Touring in Beijing

Top Ten World-renowned Tourist Attractions in Beijing
In 1992, Beijing recommended "World Top Ten" after the assessment of scores of specialists and scholars.
1. The Great Wall: The longest defensive city wall in the world.
2. The Imperial Palace: The largest and best-preserved palatial complex existing now.
3. Tian'anmen Square: The largest city-center square in the world.
4. The Temple of Heaven: The largest heaven-worshipping architecture in the world.
5. The Summer Palace: The best-preserved imperial garden in the world that boasts centralized architectural masterpieces as well as scenic beauties.
6. Beihai Park: The imperial park built earliest in the world.
7. Ming Tombs: The best-preserved imperial mausoleum structure buried most emperors.
8. The Site of Peking Man at Zhoukoudian: An ancient human cultural site with most abundant cultural remains, where discovered the fossil of homo erectus and traces of fire-using.
9. Yunju Temple: The temple with the largest collection of stone-carved Buddhist scriptures in the world.
l0. Yongle Bell: The bell with the greatest number of inscriptions in the world.

Do you know Beijing?
• Political center of China
• The milage volume of passenger transport of Beijing subway ranks No. 1 in the whole country.
• Beijing is a city with the highest modernization level of China city infrastructure.
• Capital Airport is the traffic pivot and circulation center of China Aviation.
• The West Railway station is the largest modernized railway passenger transport center in Asia.
• Beijing: Financial resolution center of China.
• Beijing Concert Hall: the most frequently used performance place for solemn music in world:
• Beijing is an area with the densest intellectual resources in China.
• Published newspapers and books ranks No. 1 with a percentage of 36% in the whole country.
• China Art Gallery: the art gallery with the largest scale in China.
• Beijing Aeronautic Museum: the aeronautic museum with the largest scale in China.
• China Aeronautic Museum: the first air force museum in China.
• Imperial Archives (Huangshicheng): the largest state archives in ancient times now existing in China.
• Longcang scripture of Qing dynasty in Zhihua temple is the only intact-preserved longcang scripture in China. It had only printed 200, which is best-preserved. Longcang scripture means to collect all Buddhist scriptures together to store. Longcang scripture is the best-preserved Buddhism Encyclopedia in China.
• The largest pavilion in China: the square pavilion in the Utile Western Paradise Guanyin Hall in Beihai Park was built in the period of Emperor Qianlong, which is 26.8 meters high and supported by 84 huge columns and the construction area amount to 1264 square meters.
• Archway in Ming Tombs: the largest and earliest stone archway now existing in China.
• Seventeen-arch Bridge in the Summer Palace is a bridge with most stone lions in Beijing. There are 544 stone lions all together on it, 59 more than Marco Polo Bridge.
• Marble Boat in the Summer Palace: the largest ancient marble boat In China.
• Beijing Zoo: the largest zoo in China with the most breeds and quantity.
• Yunju Temple: the temple with the largest collection of stone-carved Buddhist scriptures in the world.
• Ming Tombs: the most intact and most centralized mausoleum complex now existing in our country.
• The Temple of Heaven: the largest ancient heaven-worshipping architectural complex now existing in China.
• Chinese earliest collected Taoist scriptures: Legitimate Collected Taoist Scriptures in White Cloud Temple (Baiyunguan), Chinese earliest Dao Scripture collection, 5,305 volume in all, printed by Zhaoyi Supervisor in the tenth Ming Zhengtong year, A.D. 1445.
• Chinese most intact collected scripture ancestral edition: Zhaocheng Jincang in Beijing Library, 7,000 volume in all, the content is consistent with Chinese first big Zhang Scripture.
• Ordination terrace temple (Jietaisi): the largest ordination terrace in China.
• Virtuous harmony theatre building (Dehe Daxilou) in the Summer Palace: the larges ancient theatre building of China.

New sight spots in Beijing
With the advent of Olympic Games, Beijing is changing with each passing day. We are always finding surprising changes on the streets; Beijing is taking on a new look to welcome the Olympic Games with more and more beautiful sceneries...

1. Yuandadu Relics Park (relics of capital city of Yuan Dynasty)
Built on the basis of Yuan Dynasty City Wall, Yuandadu Relics Park is a key scenery project for Beijing Olympics Games. Divided into Haidian Section and Chaoyang Section, it is the largest band shaped park in Beijing with a total length of 9 km. Giant group statues of 19 historical figures like Kublai Khan, Imperial Concubine and Italian traveler Marco Polo represent the "Prosperity of Dadu" in the form of earth city. Group statue "Prosperity of Dadu" has become the largest group statue in Beijing, its harmony with earth city makes Yuandadu City Wall Relics Park a large size "open air art museum", it is also a urban park with the function of disaster prevention and refuge function. Located in the south of Olympic Park, it has become the natural barrier of Olympic Park. Yuandadu City Wall Relics Park will, alter its completion, be in harmony with Olympic Park with its style of green sites, history, human culture and high tech environmental protection and become the first sights for People's Olympic.
- Address: Sight spots of Yuan Dynasty City Wall Relics Park (Haidian Section) are distributed in Xitucheng and Beitucheng, of which, Chengyuanhuaigu, Jimenyanshu, Tiejixiongfeng are located in Xitucheng Section, visitors can arrive by Bus No. 392, 375 and 902; Jicaofenfei, Yinbodeyue, Ziweiruhua, Dadujiandian, Shuiguanxiyi, Jijiangshengshi and Yanyunmuge are located in Beitucheng Section.
- Directions: visitors can arrive by Bus No. 22, 38 and 331

