Beijing where to go in 7 days. What to see in Beijing: vivid impressions of walking
Don't know where to go when you arrive in Beijing? The mass of sites, blogs and, eventually, guidebooks offers an almost immense variety of places and establishments. Below you will find a list and short description places of very different orientations, where you can have a beautiful, informative, unusual, fun and just have a good time.
Everyone knows that Beijing is a big city, very big indeed. Moreover, it is the capital ancient state, which to this day surprises the whole world with the pace of its development, the aura of originality and the presence of tough positions on certain issues. From all this, the conclusion immediately suggests itself that in the capital of such a state there is certainly something to occupy your sophisticated soul and body that requires activity.
In Beijing, there is entertainment for absolutely everyone: neither age, nor gender, nor preferences in the way of spending leisure time will become an obstacle here. Beijing is full of ancient cultural and historical monuments - for connoisseurs historical heritage; there are a lot of places of entertainment - for dancing and singing; for lovers of long walks and contemplation, Beijing will offer a fair amount of vast parks, each of which is not like the other; in this city, of course, there is a colossal number of shops, boutiques, markets for any wallet and capable of satisfying the needs of the most selective buyers; in Beijing, no one will be left hungry - be it an omnivorous student or the most sophisticated gourmet, because there are all kinds of restaurants, coffee houses, bakeries, cafes, eateries and a host of establishments of this kind at every turn (whatever one may say, there is a cult of food in China).
Of course, everyone has their own requests for spending time in a new (and importantly big) city due to differences in interests and priorities. Therefore, below are the places that seemed to me the most worthy of attention in this metropolis. The list is not binding and is for informational purposes only.
1. Let's talk about. As many may know, China is a land of parks. All of them are huge in area, extremely colorful (if it is not winter, of course), there you will most likely meet a pond (or maybe two), a lot of people who enjoy life among such beauty and harmony. So in Beijing there are also quite a few such parks, and they all have their own characteristics.
Beihai Park
Beihai Park is remembered for the incredible beauty of carps in its many small ponds and stunning weeping willows along the entire shore of a huge reservoir in the center of the park. Walking here is a pleasure, because the area of the park allows a very large number of people to be there at the same time. It becomes especially beautiful there in autumn, when the foliage begins to change color, and a riot of autumn colors blooms around you. All this is worthy of admiration and photo frames to keep a piece of this beauty as a keepsake. Entrance to the park will cost you 5-10 yuan depending on the season.
Yiheyuan (颐和园)
The park, known to all sinologists and sinologists, at least from textbooks on the Chinese language and history, because it is (for a moment) the former summer residence emperors of the Qing dynasty (!) on the outskirts of Beijing. To get here from the center of a truly vast city, you need to spend a lot of time, but it's definitely worth it. The park is huge, so be prepared to spend a good part of the day walking through it. But do not spare this time: here, surrounded by ancient buildings - stone gates, painted arbors and reservoirs framed by dense willows - time will stop, and you will be happy to get lost on the many narrow paths among the same inspired visitors. You will need to pay 20-30 yuan for the entrance ticket.
Houhai Park (后海公园)
It’s quite interesting to come to Houhai Park in the evening, when all the numerous establishments: bars, restaurants, souvenir shops (with unusual souvenirs like T-shirts and belts glowing in the dark and shimmering with colored lights) light up all their rich illumination, visitors come in expensive, sports cars and around the pond (where without it) the lights also light up, adding a little mystery to the whole environment. Another good news is that admission to the park is free.
Botanical Garden
Pro Botanical Garden I want to talk separately and a lot. 植物园 in Chinese is no less chic since the month of May, when all the most incredible plants begin a festival of color and aroma. Tulips, sakuras, cypresses, daffodils and many other absolutely unknown flowers, shrubs and trees are waiting for all visitors to the garden, which is also quite far from the center, because it occupies an impressive area. It is quite possible to stay here for the whole day in order to fully enjoy the beauties, slowly go around the entire park, and then relax, contemplating the beauty and basking in the sun, by a small pond (which has found its place here too). In order to experience all this aesthetic pleasure for yourself, you will have to pay from 10 to 50 yuan to the cashier (it all depends on whether you want to visit a large greenhouse and a monastery with a reclining Buddha or not).
2. For fans of all kinds of historical monuments, buildings of cultural value (sometimes even world-class) in Beijing, there are at least two places worthy of your attention and are standardly described in all guidebooks.
Temple of Heaven (天坛)
So first, 天坛 or Temple of Heaven. The Temple itself is eerily beautiful in its bright blue with gold, red and green painting. It is especially pleasant to admire them on a clear, sunny day, when the “dome” of the temple is clearly loomed against the backdrop of the blue sky and majestically rises above the other buildings of the complex, since in addition to the temple of the sky you pay 10-30 yuan for again the immense park with stone gates and the same painted traditionally Chinese roofs, quite wide paths between thick, majestic trees, in the graters of the gaps. It is quite possible to hide from the scorching sun.
Forbidden City (故宫)
The 故宫 (Gugong) or Forbidden City with the so-called Gate of Heavenly Peace (天安门) right in front of it belongs to the same monuments of the historical heritage of the great Empire. After paying 40-60 yuan and entering Gugong, you begin your journey through a mass of huge stone gates that you can climb up and enjoy the view from above; you enter the square with exhibition halls and rich, even sometimes ridiculous sovereign shops and extremely active and vociferous sellers of all these delights; you come to the white stone bridges over the tiny canals, where the warm breeze pleasantly refreshes.
