10 Awesome Landmark Sites in Beijing to Take Photos
Beijing, the capital of China, is one of the greatest cities in the world with a history over 3000 years. It is also the home to many of world’s famous landmarks which are MUST to see to take some photos as a good memory of trip. Some of them are centuries old, and some are new and modern. Here, we have picked some of the most famous and worth-visiting Beijing landmark sites and have included some travel info about them that you might find helpful.
5 Historical Beijing Landmark Sites to Take Photos
As the capital city of the two last imperial dynasties of China - Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) and Qing Dynasty (1644-1912), Beijing boasts many magnificent historical sites which are now the landmarks of Beijing as well as the MUST sites to visit during your Beijing tour. Below are the 5 most outstanding historical landmark sites of Beijing. Most of them were built during Ming and Qing Dynasties.
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Badaling Great Wall - The Most Popular Section of the Great Wall
Badaling Great Wall is very popular among both domestic and foreign travelers because it is not only can be reached from Beijing easily, but also the best representative section of all Great Wall of China. It used to play a significant role in ancient Chinese history.
Type: World Heritage Site, Ancient Ruins, Hiking Trails, Outdoor Activities
Opening Hours: Daytime Visit 07:30 ~ 16:00 (Nov. - Mar.); 06:30 ~ 16:30 (Apr. - Oct.); Nighttime Visit 18:30 ~ 21:30
Tickets: Daytime Visit Apr. to Oct.: ￥40 / Nov. to Mar.: ￥35; Nighttime Visit ￥298
Address: Yanqing District, Beijing municipality, China (北京延庆区)
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Tiananmen Square - Largest Public Square in the World
Tiananmen Square is the heart of Beijing City and the largest center plaza in the world. As a site of many important events, Tiananmen Square enjoys a great political, historical and cultural significance.
Type: Historical Sites, Architectural Buildings, Museum, Interest & Landmarks
Opening Hours: 5:00 ~ 22：00
Tickets: Free for Square
Address: Chang’an Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing, 100009, China
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Summer Palace - Best of the Four Famous Gardens in China
Summer Palace is a masterpiece of classical Chinese garden with assembled almost the best design, skill and classic features of traditional gardening architecture of ancient China. It radiates not only the grandeur of an imperial garden but also the beauty of nature in a seamless combination that best illustrates the guiding principle of traditional Chinese garden design: “The works of men should match the works of Heaven”.
Type: World Heritage Site, Historic Sites, Sights & Landmarks, Royal Garden, Parks
Opening Hours: Apr to Oct: 06:00 ~ 20:00 / Nov to Mar: 06:30 ~ 19:00
Tickets: Apr to Oct: CNY 30 / Nov to Mar: CNY 20
Address: No. 19 Xinjian Gongmen Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100084, China
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Temple of Heaven - Brilliant UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site
As a masterpiece of Ming and Qing architectural art and a precious example of China's ancient architecture, Temple of Heaven is the largest architectural complex for worshipping Heaven in the world. Today, it is a pleasant place for leisure stay of walking or sightseeing, also for exploration of local culture.
Type: World Heritage Site, Historic Sites, Parks, Sights & Landmarks
Opening Hours: Apr to Oct: 06:00 ~ 22:00 / Nov to Mar: 06:30 ~ 22:00
Tickets: Apr to Oct: CNY 15 / Nov to Mar: CNY 10
Address: No.7 Tiantan Road, Dongcheng District, Beijing 100050, China
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Forbidden City - Most Magnificent Imperial Palace in the World
Forbidden City (紫禁城), was the imperial palace for 24 emperors of Ming and Qing Dynasties. Once forbidden and now permitted. It was renamed as the Palace Museum, also called Gugong (故宫) in 1925 and serve as an open museum to the public. It is an amazing experience to visit a magnificent palace that is over 600 years old. The cultural richness of china is truly reflected at this historical palace.
Type: World Heritage Site, National First-class Museum, Historical Sites, Architectural Buildings
Opening Hours: Apr to Oct: 8:30 ~ 17:00 / Nov to Mar: 8:30 ~ 16:30 / Closed on Mondays
Tickets: Apr to Oct: CNY 60 / Nov to Mar: CNY 40
Address: No.4 Jingshan Qianjie, Dongcheng District, Beijing 100000, China
5 Modern Beijing Landmark Sites to Take Photos
The ancient is only one side of Beijing's face. The capital city is also one of the most modern and fashionable cities in China with dominating skylines, stylish shopping malls. Below are 5 most incredible modern landmarks of Beijing. Most of them are located conveniently in the downtown area.
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Beijing Olympic Park (北京奥林匹克公园)
Beijing Olympic Park, also known as Beijing Olympic Green, was the venue for 2008 Summer Olympic Games and Paralympic Games. It will also be one of the venues for 2022 Winter Olympic Games. It is free and open for public, with massive space for stroll, running, sightseeing and photography. Bird's Nest and Water Cube are two most famous sites in the park.
