Guide Note

Beijing is the capital of China and host of the 2008 Summer Olympics. Some of Beijing's well-known attractions are the Great Wall of China, the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square.

Fast Facts

1. Country: China
2. Mayor: Guo Jinlong
3. Language spoken: Mandarin
4. Population: 16,330,000¹ (2007)
5. Currency: Chinese yuan
6. Country code: 86
7. City code: 10
8. Time zone: CST

1. The Great Wall of China: This impressive site is northwest of Beijing, and most easily accessible from Ba Da Ling and Juyong Guan²
2. The Forbidden City: China's "best preserved" imperial architecture³
3. Temple of Heaven: Site of religious rites performed to gain blessings from Heaven, this temple and its surrounding park are south of the Forbidden City⁴
4. Tiananmen Square: The world's largest public square³
5. The Summer Palace: An elaborate palace alongside Kunming Lake⁵
6. Lama Temple: An active Buddhist temple
7. Ming Tombs: Burial site of 13 Ming emperors, located about 30 miles northwest of the city⁶

Frommer's lists four self-guided walking tours through Beijing. Their second walking tour begins at the "Back Lakes area," which includes Qian Hai, Hou Hai and Xi Hai. These are all lakes that were once used in transporting grain to the Forbidden City.

After visiting the areas surrounding the lakes, Frommer's suggests seeing the former palace of Soong Ching-ling and the Buddhist temple of Guanghua Si.

The tour ends after a visit to Prince Gong's Mansion and the residence of Mei Lanfang, "Beijing opera's most eminent star."⁷

While planning your trip, please see our pages on a Beijing Vacation, Beijing Hotels and Beijing Restaurants.