At some point, walking through the Forbidden City, it may seem that you are the hero of the film Groundhog Day, since all these stone gates, squares and bridges are absolutely identical. However, if you change course and turn somewhere or climb to what height, then you can see this bulk from a new angle and how ant-people scurry here and there. In the Forbidden City, it is worth admiring the monumentality of buildings, human strength and endurance, thanks to which all this was built long before mere mortals were allowed into the palace complex.
3. If you are crazy fans active entertainment and don't think of a vacation without being charged with adrenaline, screaming enough at a wild attraction or a creepy water slide, then you are in the Happy Valley amusement park or 欢乐谷, which is on the unknown outskirts of Beijing. Like most places where people gather “in order to have fun”, the amusement park occupies a colossal area and contains attractions for people with different levels of mental strength: from harmless trains and swings to unthinkable roller coasters and “carousels”, from which, and the hair on end, and the voice sat down, and the heart is about to burst out of the chest.
Here you can safely stay for the whole day, with the whole family knowing the scope of the imagination of the engineers who created all this magnificence. But be prepared to stand in long queues for the most popular (and interesting, respectively) rides. During the day you will find where to eat and just relax and take a breath. You can also catch the performance of overseas artists with incendiary dances and drumming. If you come to Happy Valley during the “hot” season (mid-March-mid-November), you will have to pay 260 yuan for adults and 160 yuan for children, and 60 yuan for pensioners, and if you arrive between 6 pm and 10 pm, the ticket will cost you 180 yuan. Please note that some attractions close before 10 pm.
In the article we will talk about "unusual food", "cultural entertainment" and "artistic enlightenment" in the capital of China.
Beijing, as the capital of one of the most ancient countries in the world of China, is rightfully considered the center of culture and education throughout the PRC. Being not the most ancient city country, however, it is considered very interesting, therefore it attracts thousands of tourists every year.
The city skillfully combines the swiftness of modernity and the calm of the past, which is manifested to a greater extent in the variety of architectural styles that are harmoniously mixed in the metropolis. In addition, Beijing is known for its parks and gardens, facilities world heritage and, of course, business and shopping districts.
What to see in Beijing? - this is a frequently asked question to the local population from tourists who visit the city for the first time.
Climate of the city: when is it most beautiful here
The geographical position of Beijing determines its humid continental climate with frequent monsoons, which means unbearably hot summers, with a temperature of +30˚С, and cold winters with ice, due to the presence of strong northerly winds.
The residents of the city themselves claim that Beijing is unforgettable in autumn, when “a fresh wind is walking” in the city and one can see “ clear sky". Spring will also delight lovers of flowering gardens and parks, but sandstorms are likely to arrive.
However, despite any weather in Beijing, it is beautiful at any time of the year, as each of them has its own charm and characteristics.
Walks in Beijing for any season
What to see in Beijing in winter, because for many tourists winter is not the most best time year in Beijing, due to the gray color scheme that prevails in the city. However, only those who were not in the city at that time of the year think so.
The streets of the "northern capital" begin to be brightly decorated for the New Year, after which celebrations and festivities begin. It is at this time that the most important holiday for the whole country, Dongzhi (the day of the winter solstice), takes place. Therefore, it is imperative to see WangFujin Street, which has the most beautiful decoration and the largest number of shops.
There are ice sculpture exhibitions held in numerous parks in the city, the most famous of which takes place in the Helongtan Park Complex, and there are also excellent places to visit in winter. Unique ice sculptures in the form of characters from famous fairy tales and films, or animals from the signs of the zodiac are located on almost three thousand hectares.
Earth Altar Park is the site of the Miaohui Festival to celebrate the Chinese New Year. Running for almost a week since the end of January, it includes large-scale fairs, performances (including the People's Opera) with dances and "staging" of ancient rituals.
In addition, many snow complexes open throughout the city, where you can have a great time skating and sledding.
Evening Beijing
Many tourists who annually visit the capital of China as "savages" do not at first know where to go in the evening in Beijing.
The life of the city in the evening hours is completely different from the rest of the time. In addition to a large number gourmet restaurants, where there is an opportunity to taste national dishes and delicacies, noisy bars and nightclubs, guests of the city are waiting unforgettable experience from Beijing Opera in the evening, tea ceremonies introduction and self-development training.
Peking Opera is considered a "pearl" cultural life cities. Located in the Mei Lanfang Grand Theatre, every evening it pleases the audience with an excellent repertoire, which is based on such interesting themes as mercy, wisdom, duty, etc. The opera reveals to the viewer all the unusual culture of the country, as well as the spiritual and moral values of the nation. Special attention actors' costumes made of bright fabrics, with oriental prints and handmade embroideries attract attention.
The tea culture of Lao She is very spiritual and traditional. Therefore, the tea house in Qianmen is a great place to go in Beijing to enjoy. This large complex, which reveals to tourists all the subtleties of the culture of Chinese tea drinking and feasts. In addition, various performances (dancing, singing, etc.) are held here every evening, also introducing the guests of the complex to the culture of the country.
The Red Theater with the famous play "The Legend of Gongfu" is a must-see in Beijing. There is no better place in the city that will introduce you to this art of self-development, which includes elements of martial arts, dance, acrobatic elements and other types of self-defense. The action, which opens before the audience, tells the story of the life of the monk Chun Yi, transferring all his thoughts, feelings and moods to the hall.