2. Huangchenggen Site Park
Located between Forbidden City and Wangfujing Pedestrian Street, Huangchenggen Site Park is the location of east wall of imperial city of Qing Dynasty. Since Yuan Dynasty, Beijing city has been divided into Forbidden City, Imperial City and Outer City. Forbidden City, currently called Palace Museum, is located in the center, Outer City is along the present 2nd Ring Road and the Imperial City is the middle. There are 7 cultural sites inside the park, which include: map of Beijing of Ming and Qing Dynasty, relics of underground wall base, rebuilt section of imperial city wall, courtyard houses between Dong Chang Lane and Cuihua Lane and statues of Sino-French University, afforestation coverage of the park will be as high as 90%.

3. China Millennium Monument
Built to welcome new millennium, China Millennium Monument is located in the south of Yuyuantan Park with Military Museum in the east and CCTV in the west. Inscription of "China Millennium Monument" by General Secretary Jiang Zemin is engraved on the front side of the monument at the south entrance and inscriptions for China Millennium Monument are engraved on back side of the monument. With total area of 4.5 hectare and building area of 44,000 square meters, main body of China Millennium Monument is comprised of immovable cloisters and rotating monument surface, a pointer of 45 meters pointing to the blue sky is inserted on the upper side of the monument. It will remind you of sundial in Palace Museum. Surface of round altar is "Tianren Square" with an area of 1,700 square meters and inclination angle of 19.4 degree, it rotates one circle a day. It has not only a large open-air stage for performance, but also an exhibition hall of statues of celebrities of past dynasties, exhibition wall for 56 nationalities and world-class large screen projection hall.
- Address: No. 9A, Fuxing Road, Haidian District, Beijing (between CCTV and Military Museum)
- Directions: Military Museum Stop by Bus No. 1,4,33,57,65, 320,337, 728, 827, Special Line 1 and Special Line 5, Military Museum Stop by Subway Line1.

4. Changpu River Park
Officially called Outer Jinshui River, Changpu is originated from Xiyuan zhonghai lake of Imperial City and flows eastwards into Yuhe River along the south wall of Imperial City in front of Tian'anmen Gate Tower. Yuhe River, as the section of Tonghui River after flowing into Dadu, became a watercourse after the stoppage of water transport of grain to capital. In order to retrieve the styles and features of this area, government of Dongcheng District started the construction of Changpu River Park in Mar. 2003, after completion, Changpu River connects with Outer Jinshui River in front of Tian'anmen Gate Tower with a length of 510 meters. Afforestation coverage of the park reaches 65%, with tree and flowers scattered all over the park, making the park full of life. Another highlight of the park is the court architectures with the style of traditional courtyard with building on lour sides in the north side of the park, which is in harmony with the park and gives prominence to the magnificence of Forbidden City.

5. Shijingshan Sculpture Garden
As an artist garden decorated by plants and sculptures, Shijingshan Sculpture Garden boasts of its leading positions in China's garden and park industry. Highlights of the park are over 30 sculptures by teachers and students of Sculpture Department of China Central Academy of Fine Arts allocated into three scenic spots. These sculptures, made of stones, copper and woods or even modern new material, have different styles and diversified subjects. Delicate architectural complex combining the northern and southern architectural styles of China is located in Chunzaoyuan, there are five exhibition rooms in the court, in which, artistic exhibitions on painting and calligraphy, photography, stamp collection, root carving and bonsai are held all year around.
- Address: West Street, Bajiao, Shijingshan District
- Directions: TakeNo.817, 965, 503, 337, 399

6. Nan Guan Park
Built in 1956, Nan Guan Park is the first ecological water garden using reclaimed water. A "reclaimed water treatment station" of over 800 square meters is built inside the park, which supply the water for construction of water spaces, irrigation of trees and flowers and cleaning of park after processing domestic sewage from neighboring residential quarter into first level water. The park is characterized by it subject of "water sights". Water sights of natural lakes, brooks, valleys, fountains and falls are best represented in the small space. Almost all methods used for creating water scenery with fountain in China and abroad are adopted to show poly postures of water.
- Address: Beixiaojie, Dongzhimen, Dongcheng District
- Directions: Take No.18, 24, 106, 107, get off at Xiaojie

Beijing Chongwen District
Chongwen District is the birthplace of Beijing South-City Culture. Although the area is small, many famous scenic spots assemble here. Chongwen District is a gathering place of traditional art wares manufacturers from ancient times, such as enamel, jade ware, engraving, woolen birds and silk flowers. The time-honourned brand Longguxiu Embroidery Store is the largest and oldest silk store in Beijing. The 2 senior authentic roast duck stores, Quanjude and Bianyifang, also locate here. The long and deep historical origin brings the romantic and colorful tourism culture.

