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Beijing is
located in the North and is
China's capital and its most
modern city. This bustling city
is home to over 10 million
people, while remaining steeped
in China's rich, royal past.
China's two final dynasties
(1368-1911) and 26 emperors have
bestowed Beijing with the
richest dynastic heritage in the
world.
Beijing is also home to an
incredible cultural display of
artistic and historical
artifacts in more than 50
museums, while folk traditions
flourish in theatres, delicious
dining can be found in exotic
settings, and cultural centres
offer fascinating demonstrations
of centuries old art and craft
making.
What
to do:
The Great Wall of China
As you first look upon the Great
Wall, it is impossible not to be
awestruck at this man-made
structure. Construction started
in the 7th century BC, with
additions and rebuilding
continuing until the 16th
century AD. The Great Wall was
built to keep out the warring
invaders of the north, but
additional sections were
extended eastward for nearly
6,700 kilometres. The Badaling
section is the most
well-preserved section of the
Wall. Climb to its top and walk
for a mile in either direction:
the Great Wall snakes ahead
though the mountains as far as
you can see. At the rugged,
beautiful Mutianyu section, a
cable car whisks you quickly to
the top of the Wall.
The Forbidden City (the Palace
Museum)
In the heart of the capital lies
the Forbidden City, built during
the Ming dynasty in 1406. The
Forbidden City is actually a
city-within-a-city; with 9999
rooms spread over 250 acres.
During the Ming and Qing
dynasty, 24 emperors made their
home in the Forbidden City and
forbade commoners from entering.
The Emperor's Palace has been
transformed into a museum that
holds many treasures of the
Imperial Family.
Tian'anmen
Square
Known as the Gate of Heavenly
Peace, is located across the
street from the main entrance to
the Forbidden City.
The Temple of Heaven (Tiantan
Park)
This masterpiece of Ming
architecture is one of the most
photographed buildings in the
world due to its elegant beauty
and symmetry. Built in 1420, it
was the place where Ming and
Qing emperors (Sons of Heaven)
prayed to heaven for a good
harvest. Music plays softly
through the day in a 660-acre
park surrounding the temple.
The Summer Palace
Built in 1750, the Palace
overlooks tranquil Kunming Lake.
There you can stroll along
corridors where royal families
spent their summers hundreds of
years ago.
The Ming Tombs
Large stone animals and human
figures line the famous Sacred
Way, the entrance to the burial
grounds. Set into the hillside
is a complex of tombs of 13
emperors from the Ming dynastys
a royal residence until 1924
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