Preparing for a trip to northern capital» China, all tourists traveling on their own prefer to develop plans for future excursions in advance. To do this, just search the Web for "Beijing interesting places", and there will be a large number of options. All of them can be divided into three groups:
- temples;
- park complexes and gardens;
- historical monuments.
Therefore, everyone can choose exactly what he likes the most.
The place to go in Beijing for the “best” experience of the city is, of course, the old narrow streets and quarters (hutong), which on both sides consist of beautiful one-story houses, with complex courtyards. Here you can always hire a rickshaw, which will not only take you around the neighborhoods, but also take you to the Yinding Bridge.
beijing zoo
The city is famous throughout China, the Beijing Zoo, which is home to a large number of the country's rarest animal species. Built on the same principle as most city parks, it is chinese garden with enclosures for wild animals.
The pride of the zoo are giant pandas, Manchurian tigers and elephants. The total number of inhabitants of the zoo is 5,000 individuals belonging to 450 species. Each year, the zoo management introduces visitors to at least one new rare animal species, and regularly cooperate with zoos in other countries, thus trying to preserve the populations of endangered species.
It also houses the Beijing Aquarium and many historical monuments from the Qing Dynasty. The "Beautiful View Tower", made in Western style, is the only surviving building that served as a temporary refuge for the emperor, which was used as a residence for high-ranking Chinese officials in the 20th century.
If, having arrived in the "northern capital", the tourist still does not know, and has not decided in advance, going to Beijing what to see, where to go, then he needs to go to Tiananmen Square. Since the most grandiose buildings and sights that personify and tell about the history and culture of an entire people are concentrated here (the building of the People's Assembly, Opera theatre, historical museum, etc.).
To feel the grandeur of the whole area and the surrounding structures, it is best to go here in the morning. Moreover, every day, regardless of the weather and the situation, the Chinese flag is raised here. This tradition, which is already several decades old, still captures visitors and delights the local population.
The dimensions of the square (nine hundred meters long and five hundred meters wide) allow many public events to be held here, for example, the launch kites, an extraordinary tradition that brings a lot of fun to both children and adults.
Peace Park
The program "Interesting Places in Beijing" must necessarily include a visit to the Peace Park, a feature of which is the location in it of reduced authentic copies of the most interesting sights of countries around the world. The Paris Eiffel Tower, the Moscow Kremlin, the Pyramids of Egypt and much more will take you back to different countries peace and make unforgettable photos. You can walk along San Francisco's Golden Bridge or feel the spray of Niagara Falls.
For lovers of vivid impressions, there is an opportunity to take pictures and ride an elephant a little. The very idea of the park was aimed at strengthening friendly relations with various countries.
It is impossible to come to Beijing and not visit the most famous palace complex in the world, which is also the largest. Built in the center of the globe (according to astronomers), it is filled with the philosophy and spirituality of Chinese culture. It impresses with its grandeur and beauty. For many centuries, access to the palace was allowed only to the family of the emperor, the highest ranks and ambassadors. Ordinary citizens were forbidden entry, with an immediate death penalty if the ban was violated.
To date, this historical monument- this is the location of the Imperial Museum "Gugong", the entrance to which is open to all comers. The museum's collection is updated annually and has about 1 million items, including valuable exhibits of paintings, books, clothes and jewelry of the emperor.
Around the city there is a high wall with a moat, through which several bridges lead. Its territory is picturesque, filled with various buildings, gardens and lakes.
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- and its attractions
The great Wall of China - business card China in the tourism business, but in fact this wonderful structure was intended to protect Chinese territories from the north. The first Chinese wall was built in the 3rd century BC. BC. Since then, its construction continued until the XVII century, not only different rulers of China, but also different dynasties contributed to the Great Wall.
The Great Wall of China still shows the majesty and power of the Middle Kingdom. Its length is almost 9 thousand km. In addition, its width allowed cavalry to pass over it. The Chinese rulers highly value it and have been carrying out restoration so far, therefore the Great Wall of China is still in excellent condition and amazes tourists with its historical and cultural value.
In 1987, the Great Wall of China was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List, and it is hard to imagine a visit to China without walking through the incredible structure, striking in its scale.
Historical Museum
One of the central attractions, both in terms of historical significance and architectural value, is the building of the Beijing History Museum near Tiananmen Square. In a strict stone building with two rows of high pillars stretching along the facade, two museums fit at once. In the Museum of the Revolution, you can learn about the history of the liberation struggle of the Chinese people. And the Historical Museum acquaints visitors with the history of China from antiquity to the middle of the 19th century.
The Historical Museum has been fulfilling its scientific and educational mission for many years. The exposition is divided into three large sections, in accordance with a certain historical and cultural era. On a huge area there are several thousand various exhibits. Numerous showcases and stands store rare thousand-year-old artifacts and items that are more familiar to the common man. The history of China is told through colorful dioramas and models, replicas of art and authentic creations collected from many places in China. The exposition is carefully thought out, taking into account all the latest achievements of the museum business.
What sights of Beijing did you like? There are icons next to the photo, by clicking on which you can rate a particular place.
forbidden city
The Forbidden City is located in the heart of Beijing. Its territories are vast and include many buildings. This palace complex allows visitors to experience the history and culture of China, typical architectural elements, colors, sculptures.
