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 all that Beijing has to see and do. 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.

Recommended sightseeing in Beijing

Tiananmen Square
Located at the heart of Beijing, Tiananmen Square has been the scene of so many events in China’s history. Expats can walk around this public space and imagine just what pieces of or past were built within its borders.

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

Forbidden City (The Palace Museum)
The Forbidden City is the biggest and best preserved complex of ancient buildings in China. The old residence was constructed 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. 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.
http://www.n-s.cn/en
Tel: (0) 10 8498 6888