Beijing: Imperial History, Gardens and City Life

When looking for a hotel in Beijing, it helps to first decide what you want to focus on during your trip. Historic sites tell stories of imperial rituals and city planning; parks and gardens offer a different perspective. The city’s animal and plant collections, as well as contemporary urban life, are also among the things you can discover in Beijing. The differences between these places can help guide your trip planning.

Imperial history and the city axis

The Temple of Heaven was built in 1420, the 18th year of the reign of the Ming emperor Yongle. Emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties used it to make offerings to Heaven and pray for good harvests. The complex covers 273 hectares and is round in the north and square in the south. This shape makes the temple grounds particularly distinctive.

The Palace Museum, also known as the Forbidden City, was completed in 1420 during the Ming dynasty. It was the former residence of 24 emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties and preserves more than 1.5 million relics. Both sites are associated with the year 1420, but the Temple of Heaven was built then, while the Palace Museum was completed that year.

The Central Axis of Beijing runs from north to south through the heart of historic Beijing. Stretching 7.8 kilometers, it includes former imperial palaces and gardens, places of worship, and ceremonial and public buildings. Tian'anmen Square lies in the heart of the city, covers 440,000 square meters, and is considered the largest city square in the world. The well-known Qianmen Street shopping district is also on the city axis. Before 1550, it was the imperial road to the Altar of the God of Mountains and Rivers.

Visitors can book timed tickets for the Temple of Heaven’s designated attractions through the temple’s official WeChat account, 1 to 7 days in advance. Booking procedures may change, so check the latest information beforehand.

Gardens, parks and views

The Summer Palace is a large landscape garden made up of Longevity Hill and Kunming Lake. It is considered an outstanding example of Chinese landscape garden art, where human creations and nature are brought together in harmony. Audio guides, smartphone tours and guided tours are available to help you find your way; audio guides are available in 19 languages. These visitor services may change, so check the latest information in advance.

Jingshan Park was an imperial garden during the Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties and was once the highest point in central Beijing. Visitors can climb up to Wanchun Pavilion and enjoy panoramic views of the Forbidden City and the Central Axis. This place brings together the garden’s former role and views of the historic city layout.

Beihai Park is a classic imperial garden in central Beijing, laid out around Beihai Lake. Allow about four hours for a route from the Round City through Jade Island, including a ferry crossing from Yilan Hall to the north shore. Check the ferry’s current schedule before your visit. Beijing Olympic Forest Park offers another expansive contrast: at 680 hectares, it is Beijing’s largest city park.

Nature, culture and contemporary city life

If you are interested in animals, Beijing Zoo is home to more than 5,000 animals from around 400 species. It is also designated a National Key Park and a national base for science popularization and education, and is classified by the state as a Grade 4A scenic area. The China National Botanical Garden focuses on something different: the ex situ conservation of plants. Its collection of 15,000 plant species also includes subspecies and other taxonomic ranks.

Shichahai is an urban scenic area with an extensive lake area and a rich historical culture. Visitors can experience folk customs and modern lifestyles there; boat tours are also available. These are seasonal, so check availability before your trip. For another perspective on Beijing’s history and garden culture, visit Prince Gong's Mansion, also known as Prince Kung's Mansion. The complex consists of large courtyards and gardens and is one of Beijing’s best-preserved imperial residences. Its garden covers 28,000 square meters.

When choosing where to stay, you can weigh these priorities against one another: imperial history and city planning, gardens and parks, or nature and culture.

Discover more destinations: Mentougou, Changping.

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