Beijing: Imperial History, Gardens and the Great Wall

Discover Beijing through its imperial ceremonial sites, palace complexes, gardens and individual sections of the Great Wall. These highlights raise different questions for planning your trip: Which parts of the city’s history would you like to explore, and which sights should shape your days?

Imperial History and Architecture

The Temple of Heaven was built in 1420. Emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties used it for sacrificial ceremonies in honor of Heaven and for prayers for a good harvest. It is considered China’s most complete surviving imperial sacrificial complex and the world’s largest surviving complex for sacrifices to Heaven. Beijing’s central axis runs from north to south through the historic heart of the city. It includes former imperial palaces and gardens, sacrificial sites, and ceremonial and public buildings. The urban layout developed during the Ming and Qing dynasties has been preserved there.

Founded in 1925, the Palace Museum is based in the imperial palace known as the Forbidden City and houses extensive imperial art collections. The historic palace complex administered by the museum covers more than one million square meters and comprises around 9,000 buildings. It is considered the world’s largest and best-preserved historic palace complex. Jingshan Park offers another historical connection: during the Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties, it was the imperial palace’s rear garden.

Gardens, Water and Walks

The Summer Palace is an imperial garden covering an area of 3.009 square kilometers; three quarters of it is water. Among its distinctive structures is the Seventeen-Arch Bridge, built in 1750. It is more than 150 meters long and is considered the longest bridge in China’s imperial gardens. Audio guides, smartphone tour guides and in-person tours are available for visits to the Summer Palace; check in advance which languages and service points are available.

Beihai Park is laid out around Beihai Lake. The Nine-Dragon Wall, built in 1756 and approximately 25.52 meters long, is also located there. An approximately two-hour route leads to the Round City and Jade Island. Fragrant Hills Park has a different landscape: forest covers 96 percent of the park, which contains more than 5,800 old and notable trees. These details bring different aspects of the sites into focus: the Summer Palace’s water and bridges, a specific circular route in Beihai Park, and the high forest coverage of Fragrant Hills.

Great Wall Sections and Day Trips

In China, the Great Wall stretches for more than 20,000 kilometers, from Shanhaiguan in Hebei Province in the east to Jiayuguan in Gansu Province in the west. In Beijing, the Great Wall sections at Mutianyu and Badaling were inscribed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 1987. Mutianyu is in Huairou District; the wall there is well preserved and has distinctive architectural features. Badaling is in Yanqing District. The Shuiguan section of the Great Wall features an old path, old trees and vines, mountains and waterways, and the ancient town of Guguan.

To reach the Mutianyu scenic area, take express bus 916 from Dongzhimen public transport hub to Huairoubeidajie stop. There, transfer to H23, H3 or H71 to Mutianyujingqu stop. Check the routes and stop names before traveling. Visitor information dated July 17, 2024, says that tickets for Badaling and Shuiguan can be purchased on site without a reservation; check these rules again before your visit.

Ming Tombs and Zhoukoudian

A group of mausoleums for thirteen Ming dynasty emperors lies in Shisanling Town, Changping District. The Sacred Way leads to the Changling Mausoleum. Built in 1409, it is the burial place of Zhu Di, the third Ming emperor, and his empress, Xu. At Zhoukoudian, the Site Museum presents the living conditions of Peking Man around 600,000 years ago, New Cave Man around 100,000 years ago, and Upper Cave Man around 18,000 years ago. It also displays rock samples from the area. The museum is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a national 4A-rated scenic area.

Plan Your Visit and Find Hotels

Visitor rules vary by attraction. For the Temple of Heaven, you can make a personalized reservation one to seven days in advance through the official WeChat accounts “Visiting Beijing Parks” or “Temple of Heaven”; you need a valid ID to enter. The Palace Museum does not sell same-day tickets. Tickets must be purchased in advance through its official WeChat mini program or official website. Personalized admission tickets for the China National Botanical Garden must also be purchased one to seven days in advance through its WeChat account. Check each attraction’s booking process before your trip.

The destinations mentioned are located in districts including Huairou, Yanqing, Changping and Fangshan. If you plan to visit several of them, take these differences into account when considering where to stay.

Discover more destinations: Beijing, Changping, Mentougou, Tianjin, Zhejiang, Anhui, Sichuan, Hunan.

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