Beijing, the site of the 2008 Summer Olympics, is an ancient and fascinating city. It is filled with history and culture of both the venerable Chinese dynasties and the modern communist country that China is today making it an interesting place to visit.
Even simple East-West lifestyle and cultural differences are fascinating to see. A popular song claims "there are 9 million bicycles in Beijing" and the singer could be right. A bicycle is a practical and inexpensive mode of transport and the citizens of Beijing embrace this concept. Although with the growing Chinese middle class cars are becoming more popular, you still see a river of bicycles flowing down any major Beijing Street. There are bike lanes that are as full of cyclists as traffic lanes are full of cars.
Important Historic Sights and Museums
Before the communist revolution Beijing was known as Peking. It was the capital of the Ming and Ch'ing dynasties and home to the Chinese emperors and their families. The Forbidden City was an imperial palace fortress that housed the Emperor and his court.
The last Chinese Emperor to live in the Forbidden City was Henry P'u Yi, ("Poo yee."). Made an emperor when he was just a young child, he was forced to abdicate his throne officially in 1912 although he was allowed to continue to live in the Forbidden City until 1924. After World War II, when China became a communist country, the Forbidden City was opened to the people for all to see. Today the Forbidden City is one of the most visited sites in Beijing.
Tiananmen Square is the heart of Beijing, and home to the tomb of Chairman Mao, the father of the 1949 communist revolution. Also located on the square are the Great Hall of the People (Chinese Legislature) and the National Museum of China. Just south of the square you will find the Temple of Heaven, known for its magnificent architecture.
There are several interesting museums that, if you have the time, are worth a visit. These include Peking Man Exhibition Hall, where the bones of Peking Man can be found, The Ancient Bell Museum, Ancient Coin Exhibition Centre, Museum of China History, Stone Carving Art Museum, and for military fans, the Beijing Aviation Museum and the Military Museum.
Great Wall, Summer Palace, Ming Tombs
Just outside of Beijing stands the Great Wall of China. Visitors can take a day tour to the wall and see this amazing feat of engineering and construction. Built during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) to keep out the invading Mongolians, the Great Wall stretches for more than 4,000 miles across China. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987, today it is considered one of the new Modern Seven Wonders of the World.
UNESCO refers to the Summer Palace as "an outstanding expression of the creative art of Chinese landscape garden design, incorporating the works of humankind and nature in a harmonious whole." Once a summer home for the Chinese royalty, it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1998. The Summer Palace is a truly wonderful and tranquil Chinese garden well worth a visit.
The Ming Tombs, located 50 kilometers (about 32.5 miles) outside of
Beijing are the final resting places of the 13 emperors of the Ming Dynasty. The architecture, historical and cultural value of the mausoleums and the perfect preservation of the tombs make them an unusual yet interesting place to visit. Only two of the tombs are open and one is underground. They house not only the remains of the Chinese emperors and empresses but are also a treasure trove of rare and precious artifacts.
Peking Opera, Beijing Zoo, Shopping Fun
The Peking Opera is more than just an opera, it combines singing, dialogue, dancing and martial arts to tell a story. The Opera is said to "contain the soul of Chinese national culture." For an authentic Chinese cultural experience, a trip to the opera is definitely a must.
The Beijing Zoo is home to rare native nimals such as the Giant Panda and the Red Panda, and it also features animals from all over the world including kangaroos, tigers, polar bears and a large selection of African animals. The zoo has over 600 species of animals and the tranquil gardens of the grounds make the Beijing Zoo a pleasant place to spend an afternoon.
Look no further than a busy street corner to find vendors offering souvenirs, postcards and knock-off designer items for sale. Bargain and you can get some good deals on souvenirs and other merchandise. Especially at Tiananmen Square (see below) you will find yourself engulfed by street vendors; be careful as selling in the square is illegal and the police are often around encouraging the overzealous sales people to move on.
A visit to Beijing is a cultural and historical journey that gives the western visitor an insight into the complex social and cultural climate that makes up today's modern China.
