Beijing - some top sights and attractions (Sights & Attractions in Beijing)

Member Name: cezzybunny

Product:	Sights & Attractions in Beijing
Date:	14/09/09 (14 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Pretty, friendly people, lots to see and do

Disadvantages: Some sights are very busy on weekends in summer

Wow, Beijing, where to start. Ok, the place is massive. Pack your walking shoes, and a rucksack to carry all the water you'll need to drink. There are attractions galore in Beijing, and unless you're some kind of martyr, accept that you can try and cram too much into a day.

Some sights, like Tiananmen Square (free) can be "done" relatively quickly, however if you want to see Chairman Mao's body (also free), then add an hour or so on for queuing. Then there's the Forbidden City, ancient home of the emperors and government. This costs £6 to get into the main complex, and you could wander round here for hours, though 2 hours were enough for me and my chum. We did these sights on a Saturday, and they were heaving with Chinese tourists. Going midweek, or out of season may be better.

My personal highlights however weren't seeing the main sights and attractions of Bejing, but wandering around the hutongs, the backstreets, picking food off menus we couldn't understand (a fun, cheap, but potentially hazardous game).

From Beijing it is very easy to get to the Great Wall. Tour companies will try and sell you this trip for about £40, but we went to Mutianyu independently for less than £15 each. We caught a bus to Huairou, then got a taxi to drive the three of us to the wall, and the driver waited for us for about 2-3 hours. This section of the wall was pretty quiet, as it was a Monday morning, I've heard that Simatai is quieter still, but trickier to get to.

Another couple of sights we really enjoyed were Beihai park, which has got some beautiful corners and architecture, admission £1. It's next to a big lake, which was a nice space after the business of the Forbidden City. Also recommended is the Temple of Heaven. The building itself is pretty busy, but the surrounding park was lovely, and had locals doing some odd hobbies, includng karaoke, and horsehead fiddle playing....

FInally, the public transport system in Beijing is very good - cheap and clean. Catch the subways, but check which stations have been completed - some are still being completed!

Summary: Go!