Type: Sights & Landmarks, Water & Amusement Parks
Opening Hours: May to Oct: 06:30 ~ 22:00 / Nov to Apr: 07:30 ~ 21:30
Tickets: Free for the Park (extra fees to enter inside Bird's Nest, Water Cube...)
Address: North of Beisihuanzhong road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, China (北京市朝阳区北辰东路15号)
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The National Grand Theater - the Giant Egg (国家大剧院)
Actually, the official name of the National Grand Theater is National Centre for the Performing Arts. Local people call it the Giant Egg due to its eye-catching egg-shaped architecture. It was designed by French architect Paul Andreu. There usually are many shows and performance held in the theater. If you are opera lover, you should take a visit. It is only about 500 meters from Tian An Men Square and the Forbidden City.
Type: Sights & Landmarks, Water & Amusement Parks
Opening Hours: 09:00 ~ 17:00 (closed on Monday)
Tickets: ￥40 on high-season; ￥30 on off-season
Address: 2 W Chang'an Ave, Xicheng Qu, Beijing 100031, China (北京市西城区西长安街2号)
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CCTV Tower (中央电视台总部大楼)
CCTV Tower is the headquarter of China Central Television. It is about 234 meters high, built in three buildings that join to become one tower. Local people refer to it as "Big Pants". The CCTV Tower won the 2013 Best Tall Building Worldwide from the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat. The Time Magazine also nominated it as one of the world's top 10 architectural wonders. It can be viewed from neighboring China World Mall perfectly.
Type: Sights & Landmarks, Observation Decks & Towers, Architectural Buildings
Opening Hours: 09:00 ~ 17:00
Tickets: Free
Address: Beijing CBD, Dongsanhuan Middle Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, China(北京市朝阳区东三环中路32号)
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China Zun (CITIC Tower)
The China Zun, with a height of 528 meters, is the tallest building in Beijing, world's 8th tallest building. Its design draws inspiration from "Zun" which is the form of an ancient Chinese bronze ritualistic object. There is an observation deck between 105th and 107th floors which offers panoramic views of Beijing's cityscape.
Type: World Heritage Site, Royal Garden, Architectural Buildings, Parks
Opening Hours: Apr to Oct: 06:30 ~ 18:00 / Nov to Mar: 07:00 ~ 17:00
Tickets: Apr to Oct: ￥30 / Nov to Mar: ￥20
Address: 19 Xin Jian Gong Men Rd, Haidian District, Beijing, China
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Galaxy SOHO (银河SOHO)
The Galaxy SOHO is the biggest shopping mall in Beijing as well as one of the most stylish architectures in Beijing. Its design was inspired by traditional Chinese courtyards. As you entering deeper into the building, you discover a deep sense of immersion and envelopment. The lower floors are used for retail and entertainment, the middle floors are for work spaces, and the top floors provide bars, restaurants, cafés that offer wide and open views upon the city.
Type: Shopping Mall, Architectural Buildings
Opening Hours: 10:00 ~ 22:00
Tickets: Free
Address: 7A Xiao Pai Fang, Hutong, Dongcheng, Beijing, China (银河 北京市东城区 小牌坊胡同甲7号)
How to Plan a Beijing Trip
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- Beijing Airport Layover
- Great Wall of China Facts
- Top 10 Experiences Recommended by Lonely Planet
- Top 10 Unmissable Best Museums in Beijing
- 10 Awesome Landmark Sites in Beijing to Take Photos
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- Top 7 Places to Visit in Beijing for First-Timers
- Beijing Nightlife - 13 Things to Do in Beijing at Night
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Top Beijing Tours & Travel Guide
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Best Beijing Tour Packages for 2019
As the capital city of China for centuries, Beijing is an internatinal metropolis with numerous historic scenic sites. You can visit the Forbidden City to witness the royal buildings of the ancient China empire, hike on the incredible Great Wall, and wander along the traditional hutongs to experience the authentic local life...all of your dreams about Beijing can be tangible in our Beijing tours. We are also specialized in tailor-made tours that fit you best according to your own interests, requirement, traveling time, etc.
Visit the best and featured highlights of Beijing in a single trip and explore the glorious past and present of Beijing in one go. Apart from Beijing's time-honored landmarks - Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace and Great Wall, you will admire the most outstanding architectures in Olympic Park.
This thoughtfully designed itinerary is perfect for travelers with limited time in Beijing. Whether you're taking advantage of a layover or simply want to make the most of a short trip, this tour provides a comprehensive overview of the city's iconic attractions.
This 4-day tour offers the chance to explore Jinshanling by day, known for its breathtaking vistas, and Simatai by night, celebrated for its enchanting evening views. The itinerary also includes a visit to the charming Gubei Water Town. Of course, essential Beijing landmarks such as the Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, and traditional Hutongs are covered.
If you only have two days' layover in Beijing, don't worry, this tour with well-arranged itinerary allows you to visit the best highlighting attractions of Beijing. After hotel picked-up, you will go to the landmarks - Tiananmen Square and Forbidden City firstly. In the afternoon, take a trip to the famous Royal Garden – Summer Palace. In the next day, admire the magnificent structures of Temple of Heaven, Great Wall, Bird's Nest and Water Cube.