The Forbidden City was built according to all the rules of Feng Shui science: its entrance faces south, mountains close it from the north, and a river flows inside. All this contributes to the accumulation of energy, which should have allowed the Chinese rulers to lead the country better and more efficiently. Also, for a long time, all commoners were forbidden to enter the Forbidden City. Only the reigning dynasty and their servants, eunuchs, concubines could be there. However, not everyone observed this prohibition, even under pain of death, painful punishment. Ordinary people were interested to know what is behind the ten-meter walls Forbidden City and many risked their lives.
Visiting the Forbidden City, tourists can observe more than a million different sculptures and cultural treasures of China. Enjoy that amazing atmosphere, which is so far from the Western world.
Art Museum was opened in December 1999. It exhibits the treasures of ancient China. The museum has permanent exhibitions of stone sculpture and bronze products. You can see goblets from the Shan Dynasty, ancient cauldrons and bells, and forty carvings of Buddha dating back to the 5th-8th centuries found in Shandong Province. The entire exposition of the museum fully reflects the development and unique charm of ancient civilization China.
The purpose of the museum is to collect rare and valuable collections, and not to chase the number of all kinds of cultural and historical artifacts.
The Wax Museum
In the museum wax figures in Beijing, one of the largest in China, presents the history of the Ming Dynasty. In the museum halls, plots are reconstructed on the theme of the most striking episodes from the life of emperors and ordinary people, each of which allows you to get an idea not only about a particular historical period, but also about the character of the rulers themselves. Wax figures of historical figures are made very realistic, from clothing to the smallest detail. The figures here don't just talk to each other, they live here!
The exposition of the wax museum can be conditionally divided into three categories: historical events, episodes of life or death. Looking at them, it becomes clear that life in the imperial palace and around it was both cruel and "fun". Here emperors and officials, concubines and nobles, tax collectors and the poor - ragged and mired in terrible need and poverty. The country is on the verge of collapse, and the imperial court is immersed in luxury. You see the Mongol raids, devastated villages, battles and assaults, the seething whirlpool of city blocks - and all this seemed to freeze, as if someone pressed the "pause" button ... A real immersion in the atmosphere of that distant time.
summer palace
On the northwestern outskirts of Beijing is one of the largest parks in China - summer palace, country imperial residence. The construction of the park began under the Qing Emperor Qianlong in 1750.
The park consists of several zones - at the Eastern Gate is palace ensemble, next to the lake rises the Mountain of Longevity, on which the tallest building is located - the tower-terem Fosyange - the Tower of incense in honor of the Buddha. The territory of the park is a labyrinth of canals, artificial lakes and islands. There are many pavilions, palace buildings, numerous alleys. An amazing painted gallery leads along the lake to Longevity Mountain - it is listed in the Guinness Book of Records as "the world's longest painted corridor" - 728 meters.
Unfortunately, not all architectural structures have survived to this day, but even the ruins overgrown with greenery look very picturesque. In 1998, the magnificent Summer Palace was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This park is considered a masterpiece of Chinese landscape design.
Sky Temple
The Temple of Heaven (Tiantan) is located in the southern part of Beijing. It is known primarily for its unconventional round shape for Chinese temples. The Temple of Heaven is included in the temple complex "Park of the Temple of Heaven", which is considered one of the largest temple and monastery complexes in the country. It was erected during the Ming Dynasty by Emperor Yong Le in 1420.
At the entrance to the park, you can see a huge altar on which anyone can stand. From the altar to northern part The complex is 30 meters wide road. In this part of the park is the Temple of Heaven - it is also called the Temple of Prayer for the Harvest. The round shape of the building, according to Chinese tradition, symbolizes the sky.
The emperor came here every year on the day of the winter solstice - to pray to Heaven for a rich harvest and leave generous gifts.
Are you curious to know how well you know the sights of Beijing? .
Tiananmen Square
Tiananmen Square - the world's largest square, located in the center of Beijing - the capital of China People's Republic. Tiananmen Square literally translates as "Gate of Heavenly Peace." The square is named after the Tiananmen Gate, which separates it from the Forbidden City and is located north of the square itself.
Tiananmen Square is the largest square in the world. Today the square is 880 meters long and 500 meters wide. Tiananmen Square is so large that more than a million people can fit on it at the same time. There are always a lot of tourists on Tiananmen Square who can walk and enjoy Beijing in peace. The square gives tourists the opportunity to learn about the past and present of the Celestial Empire.
Tiananmen Square is located in the city center and is considered a symbol of the Chinese nation.
Near Tiananmen Square are the most famous and amazing sights of the city.
The most popular attractions in Beijing with descriptions and photos for every taste. choose best places for visiting famous places Beijing on our website.
Individual and group
Beijing is the capital of China and one of the most densely populated cities in the world. Over 22 million people miraculously manage to live on 17.8 thousand square kilometers. Be prepared for the fact that in public places you will be constantly touched and pushed by passers-by, Beijingers are not very polite. The city is being actively built and developed. The economy flourishes because of this, but the environment suffers greatly. Beijing is constantly in the grip of smog. Many residents of the city wear masks and even respirators. Protective equipment has become a regular part of the wardrobe. They are matched by color to clothes, and women of fashion decorate with ruffles and sequins. The quality of the city's water also leaves much to be desired, so don't risk drinking unboiled tap water.
