See and Do in Beijing

Brimming with cultural and historic attractions, expats who relocate to Beijing will have a lot of fun finding their way around their new city and familiarising themselves with the public transport. With more than just a few eye-catching structures, new residents of the city should visit the National Stadium, better known as the Bird's Nest, the National Grand Theatre, the famous Tiananmen Square and the iconic Great Wall of China. The Forbidden City is also a fabulous way to learn about the country’s past as is the Chairman Mao Mausoleum, which make this magical city captivating to everyone who moves here.

Tiananmen Square
Located at the heart of Beijing, Tiananmen Square was the scene of so many historic events and expats will love being able to walk around it and imagine what historic events played out in the square.

Summer Palace
Built in 1750 by the Emperor Quianlong, a walk through the Summer Palace and it’s breathtaking gardens is a must for any arrival to Beijing, not only to learn a bit about the history of Beijing and its emperors, but also for the sheer beauty of it all. Marvel at the grand courtyard, the Hall of Benevolent Longevity, the Hall of Jade Ripples, and the Hall of Joyful Longevity.

Forbidden City
The biggest and best preserved complex of ancient buildings in China, the Forbidden City began construction in 1407 and was off-limits to the rest of the world for the next 500 years as the emperors lived in seclusion. Nowadays the city is open to the public and new residents of Beijing should take a peek into the city’s past.
www.dpm.org.cn/english/default.asp

Beihai Park
This exquisite haven is the perfect place to escape the hustle and bustle of the city. With sprawling gardens, colourful pavilions and detailed temples the Beihai Park is an ideal place to spend the day relaxing with a picnic and a good book.

Chairman Mao Mausoleum
Chairman Mao Zedong requested he be cremated when he died in 1976 but at the last minute it was decided that he would instead be embalmed. Today visitors to the mausoleum can view the Great Helmsman.

798 Space
One of Beijing’s most prominent art galleries, this former electronics factory houses some seriously cool works of art and all the latest in China’s contemporary art. There is also a video and film viewing area and even a gallery bookshop.
www.798space.com
Tel: (0)10 5978 9180

Beijing Aquarium
Come and meet the marine life that can be found off the Chinese shore or simply enjoy the aquarium’s exhibits of life from around the world. With everything from piranhas to sharks, there’s enough marine life to keep new residents of Beijing captivated and mesmerised for hours.
Tel: (0)10 6217 6655

The Underground City
This bomb shelter built underneath Beijing’s streets was virtually forgotten for more than 20 years but since 2000 it has become a popular tourist attraction for locals and visitors to the city and is definitely worth a visit.
Tel: (0)10 6702 2657

The Beijing National Stadium
Known as the ‘Bird’s Nest’ because of its appearance, this massive stadium was built for the 2008 Summer Olympic Games and is still a popular attraction for locals and visitors to the city where one can marvel at the sheer size and ingenuity of the stadium.
www.n-s.cn