Beijing
Grand temples, imperial palaces
and chic shopping malls
Beijingers know the many faces of their city, from peaceful pagodas in lush green parks like Jingshan to buzzing, futuristic business districts. It’s always humbling to stand in the vast expanse of Tiananmen Square, or wander down wide boulevards like Chang’an Avenue. Meanwhile exploring the endless alleys of the Forbidden City makes you feel like a welcomed dignitary.
Contemplate the celestial perfection of the Temple of Heaven, or the historic power that still reposes at the Mausoleum of Mao Zedong. Minutes later, you can be surveying trays of deep-fried scorpions on sticks in Wangfujing, or browsing the glitzy boutiques and mega malls of Sanlitun with the city’s dedicated upmarket shoppers.
It would take a lifetime or more to fully appreciate the 3,000 years of cultural treasures amassed at Beijing’s museums and galleries. Porcelain and jade artefacts attest to the imperial past at the National Museum of China, while modern art installations fill the post-industrial hangars of the Beijing 798 Art Zone. You’ll also find edgy creativity bursting from the warrens of narrow hútòngs and hidden courtyards around colourful Yonghe Gong Lama Temple.
Locals tend to agree that the best of Chinese culture may well be reserved for the dinner table. The culinary wealth of the capital is sourced from every corner of the country. Favourites like Beijing duck and the huŏguō hotpot, with a simmering broth or soup flavoured with piquant Sichuan peppers at its heart, never lose their appeal.
Our hotels in Beijing
Discover also
Dongguan
An intriguing blend of laid-back charm and pulsating energy, Dongguan sits on the Pearl River Delta. The catalyst for the Opium Wars is fast becoming an eco-destination, thanks to the necklace of greenery wrapped around its heart.
Foshan
With a seamless blend of modern energy and ancient customs, Foshan is a 21st-century powerhouse backed by 5,000 years of history. As well as being the city of Bruce Lee, it’s also home to rich musical and creative traditions.
Guangzhou
As a bright star in China’s economic boom, many people come to Guangzhou on business, but return to explore its traditional shopping streets and incense-infused temples, or sample Cantonese yum cha eateries at their best.
Jinan
Jinan is known for its artesian wells, many of which are set in serene parks, but it’s also a gateway to China’s spiritual heartland. The home of Confucius and the country’s most sacred mountain are close to the “City of
Pingdu
A gateway to scenic wildlife areas and mountain trails, manufacturing hub Pingdu lies at the heart of Shandong’s productive agricultural belt, so it’s no surprise that residents enjoy fine teas and cuisine using local
Qingdao
The thought of Qingdao brings beer and beaches to mind, but scratch beneath the surface of this Yellow Sea resort, and you’ll find delicate cuisine featuring locally caught seafood, cute colonial streets and revered mountains.
Shanghai
A thriving cultural, culinary and commercial centre, Shanghai is the engine room of China’s economic boom. The pulsating metropolis is a place where ancient sites like Jing’an Temple sit comfortably beside ultra-modern towers.
Shenzhen
A new economic powerhouse with an eye to the future, Shenzhen has risen at breakneck speed beside the Pearl River. Peep behind the gloss to rediscover a city that continues to cherish its Buddhist heritage and Cantonese cuisine.
Wuhan
The capital of Hubei province, Wuhan draws crowds with its Yellow Crane Tower, a replica of the Qing-era marvel, but hidden wonders await in this huge city.
Xi'an
Best known for its terracotta warriors, Xi’an once marked the eastern end of the fabled Silk Road. Brimming with historic landmarks, from the Bell and Drum Towers to the Great Mosque, the ancient city also embraces modern China.
Xiamen
While well known for the Nanputuo Temple and its verdant gardens, along with the historic Hulishan Cannon Fort, the cosmopolitan oasis of Xiamen is fast becoming popular for its blend of beachside charm and modern city living.
Zhengzhou
Tree-lined avenues and restaurants serving Henanese cuisine set the tone for modern Zhengzhou. Yet kung fu and Bronze Age artefacts also come to mind when you think of the city, with its Shaolin temple and ancient ruins located
Ürümqi
Central Asia and China are juxtaposed in Ürümqi’s lively bazaars and shopping malls, Silk Road ruins and modern skyscrapers, and its minarets and pagodas. Uyghur heritage lends the city and its cuisine a unique flavour.
