Beijing has a vast and rich history dating back nearly 3,000 years. The city had a truly flourishing time under Kublai Khan in AD 1215. Imperial palaces were built, streets widened, temples built and canals finished. Since then, the city has continued to grow and its popularity has today reached an unimaginable scale and wealth. It remains the unrivaled political and cultural capital of China. Beijing is a national treasure of museums, government buildings, religious temples, gardens, and parks. Here one can expect to find the presence of the conflicting essence of modern China coexisting with an ancient culture. Where else can you find a common view of a three thousand year old temple that shares space with crystal malls? fast food outlets and punk clubs competing with local teahouses and opera houses. The city is surrounded by a 30-foot-high wall and a 20-foot-deep moat. One must visit the ‘Jing Shan Park’ to enjoy one of the most perfect panoramic views of the city. The well-known Tiananmen Square is worth a visit, especially as it is the venue for both “organized events” and “unorganized events”.

Beijing has a plethora of attractions to keep the tourist busy. A structure that is often considered the quintessential Chinese temple is the ‘Temple of Heaven’ which was completed during the Ming dynasty. The unique aspect of this temple is that it has incorporated some of the best architectural talent to be found in the nation without using a nail anywhere. The Beijing Summer Palace is wonderfully located within a park whose dimensions are roughly the size of Central Park in New York. The unique aspect of this park is that almost three quarters of its surface is water. There are three lakes within the grounds of the Summer Palace from which one can see beautiful sweeping views of man-made hills and gardens. The Chinese have turned these grounds into a truly magnificent refuge. To get a glimpse of history, you need to visit Prince Gong’s mansion, which has earned the reputation of being the most beautiful and accurate depiction of Qing Dynasty China today. The city also boasts a number of museums, some of which can be included in the itinerary, while others can be visited if time permits. The biggest draws of a visit to the Beijing Zoo are the panda exhibit and a magnificent saltwater aquarium. Pilgrimage tourists will be glad they made it to Beijing because it gives them a chance to see the magnificent ancient temples. All the temples have striking features. The most prominent are the Lama Temple, which has a 55-foot Buddha carved from a block of sandalwood. The Confucius Temple is located in a peaceful environment.

There is more to what Beijing has to offer than meets the eye! It’s almost hard to really find a place where the standard of living for so many people has risen so quickly. The amazing transformation is there for tourists and travelers to take advantage of. To see these attractions in full, advance room reservations can be made at any hotel in Beijing China. The best hotels in Beijing include Kerry Center Hotel Beijing, Capital Hotel Beijing, Grand Hotel Beijing, Beijing International Hotel and Crowne Plaza Hotel Beijing.

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