Beijing Capital International Airport 39 min
Houhai (24 min) Picturesque lake known for its shoreline of bustling bars, cafes, souvenir shops & restaurants. Forbidden City (34 min) Completed in 1420, this palace complex with 980 buildings features a museum with art & artifacts. Tiananmen (36 min) Symbolic, famed gateway to the Forbidden City dating to the 15th century but rebuilt many times. Summer Palace (16 min) Lakefront palace renowned for its ornate temples & artworks plus its lavishly landscaped grounds. Kunming Lake (14 min) Covering 3/4 of the palace grounds, this peaceful lake offers boat rides, a hiking trail & tours. The Palace Museum (39 min) Massive palace complex & museum featuring tours, art exhibits & restaurants. Temple of Heaven (40 min) Renowned temple complex from 1420 featuring distinctive circular buildings set in a popular park. Beihai Park (33 min) First opened to the public in 1925, this 69-hectare former imperial park features a massive lake. Beijing Zoo (20 min) Venerable zoo, founded in 1906, with traditional landscaping & native animals such as pandas. National Stadium (21 min) Iconic stadium known as the Bird's Nest built for the Olympics & now hosting concerts & sports. Jingshan Park (33 min) Historic 57-acre park located on a hill & offering views of the Forbidden City. Drum Tower and Bell Tower of Beijing (26 min) Red watchtower reconstructed in 1420, offering views & performances with replica Ming dynasty drums. Tiananmen Square (34 min) Historic, massive city square (one of the world's largest) & meeting place, featuring a 37m obelisk. Yuanmingyuan Park (13 min) Park featuring colorful gardens & ruins dating from 1707 & burned during Second Opium War of 1860. Lama Temple (26 min) Ornate Tibetan Buddhist temple complex built in 1694 & featuring bronze statues & incense burners. |