Top 20 Attractions in Beijing With Map

The Forbidden City, also called the Palace Museum, is right in the center of Beijing, just 1 km north of Tiananmen Square, facing Jingshan Park. It was the imperial palace for 24 emperors during the Ming and Qing dynasties and is now one of China’s most famous cultural landmarks. The whole complex is surrounded by a moat and a massive city wall that’s about 3 km long and nearly 10 meters high. There are four main gates: Meridian Gate in the south, Shenwu Gate in the north, East Prosperity Gate, and West Prosperity Gate. At each corner, you’ll notice four beautifully designed watchtowers, which are known for their intricate architecture.

Inside, the palace is divided into two main sections. The southern part, known as the Outer Court, was used for grand ceremonies and government affairs. The northern part, the Inner Court, was the living area for the emperor and his family. The buildings are arranged along a central axis, reflecting traditional Chinese architectural symmetry. At the very back, there is a beautiful Imperial Garden where the royal family used to relax.

The National Museum of China showcases the country’s precious cultural relics in chronological order from the ground floor up. The most impressive exhibition is Ancient China, located on the basement level. Here, you’ll find many famous artifacts that often appear on history book covers, such as the Four-goat Square Zun and the Houmuwu Ding, both considered national treasures.

If you’re interested in modern Chinese history, head to the first floor, where the central hall displays a large collection of fine art. One of the most well-known pieces here is the oil painting “The Founding Ceremony of the Nation”, which many Chinese people recognize instantly. Apart from these, the museum also has permanent exhibitions featuring bronze ware, jade artifacts, ancient coins, porcelain, Buddhist statues, and much more.

Located in the southern part of Beijing, the Temple of Heaven was where emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties held ceremonies to worship the heavens and pray for a good harvest. The complex consists of two main sections: the Circular Mound Altar (圜丘) and the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests (祈谷), both enclosed by double-layered walls forming a square layout.

A unique feature of the Temple of Heaven is its wall design, which reflects the ancient Chinese belief in a round heaven and square earth. The northern wall is curved, while the southern wall is straight, symbolizing this cosmic concept. The outer wall has no gates on the east, south, or north sides, with only two large gates on the west. The inner wall, however, features four gates in all directions.

The Summer Palace, located in the western suburbs of Beijing, is China’s finest classical garden and a masterpiece of traditional landscape design. Covering an area of about 290 hectares, it is mainly composed of Longevity Hill and Kunming Lake.

The palace is divided into three sections: The Political Area, centered around Renshou Hall, where emperors handled state affairs; The Residential Area, featuring Yulan Hall and Leshou Hall, where the emperor and empress lived; and The Scenic Area, dominated by Longevity Hill and Kunming Lake, offering stunning natural landscapes and historical architecture.

Beihai Park is one of the oldest and best-preserved imperial gardens in China. Its most famous landmark is the White Dagoba, standing on top of the hill, offering a great view of the park. Unlike most places in Beijing, Beihai Park features a vast lake, making it a rare sight in the city. The garden design combines the gracefulness of southern Chinese landscapes with the grandeur of northern architecture, creating a unique and harmonious setting.

Beihai Park is also known for its seasonal flower exhibitions: March – May: Spring flower season; July – August: Lotus flower exhibition; and October – November: Chrysanthemum exhibition

The Drum Tower and Bell Tower are located on Beijing’s central axis, just outside Di’anmen Street. During the Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties, they served as the city’s timekeeping center. Since 1990, the tradition of ringing the bell and beating the drum has been revived on Chinese New Year’s Eve and the first day of the Lunar New Year.

From the Drum Tower, you get a fantastic view of the lively Houhai area and the bustling Di’anmen Street. Climbing up the Bell Tower, you can see the Beijing central axis, and on clear days, you can even spot the Bird’s Nest and Water Cube in the distance. Surrounding the towers, you’ll find well-preserved hutongs, where traditional courtyard houses line the streets. Look up, and you might see flocks of pigeons with whistles tied to their tails, a classic Beijing sight!

