Most people know the hot places to visit in Beijing: Forbidden City, Great Wall, Summer Palace, etc. I hope to offer some suggestions to visit lesser known places and tips on visiting the popular spots.
Visiting Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City (“Gugong”)- -Here’s how I suggest to maximize the visit: 1) Go to Tiananmen, 2) Walk underneath Changan Boulevard to Mao’s picture, 3) Keep walking north to the beginning of the Forbidden City, 4) Pay and go visit the Forbidden City, 5) Exit the Forbidden City’s north gate and cross the street, just to the left is an underground cross way, 6) Pay for admittance to the park you are now in front of (Jingshan Park), 7) Climb to the very top pagoda of the park and admire the spectacular view of the Forbidden City before you and Beihai Park to the west, and 8) Climb down to the bottom along the park’s east ridge and you will see the spot where the last emperor of the Ming Dynasty hanged himself.
Yonghegong Lama Temple- -This is one of the few operable temples in China. It is smaller than the Forbidden City and Temple of Heaven, but is worth examining. There are 60 monks of the Tibetan Lama order residing in and maintaining the temple. Across the street from the Temple are a few Buddhist shops. However, a bit further down the little alley on the left is an artist shop with intriguing sculpture. Yonghegong is north of Ciao Ciao Gelato so I recommend a few scoops after enjoying this place.
Great Wall (“Chang Cheng”)- -Unfortunately, one needs to drive all the way to Simatai or Jinshanling (3-4hours) to get away from the crowds at the Great Wall. However, most people choose between Badaling or Mutianyu. I recommend Mutianyu since there are still parts where one can trek off the beaten path. There is a cable car at Mutianyu for those that cannot brave the half hour step climb to get to the wall (never mind the climbing that will be incurred once atop the wall). When you get on the wall, go right...this leads to the fun parts off the beaten path (this is beyond the restaurant one passes along the way). Badaling is a closer drive to the Wall than Mutianyu, especially with the new Badaling expressway opened. However, Badaling is swarming with tourists and cheeziness. I guess if you have major time constraints, do Badaling, but, if possible, do Mutianyu instead.
Summer Palace (“Yi he yuan”)- -Some people don’t realize how close the Summer Palace is to Motorola, it’s only 4 miles away. It is really an awesome site. Climb the top of the highest hill and you will get an incredible view of Kunming Lake with the marble bridge and islands. Walk along the long corridor (1/2 mile long and decorated with paintings).
Fragrant Hills (“Xiang shan”)- -I guess it is obvious I enjoy hiking, well, if you do too, check out the hike up the Fragrant Hills. It takes a person in decent physical shape about 1 hour to climb the top. It is a great feeling of accomplishment and on a clear day will provide incredible views of Beijing as it is situated to Beijing Northwest corner.
Military Museum (“Jun shi bo wu guan”)- -If you want to see the car Mao rode around, an old U2 plane, or other relics from WWII and the Sino Japanese war, this is the place. This museum is located near the Fuxingmen subway stop, about a 20minute drive from Motorola.
Purple Bamboo Park (“Zi zhu yuan”)- -Close to the Shangrila Hotel is the Purple Bamboo Park. It is within walking distance (10 minutes away) and is quite pretty. The park has several lakes and bridges.
Visiting Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City (“Gugong”)- -Here’s how I suggest to maximize the visit: 1) Go to Tiananmen, 2) Walk underneath Changan Boulevard to Mao’s picture, 3) Keep walking north to the beginning of the Forbidden City, 4) Pay and go visit the Forbidden City, 5) Exit the Forbidden City’s north gate and cross the street, just to the left is an underground cross way, 6) Pay for admittance to the park you are now in front of (Jingshan Park), 7) Climb to the very top pagoda of the park and admire the spectacular view of the Forbidden City before you and Beihai Park to the west, and 8) Climb down to the bottom along the park’s east ridge and you will see the spot where the last emperor of the Ming Dynasty hanged himself.
Yonghegong Lama Temple- -This is one of the few operable temples in China. It is smaller than the Forbidden City and Temple of Heaven, but is worth examining. There are 60 monks of the Tibetan Lama order residing in and maintaining the temple. Across the street from the Temple are a few Buddhist shops. However, a bit further down the little alley on the left is an artist shop with intriguing sculpture. Yonghegong is north of Ciao Ciao Gelato so I recommend a few scoops after enjoying this place.
Great Wall (“Chang Cheng”)- -Unfortunately, one needs to drive all the way to Simatai or Jinshanling (3-4hours) to get away from the crowds at the Great Wall. However, most people choose between Badaling or Mutianyu. I recommend Mutianyu since there are still parts where one can trek off the beaten path. There is a cable car at Mutianyu for those that cannot brave the half hour step climb to get to the wall (never mind the climbing that will be incurred once atop the wall). When you get on the wall, go right...this leads to the fun parts off the beaten path (this is beyond the restaurant one passes along the way). Badaling is a closer drive to the Wall than Mutianyu, especially with the new Badaling expressway opened. However, Badaling is swarming with tourists and cheeziness. I guess if you have major time constraints, do Badaling, but, if possible, do Mutianyu instead.
Summer Palace (“Yi he yuan”)- -Some people don’t realize how close the Summer Palace is to Motorola, it’s only 4 miles away. It is really an awesome site. Climb the top of the highest hill and you will get an incredible view of Kunming Lake with the marble bridge and islands. Walk along the long corridor (1/2 mile long and decorated with paintings).
Fragrant Hills (“Xiang shan”)- -I guess it is obvious I enjoy hiking, well, if you do too, check out the hike up the Fragrant Hills. It takes a person in decent physical shape about 1 hour to climb the top. It is a great feeling of accomplishment and on a clear day will provide incredible views of Beijing as it is situated to Beijing Northwest corner.
Military Museum (“Jun shi bo wu guan”)- -If you want to see the car Mao rode around, an old U2 plane, or other relics from WWII and the Sino Japanese war, this is the place. This museum is located near the Fuxingmen subway stop, about a 20minute drive from Motorola.
Purple Bamboo Park (“Zi zhu yuan”)- -Close to the Shangrila Hotel is the Purple Bamboo Park. It is within walking distance (10 minutes away) and is quite pretty. The park has several lakes and bridges.
