The most famous monument in China, the Great Wall in Beijing actually consists of several different sections of the Great Wall.The Great Wall at Badaling is the easiest to get to, and the most crowded section. The Great Wall at Simatai, unlike Badaling, is unreconstructed.
Summer Palace
The Summer Palace occupies a very large area of park surrounding Kunming Lake. A monument to late Qing dynasty aesthetics, the park is a beautiful and interesting historical space. Sites of interest include the main palace area as well as the Marble Boat. The Long Corridor provides a dramatic back drop to the temple on the hill.
Liulichang Street
Liulichang is a charming street divided into two parts by Xinhua Road South. Both the west and east sides of the street are lined with old brick and stone buildings that have been renovated. Liulichang Street West is home to art supply shops, bookstores and small artist and craft studios selling paper cuts, Shadow puppets and traditional Chinese art paintings and calligraphy. Liulichang East Street is a little more touristy and is home to dealers of real and fake antiques.
Olympic Park
Built for the 2008 Beijing Olympics, the Olympic Park is worth a visit as a symbol of modern China and new Beijing . Exit from station "Olympic Park." The Bird's Nest and the National Aquatics Center are the two most interesting and unique buildings in the park.
Bell and Drum Towers
The Bell and Drum Towers stand as the tallest buildings in the area. Hundreds of years old, the towers are among the oldest of Beijing's monuments. Visitors can climb to the top of each tower and look out over the tile roofs of old Beijing.
Qianmen and Dashilang
Qianmen Street is located south of Tiananmen Square. Repaired and partially rebuilt as a pedestrian market street for the Beijing Olympics, Qianmen Street features pleasant stone architecture and brand name stores. The side streets are still home to old Beijing noodle shops, local snacks and street vendors.
Temple of Heaven
The Temple of Heaven is where the Emperor of China would come each year to sacrifice and pray for a prosperous harvest and a secure kingdom. Aside from the main shrines, the park contains many old cedar trees and is a favorite spot for tai chi practitioners, as well as Beijingers who come together to sing old revolutionary songs.
Hou Hai
Hou Hai (meaning back sea) is a lake in the centre of the old town in the area north of the Forbidden City. The area has cobblestone streets, willows, and old stone bridges. All businesses are run out of converted old brick buildings.
The Forbidden City
The Forbidden City is one of the most awe-inspiring places in China. The complex that makes up the forbidden city really does feel like a separate city, complete with city walls and gates. Highlights include the Imperial Garden, the Hall of Central Harmony and the Imperial Clock and Porcelain collections.
Hutongs of Old Beijing
The hutongs are the heart of old Beijing life. Homes built in these hutongs consist of gray brick and tile roofs with wooden doors. The classic residential design of imperial Beijing was the SI He Yuan, which translates to 4 buildings and a courtyard.