Despite all the problems of the city, several million tourists visit Beijing every year. After all, modernity and ancient oriental culture, atheistic communism and Buddhist temples coexist in an amazing way. The frantic pace of the metropolis does not prevent Beijingers from starting the working day every morning with a line and shouting out slogans, and spending the evening in the park doing their favorite songs and dancing for Beijingers. You can get to Beijing from Moscow by plane and train. In the first case, the journey will take 6 hours, in the second - 6 days.
Climate and weather in Beijing
The city is dominated by the so-called temperate monsoon climate. For him, the characters are warm, rainy summers and windy winters (often without snow at all). The average temperature of the winter months is about - 5-10 degrees Celsius. Precipitation is very rare. In summer, the air warms up to an average of 26 degrees.
75% of all precipitation falls as rain between June and September. The best time to visit Beijing is early autumn. It is not very hot in the city at this time and rain is unlikely.
| Happy | At night | |
|---|---|---|
| January | +2 | -8 |
| February | +5 | -6 |
| March | +12 | 0 |
| April | +20 | +8 |
| May | +26 | +14 |
| June | +30 | +19 |
| July | +31 | +22 |
| August | +30 | +21 |
| September | +26 | +15 |
| October | +19 | +8 |
| November | +10 | 0 |
| December | +4 | -6 |
Hotels and hostels in Beijing
There are many hotels in the city: from super expensive in the center to cheap hostels located in old shabby buildings. good and inexpensive view housing in Beijing can become boutique hotels. As a rule, these are hotels hidden from the eyes with an interesting interior design. The rooms here are cozy, but the level of service is below European. Tourists also have the opportunity to stay at a hotel built in the old Chinese style. This is for lovers of exotic and immersion in the atmosphere of the country. Such hotels are located in areas remote from the center of the city. The closer the Great Wall of China, the more such hotels.
In general, the level of prices for Beijing hotels is lower than in other countries. But keep in mind that China is a developing country, not everyone speaks English. "Lost in translation" is likely. Many hotels charge a deposit upon arrival. When leaving, attentive Chinese can even check the availability of disposable slippers and try to find many reasons not to return your deposit. Good luck smiles at persistent tourists. Tipping in Beijing is optional.
Sights of Beijing
Beijing is a concentration of a huge number of architectural monuments and historical sites. It will take at least a week to get around most of them. Coming to Beijing and not visiting the Great Wall of China is at least strange. After all, this grandiose building is the hallmark of the country. Its first buildings date back to the 3rd century BC. The wall began to be built to protect China from the north, its construction continued right up to the 17th century. The length of the wall is 9 thousand kilometers. The rulers of China for centuries carefully guarded their "protector" and regularly restored, so the monument has been perfectly preserved for posterity. Experienced travelers are advised to take a sufficient amount of water and a snack with them on an excursion, since examining the wall is not a quick matter.
A must-see is also the Forbidden City palace complex, which is in the very center of Beijing. Just imagine: before, people took risks and parted with their lives just to see what was happening outside the walls of the Forbidden City. The thing is that the entrance there to commoners was ordered. But there were always curious daredevils. The complex is very large, all buildings are built according to Feng Shui. Visiting the Forbidden City, you can immerse yourself in the atmosphere and feel the spirit of old China, walking among the traditional architecture and sculptures.
To see the famous Beijing Temple of Heaven, head to the southern part of the city. temple complex"Park of the Temple of Heaven" is one of the most unusual and largest in the country. It was built in 1420. The round shape of the Temple of Heaven actually symbolizes the sky. In the old days, it was here that the emperor came every year on the same day and prayed for a rich harvest. Arriving in Beijing, tourists have the opportunity to visit the largest square in the world.
The Heavenly Peace Square stretches for 440,000 square meters. For comparison: it's like 20 Red Squares. For a long time, the square served the Chinese as a place for rallies and celebrations, but everything turned upside down in 1989. Then in Beijing there were serious popular unrest. Chinese students gathered in the square to put forward their demands to the government, but were brutally dispersed. There were no human casualties. Since then, the area has been used exclusively for recreational purposes.
What is China without shopping? We offer you to go to the trading heart of Beijing - Wangfujin Street, more than 800 meters long. This is not just a street market. The shopping district has been leading its history for 700 years. There are more than 200 different shops with electrical and photographic equipment, jewelry, watches, clothes, cosmetics, and hand made goods.
Holidays in Beijing with children will brighten up a visit to the capital's zoo. More than 600 species of animals live here in comfortable conditions. The territory of the zoo is similar to a classic Chinese garden. There are groves of trees, and open areas, and lotus ponds. In addition to other rare animals of China, pandas, which are a symbol of the country, enjoy special love. Watching clumsy and artistic bears is a real pleasure.
Cuisine and restaurants in Beijing
According to the latest observations of scientists, Beijing residents are rapidly gaining weight. And all because of delicious and cheap Chinese food. Restaurants, cafes, takeaway food stalls are here at every turn. You can constantly try new dishes for yourself. Today, Beijingers are increasingly eating on the go, but before, a meal for a resident of the capital of China was a real ritual. The family sat down at the table, in the center of which a rotating circle was installed. There were numerous dishes on it. Cold and hot appetizers, main course, as well as soups and desserts. Everyone put what he wanted on his plate. The meals lasted for a long time, they did not leave the table for several hours.
