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.

Nameless Highland

Expect anything from Mongolian folk to Japanese punk and Chinese Britpop.
Nan Luogu Xiang

Less than 10 minutes’ walk east of the Drum Tower, Nan Luogu Xiang is a lengthy north-south hutong. Still traditional in feel, the alley is in the process of receiving a makeover and is now home to several small hotels, as well as a handful of interesting clothing and craft boutiques, and an ever-increasing number of cafés and bars, including the excellent Pass By Bar.
National Aquatics Center

The “Water Cube” is a complex of five pools intended to stage the Olympic swimming and diving events. It’s another ground-breaking design, in this case inspired by the formation of bubbles and molecules.
National Art Museum of China

The largest art gallery in China was one of ten key buildings erected in 1959 to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic. It has no permanent collection, rather its 14 halls, which are spread over three floors, are employed to host a constant rotation of temporary exhibitions of Chinese and international art.
National Art Museum of China

The largest art gallery in China.
National Day

Marking the anniversary of Mao’s 1949 speech in which he declared the foundation of the People’s Republic. Crowds turn out to watch massed parades of high-kicking soldiers, and a jam-packed Tian’an Men Square is colored red by a sea of hand-held, waving flags.
National Grand Theater

French architect Paul Andreu’s silvery “Giant Egg” (see National Grand Theater), completed in 2006, provides a shocking contrast to the monolithic, slab-like Socialist architecture of neighboring Tian’an Men Square. The building is surrounded by a reflective moat and accessed by an underwater tunnel (upsetting Chinese critics who claim this resembles the entrance to a traditional tomb). At night, a part of the façade is transparent so passers-by can see what’s going on inside.
National Grand Theater

Completed in 2006, Beijing’s new opera house is already a major city landmark. Designed by French architect Paul Andreu, it is built of glass and titanium and takes the form of a giant parabolic dome – earning it the nickname the “Giant Egg.” The high-tech lighting that illuminates the exterior is reflected in a moat, while the entrance is through an underwater tunnel.
National Indoor Stadium

Built to host gymnastics and handball during the 2008 Games, the stadium boasts a sinuously curving roof with slatted beams, which is inspired by traditional Chinese folding fans. After the Games are over, the stadium will stage entertainment events, such as concerts.
National Olympic Stadium

Set to be the centerpiece of the Olympics, when finished Beijing’s new stadium will be the world’s biggest enclosed space, capable of holding 100,000 spectators. The innovative design by Swiss architects Herzog and de Meuron resembles a giant bird’s nest.