II. Sightseeing around Beijing

Beijing, the capital of the People’s Republic of China, is the center of national politics, culture, transport, tourism and international exchanges. The modern Beijing has experienced over 3000 years of operation and is renowned as one of the four ancient capital cities in China. Cultural relics, visible all over the city, remind visitors of the glory and splendor of the past. Thanks to this rich cultural heritage, Beijing is also acknowledged as the central nerve of Chinese academia with the concentration of established universities and institutions. In Beijing, what you see and feel is not only the ancient empire's majestic solemnity, but also the modern city's trendy downtown. A strong modern breath is blowing on your face once you set foot in Beijing. With the 29th Olympic Games in 2008, Beijing has once again demonstrated her enchanting charisma in front of the whole world. The following are some of the must-go tourist attractions in Beijing.

1. Revisiting Beijing's Past
1) Tiananmen and Tiananmen Square: Located in the center of Beijing, Tiananmen Square is the largest square in the world. On October 1,1949, the square was where the People's Republic of China was inaugurated. Adjacent to Tiananmen Square are the Forbidden City, the National Museum of China, the Great Hall of People’s Congress, the National Center for the Performing Arts and the Qianmen Street.

2) The Forbidden City: The Forbidden City is China's most imposing architectural masterpiece. It represents many aspects of China's long history and is the largest museum of oriental art in the world. Twenty-four emperors of the Ming and Qing Dynasties once lived there.

3) The Great Wall: Construction of the Great Wall began in the 7th century B.C.. This magnificent wonder extends for more then 6,000 kilometers.There are several streches of the Great Wall in Beijing, the most best eximious representation of the Ming Great Wall is the Badaling Great Wall, in the north of Beijing. As the Chinese saying goes, “The man who have not climbed The Great Wall is not the true man.”

4) The Temple of Heaven: Located in the southeast of Beijing, the Temple of Heaven was built in 1420. Ming and Qing emperors went there to worship heaven and pray for good harvests. Different from the Forbidden City with yellow tiles and red walls, this temple adopts blue as its major color, suggesting the sky.

5) The Summer Palace: Summer Palace has a history of over eight hundred years. It was the place where the imperial families of the Qing Dynasty handled government affairs, spent summer time, celebrated birthdays and simply came for relaxation.

6) The Yonghegong Temple: The temple is the largest lamasery in Beijing built in 1694.

7) The Beihai Park: Known for its beauty and honored as a jeweled palace in the heart of elfland, Beihai Park served as an imperial garden through five dynasties of Liao, Jin, Yuan, Ming and Qing.

8) Museums: To understand the past of China in general and Beijing in particular, it is advised to visit some of the best museums in Beijing, like Capital Museum of China (website:http://www.capitalmuseum.org.cn/en/index.htm) and China Military Museum (address: No.9 Fuxing Road, Haidian District, Beijing, China ).

2. Tasting Beijing's Modernity
1) Beijing CBD: Beijing Central Business District standings on both sides of the east end of the Changan Street. Home to hundreds of Chinese headquarters of multinational corporations, both Chinese and foreign, the CBD is also known for its architectural modernity.

2) Beijing Financial Street: Aiming to be China’s Wall Street, Beijing Financial Street, after more than 25 years of development, has become China’s center of financial administration and business.

3) Zhongguan Cun: Located in the northwest of Beijing, Zhongguan Cun is the focal point of hi-tech research and development and business in Beijing and China. It is known as China’s Silicon Valley.

4) Beijing Olympic Park: Beijing Olympic Park is the core area where the 2008 Olympic Games were held. It is home to the Beijing National Stadium (the Bird’s Nest), the Beijing National Aquatics Centre (the Water Cube) and China Nationalities Museum (the Chinese Ethnic Culture Park). Since the 2008 Olympics, the Olympic Park has quickly become a new tourist attraction in Beijing.

5) Shicha Lake: The Shicha Lake area is known for well-preserved royal family residences and Hutong. It has become the most popular bar area in Beijing. The Shicha Lake area shows a harmonious coexistence of tradition and modernity.