Ascott The Residence

Attractions

Chairman Mao Memorial Hall

Chairman Mao's mausoleum is located at the southern side of Tian'anmen Square. There is an overwhelming sense of awe among the queues of Chinese tourists coming to pay homage to Mao's embalmed corpse. Opens daily from 8:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Free entry.

Daguanyuan (Great View Garden)

Those familiar with the 18th century Chinese classic, The Dream of the Red Chamber, by Cao Xueqin, will definitely delight in this replica of the family gardens depicted in the novel. Though Daguanyuan has a distinct old-world air about it, work on the garden only began in 1984, and was completed in 1988.

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. more

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. more

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. more

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. more

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. more

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.

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. more

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. more

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. more

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. more

Beijing Aquarium

A wonderland of aquatic discovery - there is no better way to be acquainted with the exotic and unique oceanic creatures than at the Beijing Aquarium! The aquarium, which coincidently is the world’s largest inland aquarium, is also the largest aquarium in Asia. more

Ancient Observatory

In an era where watching the celestial bodies was achieved by only the naked eye, the Ancient Observatory is an excellent example of a pretelescopic observatory. Built during the Ming Dynasty, the observatory was completed in 1442, with astronomical instruments that date to 1227. As a museum that belongs to the Beijing Planetarium, this popular tourist attraction in Beijing is a must visit when in the vicinity of Jianguomen Bridge. more

Prince Gong Mansion

This palatial residence was built in the mid-15th century encompassing over 6 hectares. The architecture and landscaping of the beautiful house and gardens encapsulate some of the best in traditional Qing art forms. Today, it is the only princely mansion in China open to public viewing and also holds the prestige of being one of the biggest quadrangles in the world. more

Chaoyang Theatre Acrobatics Show

Flawlessly portraying the dexterous skills of the human body, acrobatics is recognised as a traditional performance art in China. Reflecting its long heritage in Chinese culture, it has garnered a wide appreciation across the world, spurring a number of world-class acrobatic troupes throughout its major cities. Considered as an interactive form of performing arts, the Chaoyang Theatre Acrobatics Show is perhaps the most well-known acrobatic troupe, critically acclaimed for their highly entertaining Flying Acrobatic Show. more

Woman Street

Woman Street, also known as the Lady Street is the largest clothes market in Beijing. Boasting a much better shopping environment than other wholesale markets in the city, , the market also has several sections offering gardening supplies and plants in addition to its flower market and a fish market. more