Things to do in Beijing: Ancient and modern sites Archives

Yanqing National Alpine Ski Centre

As host of the 2022 Winter Olympics, Beijing has made a significant investment in developing the Yangqing National Alpine Ski Centre. The centre is said to feature one of the steepest courses in the world, with the gradient in some sections as much as 68 degrees. The ski centre is accessible by high speed train […]

798 Art Zone and Songzhuang Art Colony

Acquaint yourself with China’s contemporary artists and art by visiting the now famous 798 Art Zone in Dashanzi, Chaoyang District and Songzhuang Art Colony, located in Beijing’s east Tongzhou District. For the collector and curious alike. Learn the history of how this area has emerged to represent a new face of Chinese art distinctly different […]

Beijing Zoo

While in Beijing, why not make time to observe the extensive range of animals from around the world and China at Beijing Zoo. See charming pandas, a stunning aquarium, and learn about research into rare animals from all over the globe. Beijing Zoo opened in 1906 (during the Qing dynasty), and as such, is the […]

Beijing Capital Museum

While there are many museums throughout China with collections of a comparable size, the Beijing Capital Museum is well known for housing a significant percentage of artefacts that have been unearthed in Beijing itself. Although smaller when compared with other Chinese museums, is distinctive in its own right. It was designed with many traditional Chinese […]

National Museum of China

Located just to the eastern side of Tiananmen Square, the National Museum of China is the country’s preeminent establishment for collections, research, and displays of China’s traditional and contemporary culture. Among the many highlights to be found here are collections focusing on both ancient and modern history. Discover what makes China unique through art with […]

Hutongs

If you have a love for the curious, then a wander down the many winding alleyways of Beijing’s hutongs is an essential activity on your list of things to do in Beijing. Now considered the most expensive real estate in Beijing, narrow alleyways connect the siheyuan (traditional courtyard residences) to each other to form neighborhoods. […]

Confucius Temple and Imperial College Museum

Appreciate the legacy of ancient philosophies amongst the tranquil surroundings of the Confucius Temple, where for centuries scholarship and scholars have been recognized. Confucius Temple is located in Guozijian Street, which is the only street in Beijing that features four ancient memorial archways. A couple of fun facts: Construction on the temple began in 1302 […]

Lama Temple (Yonghe Temple)

Yonghe Temple, also known as the Lama Temple, is a functioning Tibetan Buddhist temple. It has art treasures that have survived many changes to today where you will find it a popular site for locals and visitors alike. The fact the monastery is still operating is all the more remarkable because construction commenced centuries ago […]

Summer Palace

Wonder at the largest and best-preserved imperial garden in China at the Summer Palace. Located approximately 15 kilometers north west of Beijing’s city center, the Summer Palace is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, first built in 1153. The palace garden was the summer retreat for emperors, concubines and, most notably, the Empress Dowager Cixi. After […]

Temple of Heaven

Find the Temple of Heaven located in close proximity to the Forbidden City, and you’ll quickly realize that ‘grandeur for good’ could well be the theme that was front of mind during its planning and construction. Temple of Heaven is in fact a royal site used by emperors to worship heaven in the hope it […]