Located on the south side of Chang’an Avenue, along Beijing’s traditional central axis, Tiananmen Square is the largest public square in the world. At the center stands the Monument to the People’s Heroes, and if you continue south, you will pass through Chairman Mao Memorial Hall before reaching Zhengyangmen, also known as Qianmen. On the west side of the square is the Great Hall of the People, while the east side houses the National Museum of China. Just across Chang’an Avenue to the north, you’ll find Tiananmen Gate Tower, with the Golden Water River shimmering beneath it.

Every morning and evening, the square hosts a flag-raising and lowering ceremony, a solemn and grand event. For first-time visitors to Beijing, watching the national flag rise with the sunrise is a must-see experience

Yonghe Temple is located on the North Second Ring Road, south of the Temple of Earth. It is the largest and best-preserved Lamaist Yellow Sect temple in Beijing. The temple is constantly filled with incense throughout the year, and every New Year’s Day, people eagerly compete for the first incense offering of the year. Yonghe Temple is home to many Tibetan monks who engage in religious activities, all of whom come from Tibet.

The Confucian Temple and Imperial Academy are to the west, while Yonghe Temple lies to the east, just one street apart. It’s recommended to plan your visit to include these sites for a more comprehensive experience.

Imperial Academy was the highest administrative institution for managing education during the Yuan, Ming, and Qing Dynasties and was home to the highest academic institution in the country. The Confucian Temple in Beijing is part of the Imperial Academy. It served as the place where emperors conducted the annual Confucius sacrificial rites.

Prince Gong’s Mansion, once the residence of Heshen, is the most well-preserved Qing Dynasty royal mansion in Beijing. The mansion is divided into three main sections: Middle, East, and West, each made up of multiple courtyards, with a two-story rear building that stretches 160 meters in length. The Middle Route houses three main buildings: the Main Hall, Rear Hall, and Extended Building. The East and West Routes each contain three courtyards that complement the central area. The final section is a beautiful garden with over 20 scenic spots, each offering a unique feature to admire.

The National Stadium, also known as the “Bird’s Nest”, is located south of the Olympic Park on Beijing’s North 4th Ring Road. Covering an area of approximately 260,000 square meters, it can accommodate up to 100,000 spectators. The stadium hosted the athletics and football events during the 2008 Beijing Olympics, as well as the Opening and Closing Ceremonies. After the Olympics, the stadium has become a popular venue for sports activities and entertainment in Beijing, offering both professional sports events and leisure activities for the public.

Located in Chaoyang District, 798 Art District is just 16 km from the Beijing Capital Airport. Originally a factory complex from the 1950s, it became a cultural hub after the Bauhaus-style factories attracted artists. The area has transformed into a multifunctional cultural space, combining galleries, art studios, cultural organizations, bars, and shops. Over time, it has evolved into one of Beijing’s most vibrant places for contemporary art, fostering creativity and modern cultural expression.

Located in the southern part of Yanqing County, Badaling is around 80 km northwest of Beijing. It is the best-preserved section of the Great Wall from the Ming Dynasty and the most popular among tourists visiting Beijing. The wall stretches for 3,741 meters at an elevation of 1,015 meters, making it a strategic and historically significant site for military battles.

In addition to the remnants of the wall and the ancient city of Chadao, the Badaling Scenic Area features the China Great Wall Museum and the Great Wall 360-degree cinema. The museum, dedicated to the Great Wall, offers an in-depth look at its history, military significance, architecture, economics, and cultural impact. The 360-degree cinema nearby continuously shows a 17-minute documentary titled “The Great Wall.”

Juyongguan, often called the “first strong pass in the world”, is located 10 km south of Badaling along the northern section of the Beijing Great Wall, and 55 km from Guanting Reservoir.

The existing Juyongguan Fort was originally built during the Ming Dynasty, but most of the structures were rebuilt after the Qing Dynasty. It’s a quieter spot compared to Badaling. One of its most famous features is the Yuntai, a large lama tower from the Yuan Dynasty. This tower is the oldest and largest overpass tower still in existence in China.

