Beijing, the capital of the People’s Republic of China, has a grand and elaborate history of three millennia. It is a spectacle to the world, in that it effortlessly merges the Chinese interest of constant development and modernity while also prizing their tradition, culture, and heritage as inherited to the people of Beijing by its ancestors. Rediscover your city from the eyes of someone who has never seen the city before and you’ll be amazed at the things you unveil and encounter. By Shubhanjana Das
1. The Imperial palace and the Forbidden City
What else could be our #1 anyway if not the Forbidden City, which has roused the whole world’s interest? Tracing its legacy back to the Yuan dynasty in the 13th Century, the Forbidden City earned its name due to the fact that it was forbidden to ordinary citizens. It has been home to 24 Ming and Qing emperors in a 720,000 square meters complex.
2. The Great Wall of China
The poster card for everything that exemplifies the Chinese spirit — strength, endurance, and patience is embodied in the country’s most famous historic monument. The Great Wall of China consists mainly of eight sections and is marvelously maintained and preserved. Get ready with your hat and great footwear to walk the historic Great Wall of China. Don’t forget your cameras for you will be hosted by majestic views on all sides.
3. Tiananmen Square
The Square of Heavenly Peace or the Tiananmen Square is the world’s largest inter-city square. The center of communist China, this square was built in 1958 to commemorate 10 years of the Chinese Republic. Tiananmen Square boasts of a 38-meter tall obelisk consisting of 17,000 pieces of granite and marble built as a tribute to the People’s Heroes (Rénmín Yingxióng Jìniànbei) as well as the magnanimous Tiananmen Gate, which used to be the entrance to the Imperial City.
4. The Summer Palace
Move away by half an hour from Beijing’s bustling center and you will find yourself at the haven of peace and tranquility at The Summer Palace. Along with a 700-year old man-made lake, this 12th century architectural spectacle occupies a vast 700 acres in size. It has a 19th-century theatre where you can catch traditional Chinese music and dance performances. Other things to see at The Palace (Yíhé Yuán) are: the western-styled “Marble Ship” (Shifang); the Hall of Well-being and Longevity (Renshou Dian), and the courtyard adjacent to the Hall of Happiness and Longevity (Leshou Tang Hall).
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