In China, they eat with chopsticks, and the portions in restaurants, to put it mildly, are rather big (you can order one for two for a sample). We offer to start according to the Chinese tradition with a Beijing snack. It's a stuffed pancake. As a rule, fried mulberry mushroom (fulin), known for its healing properties, acts as a filler. In Beijing, of course, you should definitely try Peking duck. This national dish has been known since the Yuan Dynasty, who lived in the 14th century. The duck is rubbed with honey and baked in a special oven. Before serving, the meat is cut into thin slices. Duck is served with tangerine tortillas and special sauces. By the way, cooks cook soup from the remaining parts of the tuka, adding Chinese cabbage. The broth is served after the main course - such are the orders in China.
For dessert in Beijing, you can try the traditional Beijing sweet roll. It is prepared from yams, dates, nuts and seeds. Despite the fact that the dish is sweet and high-calorie, he is credited with healing properties. It is said that yam is able to heal the stomach and lungs.
What to bring from Beijing
Porcelain, tea and silk are considered traditional souvenirs from Beijing. Porcelain figurines are sold everywhere. It can be girls and boys in traditional Chinese clothes, cute pandas or dragons. The Chinese are true masters of porcelain production. And you can be convinced of this in any large shopping center or Beijing market.
Having decided to buy tea in Beijing, be prepared for the fact that this particular product is not cheap here. However, its quality is excellent. You should definitely buy different types of tea, which are sold here by weight. Believe me, your idea of tea will never be the same again. Despite the fact that silk is one of the expensive souvenirs, you can buy it in Beijing for little money. A neat handkerchief or scarf will not ruin you much, but will remind you of the unsurpassed quality of the Chinese textile industry for a long time to come.
If you decide to visit Asia and get acquainted with its unique culture, then our useful guide you will definitely need it. Especially for you, we have collected the most necessary information for independent tourists about Beijing, helpful tips and tips. Beijing amazing city Here everyone will discover something new for themselves. It will certainly conquer you from the first day of your stay. Here you can walk around the most beautiful parks, have a picnic by the lake, spend an evening in an authentic bar, taste delicious dishes and just enjoy the local flavor. You definitely can't go wrong if you go to Beijing in spring or autumn. Of course, the city can also be visited in the summer, but keep in mind that for many at this time it will seem too stuffy and not very comfortable for long walks. In winter, a holiday in Beijing is also possible, but make colorful and beautiful pictures may not work. Many discourage a trip to Beijing when the Chinese New Year is celebrated here, frightening with crowds of tourists, but, as practice shows, at this time you can have a great rest here without any discomfort. A nice bonus - various additional discounts in shops.
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The easiest way, of course, is by plane. It is convenient to get there without transfers by Aeroflot flight. The flight from Moscow will take 7.5 hours, back a little longer. You can also make a flight with transfers by buying airline tickets for airlines Turkish airlines, Azal, China Southern Airlines, Finnair, but this is less comfortable and more expensive.
Visa to China
If you purchase a ready-made tour, then you should not worry about a visa. The travel agency will take care of the arrangements. If you are traveling on your own, you can obtain a visa at the Consulate or Visa Application Centre. To obtain a visa, you must prepare the following documents:
- A completed application form, which can be downloaded from the website visa application center chinavisacenter.ru in the Forms section
- International passport. Keep in mind that your passport must be valid for at least 6 months when you come to apply
- Copy of international passport (photo page)
- One color photo 3*4cm
- Flights
- Hotel reservation
- Copy of the first page and registration page of the Russian passport
- If available, copies of previously issued Chinese visas
You will also need to make a payment of 2,500 rubles. Processing time 5 working days. If you need to get a visa faster, it will cost more. It is possible to issue a visa in one day.
The address of the China Visa Application Centre: Moscow, st. 1st Kadashevsky per., 13, building 1, floor 2.
How to get around in Beijing
The most convenient way is, of course, the subway. The fare is two yuan. So, without any problems and traffic jams, you can easily get from one end of the city to the other. For convenience, we recommend downloading the application with the metro map, it will definitely come in handy. Keep in mind that you won’t be able to avoid a large number of people during rush hours, so try to choose a more suitable time for traveling on the subway.
There are several possible options. One of the most convenient is the Aeroexpress, the route of which passes through the 2nd and 3rd terminals, as well as the Dongzhimen and Sanyuanqiao subway stations. Aeroexpress will deliver tourists to the city without any problems from 6 am to 11 pm. The fare is 25 yuan. Do not rush to throw away the ticket, as you will need it when you exit. If you arrive late at night, we recommend taking a taxi. For travel from the airport to the city, you will pay about 100 yuan. Keep in mind that you will have to stand in line.
Of course, private traders will offer their services to you, but we strongly recommend that you refuse them. In order to avoid problems with the driver, prepare a note written in hieroglyphs in advance with the right address, since local taxi drivers are not doing well with any foreign languages. Another option is to print the hotel business card from the site. The Internet is here to help you. Most budget way to get from the airport to the city - bus. The trip will cost you approximately 1 to 3 yuan. The only obstacle may be the language barrier if you do not know the exact stop or route. In general, in order not to get lost and not to train on local residents sign language and facial expressions, we recommend that you find out in advance which route you need, the bus number, the name of the stop.
