Top 10 Things to See in Beijing

The Forbidden City is a must, a vast stunning complex, home to emperors for nearly 500 years. Stroll down the marble avenue carved with dragons, marvel at the bridges over Golden Water and allow plenty of time to wander through palaces and gardens.

• Forbidden City Travel Guide
• Forbidden City Photos
• Forbidden City Maps
• Forbidden City Tours

The centre of the city and most important landmark is Tiananmen Square in central Beijing. This is the world's largest public square and a must see for all visitors from abroad and from elsewhere in China.

• Tiananmen Square Travel Guide
• Tiananmen Square Photos
• Tiananmen Square Maps
• Tiananmen Square Tours

Hutongs are narrow, ancient alleyways shaded by traditional Chinese residences, and are becoming endangered as they're continuously destroyed to make way for bigger roads. An excellent way to get a taste of local life is to rent a bike and navigate the remaining intricate paths, or hop a rickshaw and have the driver serve as your tour guide.

• Beijing Hutong Travel Guide
• Beijing Hutong Photos
• Beijing Hutong Maps
• Beijing Hutong Tours

Shichahai is a famous scenic area that includes three lakes (Qian Hai, meaning Front Sea; Hou Hai, meaning Back Sea and Xi Hai, meaning Western Sea), surrounding places of historic interest and scenic beauty, and remnants of old-style Beijing residences, Hutong and Courtyard. Now, it is always a good place for local Beijingers'recreational life.

• Shichahai Travel Guide
• Shichahai Photos
• Shichahai Maps
• Shichahai Tours

Take a look at the National Stadium built for the 2008 Olympics. Known as the bird's nest, Beijing's Olympic Stadium was inspired by a study of Chinese ceramics and is said to symbolise hope for the future. The National Aquatic Centre, or Water Cube, is also worth seeing.

• Olympic Sites Travel Guide
• Olympic Sites Photos
• Olympic Sites Maps
• Olympic Sites Tours

The Temple of Heaven is one of the best examples of religious architecture in China. The sprawling, tree-filled complex is a pleasant place for wandering: watch locals practicing martial arts, playing traditional instruments, and enjoying ballroom dancing on the grass.

• Temple of Heaven Travel Guide
• Temple of Heaven Photos
• Temple of Heaven Maps
• Temple of Heaven Tours

Spend a relaxing afternoon in the grounds of the Summer Palace with its glistening lake, pavilions and temples. Look out for the Marble Boat, the Long Corridor, claiming over 14000 paintings, and the Tower of Fragrance on Longevity Hill.

• Summer Palace Travel Guide
• Summer Palace Photos
• Summer Palace Maps
• Summer Palace Tours

You won't see any pandas aimlessly roaming the streets of the bustling capital. Instead, head to the Beijing Zoo to find all your cuddly bear pals (who are, not surprisingly, the park's most popular residents). The zoo also houses both cultivated flower gardens and more than 600 species of animals, including many rare and wild creatures unique to China. If you want to actually hug one of China's unofficial furry mascots, you'll have to head southwest to Wolong Natural Reserve to fulfill your dream.

• Beijing Zoo Travel Guide
• Beijing Zoo Photos
• Beijing Zoo Maps
• Beijing Zoo Tours

If you are in a rush, you can get the most out of your visit to Beijing by hiking one of the sections of the Great Wall. The Great Wall snaking across Beijing in its northern part is about 600 kilometers long. Along the total length of the Great Wall around Beijing, there are major eight sections including Badaling, Juyongguan, Huanghuacheng, Jiankou, Mutianyu, Gubeikou, Jinshanling, and Simatai.

• Great Wall Travel Guide
• Great Wall Photos
• Great Wall Maps
• Great Wall Tours

If you are in a rush, you can get the most out of your visit to Beijing by hiking one of the sections of the Great Wall. The Great Wall snaking across Beijing in its northern part is about 600 kilometers long. Along the total length of the Great Wall around Beijing, there are major eight sections including Badaling, Juyongguan, Huanghuacheng, Jiankou, Mutianyu, Gubeikou, Jinshanling, and Simatai.

• Ming Tombs Travel Guide
• Ming Tombs Photos
• Ming Tombs Maps
• Ming Tombs Tours