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.

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 Qing dynasty it was a sturdy "No Trespassing" sign directed at neighbouring kingdoms. 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.

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.