1. Temple of Heaven
The Temple of Heaven was originally built in the eighteenth year of Ming Yong Le (1420), occupying an area of 273 hectares. It was rebuilt and reconstructed during the period of Emperor Jiajing in Ming Dynasty and Emperor Qianlong in Qing Dynasty. The building is magnificent and environment is solemn and respectful. It was the place where the emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties worshipped Heaven and prayed for good harvests. The north part of the temple looks like a roundness and the south is looks like a square, which means that the heaven is round and the earth is square. There are two temple walls around the four sides of the Temple, which divided the Temple into the inner part and the outer part. Main buildings assemble in the inner part, including the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests (Qiniandian), the Hall of Imperial Zenith (Huangqiandian), the Circular Mound (Huanqiu), the Imperial Vault of Heaven (Huangqiongyu), the Palace of Abstinence (Zhaigong), Beamless Hall (Wuliangdian), Long Corridor (Changlang) etc. There is also the Echo Wall (Huiyinbi), Triple-sound Stone (Sanyinshi), Seven Star Stone (Qixingshi) etc. Temple of Heaven combines the architecture technology of Ming and Qing Dynasties together. It is a rare Chinese ancient architecture and the largest sacrifice complex in the world. In 1998, the United Nations Educational Scientific and Culture Organization listed it into the "Directory of World Legacy".
- Address: The east of Tianqiao, Chongwen District
- Directions: Take 6, 20, 39 buses or No. 106, 120, tramcar and get off at Tian Tan stop

2. Longtan Park
Long Tan Park occupies an area of 49.2 hectares, including 19.47 hectares water surface. The lake bank with weeping willow winds for over 3700 meters. The hills and islands alternate with each other in the lake and the lake water is so clean. The park is divided into six scenic areas. Long Yin Pavilion Scenic Area is the unique on-water pavilion in the northern parks. Long Tan Scenic Area is composed of 14 hills. Letter-Dragon and Stone Forest Scenic Area is piled up with natural hill stones with stone tablet standing everywhere. Here assemble a lot of letter "Dragon" written by famous calligraphers and celebrities from Qin and Han Dynasties to modern times. Slim and graceful Lotus is full of the pond in July and August every year in Lotus Pond and Flower Island Scenic Area. The Dragon Gate Scenic Area is the water-entrance of the Park. A couple of dragonhead, which are made in white marble, extend from the stonewall of the Dragon Gate. Water gushed out of the dragonhead How into the dragon pond surrounded by rare stones. Wanliutang Scenic Area includes dragon flying in the air as well as well made Nine-Dragon. It integrates culture and garden together.
- Address: No.8 Long Tan Road, Chong Wen District
- Directions: Take No.6, 8, 12, 35, 41, 60, 116 or 807 buses and get off at Beijing Amusement Park stop

3. Mosque in Huashi
Originally built in 1415, Mosque in Flower Market is one of the four ancient Islam mosques in Beijing with an area of 1,797 square meters. The now existing architecture Worship Hall is the largest architecture in the temple. There were texts of Koran on the right and left wall of the Hall, which has not in existence now. An Imperial Edict Pavilion lied to the opposite of the Hall, where kept the Stone Tablet of Emperor Yongzheng originally. Now the tablet has been moved out. There are also Jinggutang, bathing room, Xunyue Platform, Classics Room and Living Room in the Temple. Now except Xun Yue Platform, the oilier architectures are kept integratedly. The now reserved cultural relics in the temple include a "Moslem" wooden inscribed board with the inscription of Prince Yu in the second year of Emperor Kangxi in Qing Dynasty (1663) and a "the Unique" inscribed board in the fifty-second year of Emperor Qianlong (1787). The two boards hang on the walls of the two sides of the open hall. Song Jiaoren and Cai Yuanpei often assemble here for holding meetings secretly during the period of the Revolution of 1911. They support the idea of "to unite the five nations together and develop China cooperatively" proposed by Dr Sun Yat-Sen, and disclose the restore-the-feudalism plot of Yuan Shikai. On July 7,1912, Chinese largest Muslim group with the most influence-China Islam Club was established here. It is the birthplace of Muslim patriotic movement of modern limes.

4. Arrow Tower in Gate Zheng Yang
It is also called Qian Men Arrow Tower and was established in 1439. The architecture formality is brick fort and the city board is 12 meters high. The door opening emerges as arch style, which opens at the middle of the city board. It is the only city gate with door opening in the arrow tower among the nine gates of the Inner City, which are used as specialized path for the vehicles of Emperor and Empress. The arrow tower has 4 floors. There are 94 watch windows on the three sides of east, south and west, which are used for shooting arrows. The arrow tower became a tourist attraction after 1915. In 1976, earthquake happened in Tang Shan and arrow building was destroyed. Beijing cultural relic department in charge repaired comprehensively. 1990, it was formally opened to tourists.
- Address: On the north of Qian Men Wai Street
- Directions: Take subway or No. 17, 22, 20 buses and get off at Qian Men stop or take No. 1 or 4 buses and get off at Tian An Men stop