maozhuxi Jiniantang)
The remains of one of China’s most famous rulers, Chairman Mao, rest in this simple mausoleum, which features 44 granite columns and glazed yellow trim.
More Information
Friendship Store
This huge store sells a wide range of traditional Chinese goods and handicrafts including watercolor paintings, cashmere clothing, porcelain, jade, rugs and traditional Chinese medicine.
More Information
Ghost Street (Gui Jie)
Lined with billowing red lanterns, this busy all-night food boulevard stretches more than a mile-and-a-quarter and is lined with more than 100 restaurants featuring local cuisines from the different provinces.
More Information
