Beijing Travel

Yes, you saw it over and over gain on TV during the Olympics in 2008, but that just barely scratched the surface of this modern yet ancient Chinese city.

Beijing has four distinct seasons, and the best time to visit is in the late spring or autumn.

First inhabited 500,000 years ago, it is truly one of the most ancient cities on earth. Yes, there is definitely history here!

Explore the traditional tea houses, the sculptured gardens and shrines, Hutong and Peking Opera. The city is renown for the largest courtyard in the world, Tiananmen Square, home of the famous protests. And the Forbidden City where child emperors were shrouded from the outside world.

Easily walk through shopping districts, enjoy street acrobats and ride in Chinese rickshaws. At night, fine restaurants with exotic and fresh foods await you along with everything from traditional theatre to modern nightclubs.

Of course, no trip would be complete without a view of the Great Wall of China, just a short trip from the city.

But do not miss the Temples of Heaven, the largest group of structures in China dedicated to the ritual of thanking heaven for abundant life and harvest. Listen to the acoustics of the Echo Wall, and wander the gardens.

Remember to see the Confucius temples, the large Buddhas, Happy Valley, the Fragrant Hills and the Beihai Park built by the great Khan. Enjoy Beijing.