Where to stay in Beijing
Grand Millennium Beijing
Indoor pool, spa, 4 restaurants
amazing
Booked today 55 times
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Inner Mongolia Grand Hotel
400m from Beijing Railway Station
amazing
1384 reviews
Booked today 18 times
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Happy Dragon.R J Brown hotel
Just 10 minutes drive from Tiananmen Square
amazing
1758 reviews
Booked 12 times today
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Where to eat. Trying the local cuisine
For more information on local venues, visit CityWeekend or TheBeijinger. We can advise you to look into one interesting bar - Beetle In a Box. Original interior, good service, fragrant coffee and delicious sandwiches are guaranteed. There is a choice of stronger drinks. Address: Jiaodaokou, 交道口. Bldg 4, 24 Jiaodaokou Dongdajie, Dongcheng District, 东城区4号楼24号.
Not far from this bar there is another great place - Alba Café. Finding it is not difficult, you just need to go a little further in the same direction. Here you will be offered very tasty dishes. You will certainly appreciate the interior of this establishment and attentive service. In addition, the cafe has Wi-Fi.
If you are thinking about where to spend the evening and dine, then we recommend stopping by one of the most popular places in Beijing - F1 First Floor. Address: Ground Floor, Tongli Studios, Sanlitun Beixiaojie, Chaoyang district, 朝阳区三里屯北小街同里大厦一层. It is especially nice to visit this place on Monday, because on this day there is a 50% discount on the entire menu. Free Wi-Fi is provided for customers of the establishment.
For the picky and budget travelers we recommend trying delicious dishes in local chifanki. These are small Chinese restaurants. Of course, you will not see starched napkins and china cups here, but you can definitely eat on a budget and very hearty. Portions in chifanki are always huge and various nice “buns” are often offered: free snacks, beer, etc.
If you need something quick to eat between sightseeing, then you should definitely try the overton, which you can buy near the metro. You can also buy sweet pancakes, a tortilla with herbs and ham from a seller with a cart, exotic lovers can try fried scorpions on a skewer. As for sweets, we definitely recommend trying hawthorn berries in sugar syrup. Also in Beijing, you can always find familiar and familiar food at Pizza Hut or, for example, at KFC. In general, you will definitely not stay hungry in Beijing.
First day
Sightseeing usually starts from Tiananmen Square. It is a kind of starting point. Its unique feature is its size. It is the largest in the world. But this is where tourists face fraud. Be vigilant and do not flatter yourself if someone shows a special friendliness to your person.
National Theater
Near the square is another popular attraction - national theater. If you missed a performance, don't be discouraged. In any case, you need to go in, because inside there is something to see and there is something to admire.
Now is the time to visit the Forbidden City. What is it that attracts tourists so much? Of course, the scale and the opportunity to see the unique architecture with your own eyes. Of course, because of the crowds of tourists, it is quite difficult to get to the windows of the imperial chambers, but you should definitely look in.
Hotels near the Forbidden City:
Bei Chang Jie No.25
0.4 km from Forbidden City
amazing
50 reviews
Booked 4 times today
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Beijing Fuyou Street Hotel
1 km to Forbidden City
amazing
50 reviews
Booked 4 times today
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Beihai and Jingshan Park
If you walk north of the Forbidden City, you will find yourself in Beihai Park, and Jingshan Park is also very close. We recommend visiting both, because, for example, in Beihai Park you can enjoy peace and tranquility. Jingshan Park offers unique attractions. In addition, in this park you can see the place where the emperor committed suicide.
Second day
Today you can devote time to exploring the Qingyyuan Park, known as the Summer imperial palace. We recommend that you go there as early as possible, since already around ten o'clock it is simply not overcrowded here and it is quite problematic to appreciate the beauty of the place. The easiest way to get to the place is by metro. You need line 4, Beigongmen station. This park has hardly changed since the reign of Emperor Qianlong and is divided into three zones to this day. In the first of them you can see the palace buildings located near the Eastern Gate. In the second zone there is the tower of Fosyange, which rises on the southern slope of the Mountain of Longevity. The third zone is located behind the mountain and is notable for the fact that Suzhou Canal Street was restored here not so long ago.
Garden of Perfection and Purity
Not far from Qingyyuan Park is the Garden of Perfection and Purity. Here you can take a leisurely walk and enjoy the beauty of lakes and hills. You can also see the ruins of palaces here.
The third day
Today you can visit the Temple of Heaven (Tiantan), which includes a complex of buildings and a park area. This complex is open for visitors from 9 am to 4 pm. The entrance fee for one person is 15 yuan. If you plan to visit the temples located in the park, you will need to pay an additional 20 yuan.
You can get to the place by metro. You need line 5, Tantandongmen stop. In the Temple of Heaven, be sure to take a photo of the blue tiles, watch the calligraphy masters, make sure that the Echo Wall really works, experiment with the Heavenly Soul Stone.
Today you can also visit the National Bolshoi Theatre, which is unlike any other theater in the world. 50 years have been working on the development of the project and the result is simply amazing. The author of the project was the French architect Paul André. Unusual architecture is a distinctive feature of this building.
Even if you are not a fan of theatrical art, you will find something to do here. Restaurants and shops are open to visitors at the National Bolshoi Theater. Admission ticket costs 30 yuan. To get to the place, use the subway. You need the first line, Tiananmen West station.
Fourth day
Zoo
Today, you can spend an exciting time in one of the largest zoos in China, founded in 1906. Almost 15 thousand representatives of the fauna live here. On the territory of the zoo there are ponds and lakes built at the end of the Qing Dynasty. Special attention deserves the Big Panda House, where the most popular mammals live, including the unique giant panda. You can get to the zoo by subway line 4, Beijing Zoo Station.
