Beijing Sights and Landmarks Guide, China

Beijing Bound

There are plenty of reasons to visit Beijing.  The home of Kung Fu, noodles and Feng Shui is the hottest tourist destination, if not because of the Beijing Olympics, because it has officially opened itself to the world.  So get your shoes on because it’s the best time to take a plane ride bound for Beijing.

Traveling to Beijing

To get to China’s capital means passing through the Beijing Capital International Airport, which is 20 kilometers from downtown Beijing.  From here you can catch a cab, which will take you to your destination via the airport’s expressway.  On your way out, make sure you’ve exchanged your cash to Chinese Yuans or Renminbi, which is the country’s form of currency.

Getting Around Beijing

Like any tourist, it’s important to have a tourist map handy.  A simple trick to going around Beijing, especially if you don’t speak the language, is to have someone who speaks English write down your destination in Chinese on a piece of paper, which you can in turn show to a cab driver who can get you there.  Aside from taxis, you can go around the city on a bus or through the subway.

The Sites of Beijing

Apart from the magnificent Great Wall, which is two and a half hours away from the Beijing, there is much more that this city offers.  Every tourist should visit the Forbidden City and marvel at its architecture and culture by laying witness to how the Imperial Chinese court had lived.

Take part in Beijing’s rich history by visiting Tiananmen Square, where Mao’s mausoleum is located.  This momentous square is also considered the biggest in the world.

Do check out Beijing’s symbols of modernization by visiting two architectural wonders called The Bird’s Nest and the Water Cube, which are significant infrastructures to the Beijing Olympics.  These infrastructures represent China opening its doors to the world.

The Sounds of Beijing

The Sanlitun district, where most of the international embassies are located, is a bustling place by day but by night this district transforms itself into Beijing’s nightlife capital.  The strip is lined with an assortment of interesting bars guaranteed to fulfill the bar hopper in you.

If you’re in the mood for some country western music, head on out to Nashville bar but if live music is what gets you going, there’s the popular Minders Café nearby.  While you’re there, don’t forget to visit the Here and Now Gallery Café which is not only a bar that plays alternative music, it’s an also an art gallery that features interesting modern art pieces, which pays tribute to the Chinese avant-garde.

Right now is the best time to visit Beijing and witness the city as it opens its arms to modern cultures and still manage to hold on to their own.  It’s a great place to visit, to explore and just simply to be entertained.