DK Travel : Beijing

At the heart of Beijing is tradition, given physical form in the mighty Forbidden City, from where successive imperial dynasties have ruled since the 15th century. Neighboring Tian’an Men Square is the China of recent history, of red-flag socialism and Mao. But this is also a city on the move, as an all-pervading spirit of change makes Beijing the most 21st-century of capitals.

Marble chops

A chop is a signature, carved onto wood, marble, stone or, these days, plastic, and used as a stamp on official documents or contracts. It is impossible to do business in China without a chop. You can quickly and easily get your own by having your name translated into Chinese characters and taking it along to a chop-maker.
Marco Polo Bridge

Straddling the Yongding River near Wanping town, the 876-ft (267-m) marble bridge was first built during the Jin dynasty in 1189 but was destroyed by a flood. The current structure dates to 1698. The bridge acquired its name when legendary voyager Marco Polo described it in his famous treatise The Travels. The balustrades along the length of the bridge are decorated by more than 400 stone lions, each one slightly different from all the others. On July 7, 1937, the Japanese Imperial Army and Nationalist Chinese soldiers exchanged fire at the bridge, an incident that led to the Japanese occupation of Beijing and war.
Martial arts

The Shaolin monks from Songshan in Henan Province have gained an international reputation for their martial arts prowess. They perform regularly at the Li Yun Theater.
Meet In Beijing

Performance festival with an unpredictable mix of Chinese and foreign theater acts.
Mei Fu

The setting is a gorgeous courtyard house lavishly filled with antiques. Set menus of sweet and rich Shanghainese cuisine start from ¥200 per person.
Mei Lanfang

Mei Lanfang was the foremost male interpreter of the female role (dan) during Beijing Opera’s heyday in the 1920s and 1930s. Traditionally all female roles were played by male actors, although no longer.
Miaoying Temple White Dagoba

Celebrated for its Tibetan-styled, 167-ft (51-m) white dagoba (stupa), said to have been designed by a Nepalese architect, the temple dates to 1271, when Beijing was under Mongol rule. The temple is also noted for its fascinating collection of thousands of Tibetan Buddhist statues.
Mid-Autumn Festival

Also known as the Harvest or Moon Festival, this is traditionally a time for family reunions and for giving boxes of sweet and savory mooncakes (yuebing).
Midi Music Festival

Four days of home-grown punk, metal, rock, and dance. Venues and dates change from year to year.
Millennium Monument

Built to welcome the year 2000, Beijing’s millennial structure is a curious bit of concrete constructivism that looks like something that might have adorned Moscow back in the 1920s. It is fashioned to resemble a giant tilted sundial. Inside is a plaza with the “Holy Fire of China” (a flame fed on natural gas), plus several exhibition halls.

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Restaurant price categories

For the equivalent of a meal for two made up of a range of dishes, served with tea, and including service.
- under ¥100
- ¥100–¥250
- ¥250–¥500
- over ¥500