Ascott The Residence

Attractions

Chairman Mao Memorial Hall

Considered one of the 100 most influential people of all time by TIME magazine, Mao Tse Tung is the founding father of the Chinese Communist Party and the leader who helped shape China into an industrialised power house to be reckoned with. As a tribute to the revolutionary leader, against his wishes of cremation he was preserved in a capacious mausoleum known as the Chairman Mao Memorial Hall. more

Great Bell Temple

The biggest bell in China is located on the grounds of this temple. The bell, cast in 1406, weighs a hefty 46.5 tons and is 6.75 metres tall. It is embossed with over 227,000 Chinese characters, which is a translation of the Buddhist sutras. Apparently, its chimes can be heard up to 50 kilometres away.

Jingshan Park

Jingshan Park is a hilly oasis, which offers a magnificent panoramic view of the capital and the Forbidden City for those who manage to climb to the summit. On the east of the park is a locust tree where Chongzhen, the last Ming emperor, hanged himself in 1644 after discovering that the peasant rebels were storming the city. Entrance fee is applicable.

Natural History Museum

Situated west of Tiantan is the biggest natural history museum in China. The exhibits cover flora and fauna, ancient fauna, and human evolution. Perhaps the most popular exhibit in this museum is a complete dinosaur skeleton. Some of the exhibits were donated by the British Museum and the American Museum of Natural History. The museum is open from 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., every day except Monday. Entrance fee is applicable.

Song Qingling Museum

Madam Song Qingling was the wife of Dr Sun Yat Sen, considered by many Chinese as the founding father of China. Her large residence has been converted into a museum. It contains personal items and pictures of historical significance, dedicated to the memories of both the illustrious lady and her husband.

Summer Palace

The Summer Palace is packed to the gunwales in summer with Beijing residents taking full advantage of Kunming Lake which takes up three-quarters of the park. The main building is the lyrically named Hall of Benevolence & Longevity, while along the north shore is the Long Corridor, so named because it's, well, long. There's over 700 metres (2300 ft) of corridor, filled with mythical paintings and scenes. If some of the paintings have a newish patina, that's because many of the murals were painted over during the Cultural Revolution.

The Forbidden City

The Forbidden City, which was off-limits to most of the world for 500 years, is the biggest and best preserved cluster of ancient buildings in China. The old world of beautiful concubines and emperors, eunuchs and conspicuous wealth still hovers around the lush gardens, courtyards, pavilions and great halls of the palace. Most of the buildings are post-18th century; there have been periodic losses due to an injudicious mix of lantern festivals and Gobi winds, invaders and looters alike. A permanent restoration squad takes about 10 years to renovate its 720,000 square metres, 800 buildings and 9,000 rooms, by which time it is time to start all over again. Opens daily from 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Entrance fee is applicable.

The Great Wall Of China

The Great Wall, as a metaphor, has gone through a few restorations in its time. When it was originally built 2,000 years ago by the Qin dynasty it was a sturdy "No Trespassing" sign directed at neighbouring kingdoms. During the Ming Dynasty, the wall was reinforced to defend against the Manchus, a nomadic tribe from the north. The Great Wall proved impenetrable until a Ming defector opened the gate and let the Manchus in, allowing them to establish the Qing Dynasty. For centuries after that it remained neglected and forgotten, until 18th-century Europeans set out to be infatuated with it. Today it's a tourist attraction, half Wonder of the World and has its regular supply of visitors. The majority of which climb the wall at Badaling, while others prefer to experience the wall far from the crowd and travel a little farther afield and take a walk on the wilder side of the Huanghua section, 60 kilometres (35mi) north of Beijing. It's a classic and well-preserved example of Ming defence with high and wide ramparts, intact parapets and sturdy beacon towers. more

The Ming Tombs

The Ming Tombs are generally combined with a visit to the Great Wall. As its name suggests, they are the last resting place of the 13 emperors of the Ming Dynasty.

The Temple of Heaven

This dazzling temple marks the heart of imperial symbolism, where the emperor, the Son of Heaven, prayed for good harvests. Opens daily from 6:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Entrance fee is applicable.

Tiananmen Square

Forever sullied, Tiananmen Square lies at the heart of Beijing, and is a vast desert of pavestones and photo booths. Though it was a gathering place and the site of government offices in the imperial days, Tiananmen Square is Mao's creation, as is Chang'an Jie – the street leading onto it. Today the square is a place for people to wander and fly kites or buy balloons for the kids. Surrounding the square is a mish-mash of monuments past and present.

Yonghe Gong

Located in Yonghegong Dajie, a little touristy, but worth the journey for the colourful halls, mandalas and notable display of statuary. Opens daily from 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Entrance fee is applicable.

Workers Stadium

Beijing holds a prime position in the Republic of China’s history, and this is clearly evident from the architecture that can be found around the city. As one of the most ancient cities of China, Beijing holds historical relics that sit amicably beside the architectural wonders that stand today. Hosting the Summer Olympics of 2008, this nation took great efforts to revamp and ensure that their stadiums and facilities were of supreme standards. One such architectural construct is the Workers Stadium. more

Beijing Underground City

It took ten years to build the Beijing Underground City, mostly with the help of over 300,000 citizens and the ideology that it would save 40 percent of them in the event of nuclear disaster. Chairman Mao directed the construction that began in 1969. Stretching over an area of 85 square kilometers, this attraction in Beijing was only recently opened to the public in the year 2000. more

Water Cube

The National Aquatics Centre, more fondly known as the Water Cube has become an iconic structure in the world today. Built in preparation for the Beijing Summer Olympics of 2008, the Water Cube was one of the many structures that revolutionised the way we look at a building complex. Even the swimming pool that was used was superior to the average Olympic pool dimensions, which resulted in 25 world records being broken in 2008. more

Beihai Park

This 10th century park is the largest of Chinese gardens yet discovered and has seen the rise and fall of five great dynasties: the Liao, Jin, Yuan, Ming and Qing. The area is home to many masterpieces of Chinese traditional art which can be divided into four segments of sight-seeing importance, which are the Qionghua Islet (found at the centre of the park), the Circular City and the eastern and northern banks of the lake. more

Ritan Park

One of the most peaceful locations in Beijing, Ritan Park is considered to be holy ground where ancient Chinese emperors made offerings to the sun. With a proud history as a religious altar which dates back many centuries, this magnificent park exudes a certain tranquil aura which sets it apart from similar attractions in the city. more

Daguanyuan (Grand View Garden)

The picturesque Daguanyuan, or the Grand View Garden, has become a very popular destination for tourists who visit the Chinese capital. The 13-hectare garden features over 40 scenic sites, bearing testament to the skill of its designers. It features diverse buildings in the classical tradition, including pavilions, palaces, courtyards, rockeries, water features and a nunnery. more