For history and architecture lovers, China’s capital city provides a treasure trove of attractions. The five UNESCO Heritage Sites in Beijing offer a glimpse into the long and storied history of an entire nation, and you can easily see them all on even a short trip to the city.
Forbidden City. Photo courtesy of Dennis Jarvis via Flickr.
Imperial Palaces of the Ming and Qing Dynasties
The UNESCO-listed Imperial Palaces of the Ming and Qing Dynasties comprise two palace complexes, the Qing Imperial Palaces in Shenyang and the much more famous Ming Palaces in Beijing, otherwise known as the Forbidden City. Closed to outsiders for some 500 years, this massive palace complex contains more than 800 buildings where Ming royalty once roamed. Today, the halls, galleries and courtyards offer a testament to the immense power and wealth of the Ming rulers through displays of furniture, art and artifacts.
The Great Wall. Photo courtesy of Keith Roper via Flickr.
The Great Wall
While not actually in Beijing proper, the Great Wall of China tops many a traveler’s bucket list, and Beijing serves as the most convenient base from which to explore this magnificent architectural feat. Built over a period of more than 1,000 years, the immense fortification quickly became the largest military structure in the world, and it remains an awe-inspiring sight, whether you visit the sections closest to Beijing or spend a day touring the wild Great Wall segments.
Summer Palace. Photo courtesy of Lyn Gateley via Flickr.
Summer Palace
The Summer Palace, built in 1750 and then restored again in 1886, is one of Beijing’s top attractions along with the Forbidden City. Tour the Forbidden City in the summer months, and you’ll quickly understand the need for such a retreat. Dowager Cixi greatly expanded the palace, and while originally her retirement residence, she would later come out of retirement — so to speak — and rule China from the Summer Palace from 1903 to 1908. Today, it’s one of Beijing’s most beautiful places, dotted with pagodas, temples, lakes and gardens where plenty of history played out.
Temple of Heaven in Beijing. Photo courtesy of Marc Dalmulder via Flickr.
Temple of Heaven
The Ming Dynasty Temple of Heaven, founded in the fifteenth century, isn’t really a temple but a sacrificial alter used by China’s emperors to perform rituals to appease the heavens for a good harvest in fall and for a prosperous new year on the night of the Winter Solstice. While the central blue-roofed wooden tower certainly deserves its recognition as the highlight of the site, the surrounding park is also worth exploring, of only for the excellent people watching in the early morning hours, when locals come here to practice tai chi, play card games or dance.
Ming Dynasty Tombs. Photo courtesy of d’n'c via Flickr.
Ming Dynasty Tombs
Of the Ming Dynasty’s 16 emperors, 13 of them were entombed in a valley just outside of Beijing — a site frequently visiting as part of a day trip to the Great Wall. Only three of the tombs are open to visitors, and of those, only one has been excavated, but the visit still provides interesting insight into the burial practices of some of China’s most influential royalty. Also interesting is the Shendao, or Sacred Way; this path leading to the tombs winds for 4.5 miles (7-kilometers) with statues of mythical creatures dotted along the way, thought to help repel evil spirits.
