Beijing is the capital of China and the country's political centre, located in Beijing Municipality in northern China. It is a city where long history sits close to the everyday life of a modern metropolis, and it is also known as Peking, or by its Chinese name, 北京 (Běijīng).
What to see
The city is home to several of China's best-known historic sites. Among them are the Forbidden City, the Temple of Heaven, and Tiananmen Square. Visitors who want to understand the city's imperial and political story will find these a natural starting point, and each makes a distinct kind of visit.
What kind of visit it makes
Beijing works well for those interested in culture and history. The city has thousands of years of history behind it, and its cultural life is wide-ranging, so a stay can be shaped around the sites you care most about. Because the historic core is spread across a large city, it helps to plan your route in advance and decide which places matter most to you.
- Historic sites such as the Forbidden City, the Temple of Heaven, and Tiananmen Square
- A long record of cultural and political history
- A large city with plenty to explore beyond the main landmarks
Whether Beijing is the right destination depends on your interests. If you want to see China's capital and its historic heart, and to spend time in a major cultural centre, it is well worth the trip.