Mutianyu is located about 80 km from downtown Beijing, connecting the Juyongguan Pass in the west and the Gubeikou in the east. The Great Wall here is known for its steep cliffs, which are ingeniously integrated into the natural landscape. The fortifications feature double-faced battlements, with both inner and outer support walls, making it a unique section of the Great Wall.

The elevation here rises sharply from 486 meters to 1,039 meters, offering stunning views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. The area is also equipped with a cable car and a slideway for easy access to the top. At the foot of the mountain, Mutianyu Village, which offers convenient accommodation and dining options, making it an ideal spot for a comfortable stay. Autumn is considered the best season to visit, when the weather is pleasant and the scenery is breathtaking.

Huanghuacheng Water Great Wall is located in Jiuduhe in the Huairou District, about 30 km from Huairou Town. The area is famous for its scenic beauty, where the Great Wall meets the water, creating a stunning mountain and water landscape. The name Huanghuacheng comes from the yellow flowers that cover the mountains during the summer, adding to the charm of the place. This scenic area is perfect for family trips, with signs clearly marking no climbing zones on the Wall.

The Simatai Great Wall is less famous than Badaling, but it is renowned for its dangerous terrain and is considered one of the most challenging and scenic sections of the Great Wall. This section, which stretches over 19 km, is the only wild Great Wall from the Ming Dynasty and is split into two parts by the Simatai Reservoir.

Upon entering the scenic area, visitors can take the cable car up to the Wall. Before reaching the watchtowers, there is a 1,200-meter walking trail that offers panoramic views of the reservoir and the water town. The first five watchtowers are enclosed, but from the sixth tower onward, the fortifications become more primitive, with only steps leading up to the next tower. From the cable car, you can view the rugged, winding, and steep sections of the Wall.

The Jinshanling Great Wall is located on the border of Miyun County (Beijing) and Luanping County (Hebei), approximately 130 km from Beijing and 91 km from Chengde. It is adjacent to the Simatai Great Wall and stretches over 10.5 km, with a highly dense network of watchtowers. The distance between some of the watchtowers is as short as 60 meters, making this section the most compact and well-preserved stretch of the Great Wall.

This section is ideal for hiking, as there are fewer tourists and relatively easy terrain compared to other parts of the Wall. The best times to visit are early morning or late afternoon, when the views are most dramatic. During the summer and autumn, the Wall is often shrouded in clouds and mist, creating an ethereal atmosphere, and sometimes rainbows appear after rainfall.

Located on the western outskirts of Beijing, Xiangshan Park features Xianglu Peak, known as “Ghost’s Worry”, with an elevation of 557 meters. The park is home to many cultural relics and historic sites, such as the Biyun Temple, which blends Ming and Qing architectural styles, and the five-hundred golden-coated “Arhats” unique to the region. The park also contains the Zongjing Dazhao Temple, a residence for the Sixth Panchen Lama, and the elegant Jianxin Studio, a courtyard with a distinct southern Chinese architectural style.

Xiangshan is world-famous for its autumn foliage. In 1986, it was named one of the “New Sixteen Scenic Views of Beijing”. During late autumn (mid-October to mid-November), the park attracts thousands of visitors from around the world who gather to enjoy the stunning autumn colors.

The Ming Tombs are the burial grounds of 13 emperors from the Ming Dynasty, located near Beijing. These tombs serve as a royal necropolis, and currently, four sections are open to visitors: Changling, Zhaoling, Dingling, and the Sacred Road. While the tombs themselves are intriguing, the Dingling Tomb is the only one that has been fully excavated, allowing visitors to walk through its underground chambers and learn about the royal burial practices of the Ming Dynasty with the guidance of a tour guide. The Changling Tomb, the largest and the resting place of Emperor Yongle (Zhu Di), is the most significant among the tombs, with a museum housing a variety of unearthed burial artifacts, including a phoenix crown, ceremonial hats for officials, men’s jade belts, and hairpins, all worth seeing. For a more peaceful experience, walking along the Sacred Road, lined with vivid stone statues, or enjoying the tranquil surroundings of Zhaoling Tomb – less crowded and perfect for a quiet stroll – will offer a deeper connection to the ancient history of China’s imperial past.