Another attraction in Beijing that certainly deserves attention is the Ancient Observatory. Today it represents a thematic museum, which presents ancient exhibits - astronomical equipment. The observatory was built in 1442. If you take the subway, then you need the first and second lines, Jianguomen Station.
metro line 8
Also devote time to Metro Line 8 (Olympic Branch Line), the opening of which was timed to coincide with the Olympics, which took place in Beijing in 2008. You will be able to visit the National Stadium "Bird's Nest" and the National Swimming Center "Water Cube", which is currently a water park.
Fifth day
Today we recommend visiting another unique place- Art Zone 798 (Dashanzi Art District). On the territory you can visit various exhibitions, which are often updated. Previously, visiting the Art Zone was absolutely free, today, for the most part, an entrance fee is required.
It is noteworthy that there used to be a factory on this territory, so galleries and expositions are located right in the workshops of abandoned buildings. The easiest way to get to the gallery is by taxi, as the metro does not pass to this object. Get off at Lianmaqiao station, which is on the tenth line, catch a taxi and show the address: 大山子798艺术区.
Sixth day
Today we are going to visit the Great Chinese Wall. The easiest way to get to the place is to buy a tour, which is sold in almost all hotels. You will be able to get to the sights you need in comfort and without any problems. Another option is to travel tourist bus, which departs early in the morning from Tiananmen or Xuanwumen. Buy a ticket and get ready for an exciting excursion. The most courageous tourists who are not afraid of difficulties can get to Badaling on their own by buying a ticket for the train that leaves from the northern station.
An important point, if you decide to buy excursions, then choose a section of the Mutianyu wall, as many hours of traffic jams await you on the way to Badaling. Also, do not count on a tour in English and, especially, in Russian. The story is told exclusively in Chinese. Stock up on a light snack, as all snacks near the tourist site are very expensive. Before you go for an inspection, remember the number of the bus on which you arrived and check exact time meeting with the guide.
Seventh day. Shopping in Beijing
It would be unforgivable to come to Beijing and not take the time to shop. Shopping can and should be combined with an excursion program. If you prefer such well-known brands as: Uniqlo, Bershka, Stradivarius, Pull&Bear, H&M, Zara, GAP, then be sure to check out the U-Town shopping center or any other one that comes your way. These brands are not uncommon in Beijing. If you are more interested in local designers, then pay attention to the Hot Wind brand. Also, in search of interesting places for shopping, take a look at The Place tower complex. Here you can see the LED screen already familiar to everyone from the photo from the Internet. We highly recommend checking out Charterhouse, a bookstore where you can buy literature in English.
You can bargain and buy copies from the collections of famous brands at the Silk Market. If you are told the cost of a thing, then you can safely divide it by 10. In general, you can have a lot of fun here.
If you need interesting souvenirs for relatives, friends or colleagues, then head to Nanluoguxiang. Here you will definitely find something interesting. If you wish, we recommend taking a walk to the Houhai bar street, it is not far away. Here you can combine shopping and sightseeing scenic spots. Since the place is touristic, the prices are correspondingly higher than in other places. If you want to save money, then you can go to hutongs for a snack. The food here is no less delicious. If you want to buy interesting souvenirs made of stone or porcelain, ivory or bamboo, wood, antiques, then go to Liulichang Street.
Prefer exquisite silk products? The stores you need are located on Xiushui Road. Brand items in Beijing can be bought on Xidan Street. Beijing markets deserve special attention. Tourists will be interested in five markets. Wangfujing Market, which is basically shopping street and is located near the Forbidden City, offers tourists branded products in various boutiques, souvenirs, bookstores. We recommend coming here in the late afternoon. It is at this time that the “food alley” opens here, where you can taste freshly prepared exotic kebabs, for example, from scorpions. You can also combine walking and shopping with a visit to the Chinese theater, the entrance to which is free for everyone.
To get to Xiushuijie Silk Market, you need to take the subway to Yonganli Station. The market itself is located in a multi-storey building, where only tourists buy mainly, as the prices here are very high. There will be no language barrier with merchants, as they all speak English. Bargaining on the price here is unlikely to succeed, for the most part it is fixed. You can buy similar goods as in the Xiushuijie market, but only more affordable, and in terms of quality, you can at the Yasiu (Yashou) shichang market. We take the subway to Dongsishitiao station.
A must-see for all shopaholics is the Hongqiao shichang Pearl Market. Here are the most reasonable prices and good quality goods. Another popular market in Beijing is Yabaolu. Here you can buy all the products that you see in shopping malls in Russia. This place is popular with Russian tourists the fact that only here you can easily exchange rubles for dollars, and all sellers speak Russian. The prices will also please you.
Where to go in Beijing at night
The main advice to all tourists is not to try strong alcoholic drinks in clubs, as they are of very low quality in Beijing. Even familiar high-end whiskey brands do not guarantee original content. In general, there is a high risk of running into burnt alcohol. One exception is the Mao Mao Chong bar. It is cozy, tasty food and carefully monitor the reputation, I offer only high-quality alcohol. The interior of the bar is decorated with paintings, which are painted by the owner of the establishment. He and his wife can often be found at the bar. They will offer you high quality service, attentive attitude and branded tincture.