Overview

The Forbidden City's red walls and golden roof tiles. Labyrinthine lanes running through

lowslung grey brick hutong neighborhoods.

Futuristic skyscrapers punctuating the horizon in all directions, broad avenues and the expanse of Tian'anmen Square.

Traffic jams and dust storms, ancient imperial gardens and bustling electronics markets.... Beijing (Běijīng,) holds an astonishing range of experiences for the curious and adventurous.Steeped in the past even as it focuses with all its might on the future, Beijing is continuously emerging and reemerging on the global stage,cementing its place as the capital of a bona fide world power after hosting the 2008 Olympic Games.

Since the Olympics, vast areas of the city have been transformed as new highrise complexes displace old hutong warrens, yet Old Beijing holds fast in surprising ways and places.

Forbidden City

Along with the Great Wall, the Forbidden City (Zǐjìn Chéng,), or "former palace" (GùGōng,)is one of the mustsee sights in Beijing. In the afternoon sunshine,the red walls and golden roof tiles cast a glow across the vast courtyards of this symbol of    China's mighty imperial past.

Admission:RMB 60 (Apr 1 to Oct 31); RMB 40 (Nov 1 to Mar 31)

Hours:8:30am-5:00pm (Apr 1 to Oct 31); 8:30am-4:30pm (Nov 1 to Mar 31)

How to get there:Located directly opposite Tian'anmen Square, any Beijing taxi driver will know "Gù Gōng". Or, save money and take Metro Line 1 to the Tian'anmen West Station or Tian'anmen East Station.  

Phone: (86 10) 6513 2255     

Website: www.dpm.org.cn/

Summer Palace   (Beijing)

An excellent expression of China's imperial spirit, the Summer Palace (Yíhé Yuán,) should be explored at leisure, even if it means setting aside a full day just to wander around soaking up the atmosphere. That said, if you're short on time, even a few hours exploring the halls, courtyards, pavilions, temples and wooded hillsides of this opulent lakeside retreat should prove a highlight of your Beijing visit.

Admission:RMB 50 in off-season; RMB 60 in peak season 

Hours:6:30am-6pm in peak season (1st Apr to 31st Oct); 7am-5pm in off-season 

How to get there:The Summer Palace is west of the Metro Line 4 Xiyuan Station or south of Beigongmen Station.  

Phone:(86 10) 6288 1144  

Website: www.summerpalace-china.com/

Great Wall of China at Badaling   (Beijing)

Only a 70 km (44 mi) drive from Beijing, Badaling (Bādálǐng,) is the most visited section of the Great Wall. Constructed during the Ming Dynasty, Badaling underwent extensive reconstruction during the 1950s and 1980s and now features amenities that invading barbarians would certainly kill for, from cablecar rides to snack stands, caged bears, souvenir shops and restaurants, not to mention airconditioned tour bus travel down the Badaling Expressway, which links this length of wall to the capital.

Admission:RMB 45 in peak season; RMB 40 in off-season (half-price for students)

Hours:7am-6pm daily in winter, 6am-8pm daily in summer

How to get there:Tourist Bus no. 919, departing from Desheng Men (Déshèng Mén,; near Metro Line 2 Jishuitan Station) heads directly to Badaling. Many arrange transportation or Badaling day tours through hotels or via agents. A private driver will give you more flexibility than signing up with a group, but you pay for it.  

Phone:(86 10) 6912 1383  / 6912 2222

Website: www.badaling.gov.cn/language/en.asp

Sanlitun   (Beijing)

Bars, restaurants and shops line the streets of the Sānlǐtún, also often referred to as the Sanlitun Entertainment Area, Sanlitun Embassy Area and, tellingly, the Sanlitun Bar Street.

Admission:Free

Hours:24 hours daily

How to get there:Line 10 Tuanjiehu Subway Station is the nearest, but it's still few blocks east of the action. The intersections of Sanlitun Lu and Dongzhimenwai Dajie or Sanlitun and Nóngzhǎnguǎn Lùwill put you in a good spot to go from on foot. Some of the best bars are further south on Sanlitun Nan Lu, just east of Worker's Stadium. 

798 Art Zone   (Beijing)

A former equipment factory complex constructed in a Bauhaus style by a Chinese-German-Russian team led by East German architects and engineers in the 1950s,798 Art Zone (QījiǔbāYìshùqū, 798) is now home to Beijing's bestknown contemporary art community. It is also known as 798 Art District, Factory 798 and Dashanzhi Art District.

Admission:Free (special exhibitions may charge)

Hours:10am-5pm daily

How to get there:Accessible via Lanes 2 and 4 off Jiǔxiānqiáo Lùin Chaoyang District , just south of the Dàshānziqiáo flyover, 798 is about a 20minute drive (RMB 30 to 35 taxi ride) from both the city center and Beijing International Airport. Bus Nos. 403, 418, 629, 688 and 909 all serve 798. Map.  

Phone:(86 10) 8457 2188     

Website: www.china.org.cn/english/798/236196.htm