Beijing

:Peking is also the name of an asteroid, see 2045 Peking.

Tourism

:Main article: Tourist attractions of Beijing

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Despite the turmoil of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries?including damage caused by European military intervention, the Japanese invasion of WWII and the Cultural Revolution?and the recent intense urbanisation and transformation, including the demolition of hutongs, Beijing still maintains tourist attractions that are rich in history.

Related Topics:
Nineteenth - Twentieth - European military intervention - Japanese invasion of WWII - Cultural Revolution - Urbanisation - Hutong

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Although more known for its political significance in the West, Tian'anmen (The Gate of Heavenly Peace) remains the spiritual center of China and one of the most important tourist sites of Beijing, both by itself and as the main entrance to the Forbidden City. Other world-renowned sites include the Badaling section of the Great Wall of China, the Summer Palace, and the Temple of Heaven.

Related Topics:
Tian'anmen - Forbidden City - Badaling - Great Wall of China - Summer Palace - Temple of Heaven

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Buildings, Monuments, and Landmarks

• Sections of the Great Wall (World Heritage Site) at:
• Badaling
• Juyongguan
• Mutianyu
• Simatai
• Jinshanling
• Jiankou
• Forbidden City (World Heritage Site)
• Tiananmen Square, site of the Tiananmen Square protests of May 4, 1919, 1976, and 1989
• Tiananmen (Gate of Heavenly Peace)
• Great Hall of the People (National Legislature)
• The National Museum of China
• Monument to the People's Heroes
• Mausoleum of Mao Zedong
• The Summer Palace (World Heritage Site)
• Ruins of the Old Summer Palace
• Peking Man Site at Zhoukoudian (World Heritage Site)
• The Ming Dynasty Tombs (World Heritage Site)
• Bell Tower and Drum Tower
• Historic Hutongs and Siheyuans in many older neighborhoods
• Lugou Bridge (Marco Polo Bridge)
• Prince Gong Mansion (Gong Wang Fu)
• Zheng Yici Peking Opera Theatre
• Liulichang Culture Street
• Beijing Ancient Observatory

Temples, Cathedrals, and Mosques

• Temple of Heaven (World Heritage Site), situated in the southern area of urban Beijing
• Temple of Earth, located in northern Beijing
• Temple of Sun, situated in the eastern area of urban Beijing
• Temple of Moon, located in western Beijing
• Tanzhe Temple
• Jietai Temple
• Yunju Temple
• Yonghegong (Lama Temple)
• Guangji Temple
• Confucius Temple
• Great Bell Temple
• Five Pagoda Temple
• Temple of Azure Clouds
• Temple of Recumbent Buddha
• White Dagoba Temple in Beihai Park
• Badachu
• Immaculate Conception Cathedral
• Holy Saviour Church
• Niujie Mosque

Parks and Gardens

• Beihai Park
• Shichahai
• Jingshan Park
• Beijing World Park
• The Fragrant Hills (Xiangshan)
• The Grandview Garden (Daguanyuan)
• Beijing Botanical Garden
• Taoranting Park

Shopping and Commercial Districts

• Wangfujing: Beijing's most upscale, globalized shopping district
• Xidan
• Zhongguancun
• Yizhuang
• Fuxingmen
• Fuchengmen
• Jin Yuan Mall

Hotels and lodging

In first two decades following the PRC's foundation in 1949, Beijing had virtually no hotels (at least by Western standards), due to economic and social conditions at the time. One system of institution providing a place for individuals traveling to Beijing from other locations to spend the night was the zhaodaisuo (literally, "accommodation centre"). Zhaodaisuo were subordinate to state organisations or state organs. Older ones had communal public conveniences and amenities. Some zhaodaisuos still remain in use today.

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In the late 1970s, Beijing, alongside much of China during the period of reform and economic opening under Deng Xiaoping, saw greater attempts at attracting and catering to international business. A large number of hotels and other facilities to accommodate business, tourist, and other visitors began to be constructed. Today, given Beijing's size and status as one of the most frequently visited and economically, politically, and culturally important cities in Asia, a great number of hotels exist, many rivalling the highest international standards.

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The most well-known hotel is the Beijing Hotel, which is state-owned. Other notable hotels are the Great Wall Sheraton Hotel, the Jianguo Hotel, the China World Hotel, the St. Regis, Grand Hyatt at Oriental Plaza and the Peninsula Palace Hotel, operated by the Hong Kong-based Peninsula Group.

Related Topics:
Beijing Hotel - Great Wall Sheraton Hotel - Jianguo Hotel - China World Hotel - St. Regis - Grand Hyatt at Oriental Plaza - Peninsula Group

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Youth hostels do exist are few in number. There is one near the centre of Beijing, where accommodations are located four floors below ground level.

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