The Forbidden City
The magnificent Forbidden City is the world's largest
and best-preserved imperial palace complex. Surrounded by a formidable moat and
walls are 9,999 rooms, just one short of the number that the ancient Chinese
believed represents divine perfection.
The Forbidden City is so called because it was
off-limits to the public for 500 years. It was home to two dynasties, the Ming
and the Qing, and functioned as the administrative centre of the country.
Tiananmen Square
Tiananmen Square in Beijing can be described as
Beijing's heart and soul. Located at the centre of the city, a 15-minute drive
from China World Summit Wing, Beijing, Tiananmen Square is among the most
frequented tourist attractions of the city.
Within the
limits of the square, visitors will be able to see a number of cultural
attractions with the likes of Tiananmen Tower, Monument of People's Heroes,
Great Hall of the People, Memorial Hall of Chairman Mao and the National Museum
of China.
Located at the northern section of Tiananmen Square,
Tiananmen Tower was built in 1417. It is said that only members of the royal
family and a selected number of aristocrats were allowed access to the tower up
until the early 1900's. You can also catch the daily flag-raising ceremony at the square.
Temple of Heaven
A perfect example of Ming architecture, the Temple of Heaven was built specifically for prayers for good harvests.
The temple complex is a treasure trove of ancient Chinese architectural design and art. Seen from above, the temple halls are round with square bases, deriving from the ancient Chinese belief that heaven is round while the earth is square.
The Great Wall
Originally
built to defend against marauding nomads, the Great Wall spans five provinces,
winding across deserts, grasslands and mountains.
Most visitors
see the Great Wall at Badaling, 70 kilometres northwest of Beijing. The
surrounding scenery is raw and impressive, and visitors can climb the wall and
enjoy memorable, panoramic views.
Located
approximately 70 kilometres northeast of Beijing, Mutianyu is one of the
best-preserved sections of the Wall.
Simatai,
located approximately 120 kilometres northeast of Beijing, is the only section
of the Wall that still retains its original structure from the Ming Dynasty (from 1368 to 1644).