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.

Beijing Traditional Opera Theater

Highlights shows in English.
Beijing Underground City

Sometimes called 'the Underground Great Wall', the Beijing Underground City is a relic from the Sino-Soviet border conflict in 1969, and was built to withstand a nuclear attack. A warren of tunnels and living quarters to house some 300,000 people is spread over an area of 85 sq km, it includes stores, restaurants, clinics, schools, theatres, reading rooms, factories and a roller skating rink. The tunnels link all areas of central Beijing, from Xidan and Xuanwumen to Qianmen and Chongwen districts, to as far as the Western Hills.

The city was thankfully never needed and a small section is open to the public as a subterranean museum, the cool temperatures inside the tunnels are worth the admission alone if you are visiting the during the humidity of summer.
Beijing West Railway Station

1995 update on 1959-style architecture.
Beijing Zoo

Visit for the pandas, the famously rare bears that are native to China and nowhere else. The zoo has several, housed in a new “panda house.” However, most of the other 2,000 animals here are not so lucky; their cages are tiny.
Beijing Zoo

Most children will remain happily oblivious to the poor conditions that many of the animals are kept in and which are likely to upset older animal lovers. However, the pandas are well cared for and the setting is pleasant and leafy (see Beijing Zoo).
Bell Tower

This dates from 1745 and replaces an earlier tower that burnt down. The great 42-ton (42,674-kg) bell it contains used to be rung to mark the closing of the city gates in the evening. During Spring Festival visitors are allowed to ring the bell for a donation of ¥100. The views from both the Drum and Bell Towers over the neighboring hutongs are well worth the exhausting climb.
Bellagio

Packed until the early hours with hip Beijingers filling up on carbs before moving on to one of the clubs up the street (see Bellagio).
Bellagio

A supremely hip and stylish Taiwanese chain, also serving quality Hakka dishes. Everything looks stunning and it tastes even better. Leave room for one of the hugely popular red-bean ice desserts (see Bellagio).
Bird fancying

The Chinese have never been great keepers of pets, partly because Mao outlawed it as a bourgeois practice. The exception has been the keeping of caged songbirds, which is a time-honored hobby. The birds are often taken to the park by their owners and hung in the trees to provide a sweet soundtrack to casual socializing.
Blue Zoo Beijing

Not to be confused with Beijing Zoo, this is a small but beautifully done aquarium. It has an enormous coral reef tank containing an array of visually exciting marine life, including eels, rays, and sharks. A big plus is that the tanks are set low enough that toddlers can peer into them. There’s also a “marine tunnel” and twice-daily shark feeding sessions (see Blue Zoo Beijing).

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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