The Capital of China, Beijing is the cultural and political heart of the nation, making it a logical gateway for exploring one of the world's most vibrant ancient and modern civilizations. Known by English speakers as Peking until the city's name officially reverted back to the Mandarin term for “Northern Capital” in 1949, the contemporary flair that has sprung up around the city's historic landmarks comes as a surprise to many first time visitors lured by the concentration of famous traditional Chinese sights clustered here. But it's precisely this clash of old and new that makes Beijing one of the world's most fascinating destinations.
For six centuries, China was ruled from the Forbidden City, a labyrinthine complex of magnificent dynastic buildings filled with imperial treasures.
Count on spending at least one full day exploring the opulent halls, chambers and rooms of the palatial structures gathered within the imposing walls that once blocked out the masses.
Central Tiananmen Squareis the largest open-air square in the world. Just shy of a half a million square meters, the square lies between the massive Zhengyangmen and Tiananmen gates. The Monument to the People's Heroes and the Mausoleum of Mao Zedong are situated here, as are the Great Hall of the People and the National Museum of China.
Elsewhere, the colorful, historic Qianmen District offers a complex network of traditional Hutongs (or narrow alleyways) full of shops and restaurants to explore. Sample a Chinese hotpot, a Beijing culinary tradition, or attend a traditional acrobatics performance for a glimpse at some age-old moves, still mind-blowing today.
Out of the city center, are the ancient sights of the Temple of Heaven, a shining remnant of architecture and landscape design from the Ming Dynasty, as well as the Yonghe Gong (or Lama Temple) with its ornate fixtures and incense burners. The elegant Summer Palace, sprinkled with still more impressive imperial buildings, is yet another idyllic escape from the city.
No sight, however grand, can compete with The Great Wall, one of the world's most astounding architectural and engineering achievements. Stretching from the Yellow Sea to the Gobi desert, this ancient boundary between civilizations was begun in the 5th century B.C. and was worked on for more than 20 centuries.Beijing is the best base from which to explore the man-made wonder on a day or weekend trip.
United offers daily flights to and from Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK), including the first USA to China Capital to Capital route. Book your next flight to or from Beijing onunited.comand find out how to earn bonus miles when you stay at any Mileage Plus partner hotel or dine at any Mileage Plus partner restaurant in the city. For vacation packages to Beijing including air and accommodation, visitUnitedEscapes®.
