Things to do in North China

Activities, attractions and tours

Jinshanling Great Wall showing mountains, heritage architecture and landscape views
Jinshanling Great Wall showing mountains, tranquil scenes and landscape views
Jinshanling Great Wall featuring heritage elements
Jinshanling Great Wall which includes tranquil scenes and heritage elements
Jinshanling Great Wall featuring a sunset, landscape views and tranquil scenes

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Top places to visit

1. Wangfujing Street

There have been commercial premises on Wangfujing Street since the middle of the Ming Dynasty hundreds of years ago, and a wander down this pedestrianised boulevard today will take you past most of Beijing's best-known and most-loved outlets.
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Wangfujing Street which includes a city and street scenes

2. Tiananmen Square

Tiananmen Square is one of the most iconic – and biggest – squares in the world. Palatial gates, ancient architecture and fascinating history draw hundreds of thousands of visitors every year from China and beyond. This gigantic plaza is at the heart of Beijing in more ways than one and is enclosed by many of the city’s most important attractions.
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From national celebrations to mass protests, Beijing’s main square has been the scene of many of China’s most important gatherings and is a must-see for any visitor.

3. Forbidden City

Beijing’s Forbidden City stretches over a massive 720,000 square metres, and was home to the emperors of China for almost five centuries. It has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is listed by the same organisation as the largest collection of ancient wooden structures in the world.
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Forbidden City showing a lake or waterhole, a river or creek and heritage architecture

4. Great Wall of China

The Great Wall of China Juyongguan is the closest part of these ancient fortifications to Beijing. This part, built between 770 B.C. and 221 B.C., is one of the principle mountain passes that the vast wall goes through and is called the Juyongguan Pass. Tour the historic architecture and take in the stunning vistas over the Jundu and Taihang mountains and valley.
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Great Wall of China showing night scenes, a monument and heritage elements

5. Temple of Heaven

In the south-eastern Dongcheng District of Beijing, nestled behind high walls, sits a complex of religious buildings known as the Temple of Heaven. Originally built as a ceremonial centre for dynastic emperors during the 1400s, this huge site has been open to the public since 1918 and is now a favourite tourist attraction and UNESCO World Heritage Site.
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Temple of Heaven featuring a temple or place of worship, religious aspects and a city

6. Summer Palace

The Summer Palace on the shore of Kunming Lake was built as a retreat in the 1750s by China’s last great ruling dynasty, the Qing. It later became their principal residence and, although it suffered damage during the Second Opium War and the Boxer Rebellion, it has gone on to become one of Beijing’s most-loved attractions.
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Summer Palace featuring heritage elements

What to do in North China

Popular places to visit

Wangfujing Street which includes a city and street scenes

Wangfujing Street

4/5(46 reviews)

Shop ‘til you drop on one of Beijing’s best-loved shopping strips, where you’ll find everything from designer labels to cheap souvenirs.

Wangfujing Street
Great Wall of China

Great Wall of China

4.5/5(2 reviews)

After visiting Great Wall of China, make a plan to see the other sights and activities in Huairou. Amble around the area's parks or visit its monuments.

Great Wall of China
Forbidden City showing a lake or waterhole, a river or creek and heritage architecture

Forbidden City

4.5/5(68 reviews)

This magnificent imperial palace is one of the most popular tourist sites in all of China, and is filled with many centuries of culture and art.

Forbidden City
Tiananmen Square

Tiananmen Square

4/5(70 reviews)

From national celebrations to mass protests, Beijing’s main square has been the scene of many of China’s most important gatherings and is a must-see for any visitor.

Tiananmen Square
Great Wall of China showing night scenes, a monument and heritage elements

Great Wall of China

5/5(2 reviews)

See terracotta warriors, ancient temples and Ming Dynasty architecture at the Juyongguan section of one of the most spectacular tourist attractions in the world.

Great Wall of China
Sanlitun Road

Sanlitun Road

4/5(7 reviews)

During your trip to Beijing, you can do some window-shopping at Sanlitun Road. While in this walkable area, you can savour the top-notch restaurants.

Sanlitun Road
Temple of Heaven featuring a temple or place of worship, religious aspects and a city

Temple of Heaven

4.5/5(52 reviews)

Behind the high walls of this peaceful complex lie some of the most impressive temples in Beijing, where human sacrifices were once held to appease ancient gods.

Temple of Heaven
Summer Palace featuring heritage elements

Summer Palace

4.5/5(53 reviews)

This majestic former summer residence of the Qing Dynasty is now a world heritage site and favourite Beijing attraction.

Summer Palace
Tsinghua University

Tsinghua University

5/5(1 review)

Explore the campus of Tsinghua University during your trip to Beijing. Visit the shops and temples in this culturally rich area.

Tsinghua University

Areas of North China

Temple of Heaven showing heritage architecture, religious elements and a temple or place of worship

Downtown Beijing

Historical sites, museums and art galleries highlight some notable features of Downtown Beijing. Make a stop by Wangfujing Street or Peninsula Beijing Shopping Arcade while you're visiting, and jump aboard the metro at Jinyu Hutong Station or Dengshikou Station to get around town.

Downtown Beijing
National Museum of China showing signage

Wangfujing Shopping Area

Historical sites, art galleries and museums highlight some notable features of Wangfujing Shopping Area. Make a stop by Wangfujing Street or Peninsula Beijing Shopping Arcade while you're visiting, and jump aboard the metro at Dengshikou Station or Dongsi Station to get around town.

Wangfujing Shopping Area
Dongcheng - Wangfujing

Dongcheng

4.5/5(111 area reviews)

Enjoy the popular shops in Dongcheng. Wangfujing Street is a worthwhile stop, and you can jump on the metro at Zhangzizhonglu Station or Dongsi Station to see more of Beijing.

Dongcheng
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Chaoyang

Museums, art galleries and cocktail bars highlight some notable features of Chaoyang. Make a stop by Alien's Street Trade Market or The Place while you're visiting, and jump aboard the metro at Dongdaqiao Station or Chaoyangmen Station to get around town.

Chaoyang
Summer Palace featuring heritage elements and a river or creek

Haidian

3.5/5(8 area reviews)

Haidian is well liked for its museums and monuments. If you're hoping to get in some sightseeing, Summer Palace and Fragrant Hills Park are top spots, and you can jump on the metro at Xibeiwang Station or Malianwa Station to get around.

Haidian
Houhai Lake which includes heritage elements and a lake or waterhole

Xicheng

4.5/5(24 area reviews)

Historical sites, museums and theatres highlight some notable features of Xicheng. Make a stop by Xidan Shopping Center or XiDan Shopping District while you're visiting, and jump aboard the metro at Lingjing Hutong Station or Xidan Station to get around town.

Xicheng

 

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