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Beijing City Tour

To really experience Beijing you need to get out onto the streets. It is worth walking to a few places, as you can miss out if you see everything through a bus or car window.

The Forbidden City is one of the most fascinating places in Beijing and is well worth a visit. You may also wish to relax in one of Beijing’s many parks. Jingshan Park, overlooking the Forbidden City, is a pleasure garden that offers a spectacular view of Beijing.

Northwest of the Forbidden City is Beihai Park, associated in the past with the court of Kublai Khan. It was originally the former playground of the emperors who liked to pass their time fishing, camping and singing songs around campfires. The park is still a relaxing area with a number of small eateries to investigate. Most parks charge a modest entrance fee.

We also recommend a visit to one of the remaining hutong residential districts. Though fast being consumed by the relentless pace of development in Beijing, there are still a few hutongs remaining in areas protected as heritage sites for posterity, and a stroll through the narrow streets offers a glimpse of a different world.

The area near to the Dashilan District to the south of Tiananmen Square is easily accessible by foot; the nearest subway station is Qianmen.

The area north of Beihai park is also charming, and contains the delightful, but crowded, Prince Gong’s Garden.

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Other experiences in Beijing

These activities are designed to give you the most authentic experiences around where you're staying. We work with local guides, who use their knowledge and often a resident's eye to show you the main sights and more out-of-the-way attractions. Our specialists can suggest tours and activities that will introduce you to the local ways of life.

  • Beijing's Hutongs
    Quiet Hutong, Beijing

    Beijing's Hutongs

    Beijing's Hutongs

    Take a tricycle tour of Beijing’s unique and famous Hutongs, a maze of old narrow backstreets found in the Changiao area of the Western District.

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  • Summer Palace
    The Summer Palace, Beijing

    Summer Palace

    Summer Palace

    Located in the Haidian district in the north of Beijing, the Palace is a classical imperial garden embracing beautiful landscaped hills and lakes.

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  • Temple of Heaven
    Temple of Heaven, Beijing, China

    Temple of Heaven

    Temple of Heaven

    For a different insight into Chinese religion and history, a popular place to visit is the Temple of Heaven.

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  • The Great Wall at Jinshanling
    The Great Wall, Beijing

    The Great Wall at Jinshanling

    The Great Wall at Jinshanling

    Stretching for over 6,000 km to the Gobi Desert in the far west, the Great Wall remains one of the world’s true must-see sights.

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  • The Legend of Kung Fu Performance
    Young monks practising their moves, Shaolin

    The Legend of Kung Fu Performance

    The Legend of Kung Fu Performance

    This exciting piece of theater comprises a number of spectacular and highly skilled Kung Fu demonstrations, following the story of a young Shaolin Monk as he trains in the discipline.

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  • Visit the Forbidden City
    Forbidden City, Beijing

    Visit the Forbidden City

    Visit the Forbidden City

    Closed to the world for over 500 years, and home to emperors from the Ming and Qing Dynasties, the Forbidden City is a truly fascinating place.

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