{"id":767,"date":"2015-05-04T19:00:49","date_gmt":"2015-05-04T18:00:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.uk\/blog\/?p=767"},"modified":"2016-08-18T14:40:05","modified_gmt":"2016-08-18T13:40:05","slug":"beijing-a-first-timers-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.uk\/blog\/china\/beijing-a-first-timers-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"Beijing: A First Timer’s Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"

As China\u2019s capital and most populous city, Beijing is a metropolis of extraordinary wonder and is considered a must-see during any trip to the Middle Kingdom. With so much to see and do, we\u2019ve created this handy guide to all the landmarks and points of interest you should check out \u2013 ensuring that you can experience Beijing at its best during your escorted tours of China<\/a>.<\/p>\n

With a history dating back over three thousand years, Beijing\u2019s multitude of age-old landmarks are reason enough to pay the city a visit. Beijing stands as the last of the four great ancient capitals of China, and is renowned for its countless palaces, temples and parks, all of which have been richly decorated throughout history. Because you won\u2019t be able to visit them all, here\u2019s our list of some of the best.<\/p>\n

Forbidden City<\/h2>\n

The Forbidden City is one of the most famous of all landmarks in Beijing and once served as the main house for the emperors and their households throughout China\u2019s history. Built between 1406 and 1420, it\u2019s a fine example of traditional Chinese palatial architecture and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987. A complex of 980 buildings, which covers 180 acres, it\u2019s also listed as the largest collection of preserved ancient wooden structures in the world, another reason why it is such a special landmark.<\/p>\n

We reported back in February that the Forbidden City will begin to limit the number of daily visitors<\/a> to improve the visitor experience, meaning that tickets need to be booked well in advance to guarantee entry. This is great news for those who travel with us as we book tickets for you in advance, meaning that you can enjoy the improved visitor experience at this landmark without worrying about your tickets.<\/p>\n

\"forbidden<\/a><\/p>\n

The Great Wall<\/h2>\n

Undoubtedly one of China\u2019s most famous landmarks, the Great Wall of China is more than 13,000 miles long and spreads from East to West China. The closest section of the wall to Beijing is the Mutianyu Great Wall<\/a>, a 1.4-mile section that saunters through long ridges and lofty mountain ranges to provide fantastic scenic views. This section was first created between 550 and 557, and was then strengthened between 1368 and 1644. Rising 26 feet above picture-perfect scenery, of which 96 per cent is woodland, it offers a fantastic photo opportunity as well as a chance to admire a true historical gem of the country.<\/p>\n

For more great photo opportunities in China check out our list of the 8 best photography locations<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"the<\/a><\/p>\n

National Museum of China<\/h2>\n

To learn even more about the city\u2019s illustrious past \u2013 as well as the history of China in general \u2013 heading to the National Museum of China<\/a> is an absolute must. The main mission of the building is to educate people about the history of the country, which they aim to do with their displays and exhibits that include more than one million permanent items. From a Han Dynasty jade burial suit dressed with gold thread to the \u2018jade dragon\u2019, which dates back as early as 4700BC, it\u2019s no surprise that the institution is held in such high regard by historical enthusiasts.<\/p>\n

Red Gate Gallery<\/h2>\n

As Beijing\u2019s first private contemporary art gallery, the Red Gate Gallery<\/a> is an absolute must-see for those interested in art. Located inside the 600-year-old Dongbianmen Watchtower, it was first opened by Brian Wallace back in 1991 and considered an important force in the development of contemporary Chinese art. It has been celebrating the latest and greatest Chinese art for just shy of 25 years, and the works which adorn the walls inside today are sure to be greatly appealing to those enjoying a cultural China holiday<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Beijing Zoo and Aquarium<\/h2>\n

Another aspect which China\u2019s capital is famous for is its zoo, a 5.6-acre sanctuary for all sorts of species. It\u2019s one of the oldest zoos in the country, opening in 1908 and having previously been the grounds of an imperial manor during the Ming Dynasty. Today the zoo is home to around 14,500 animals that represent 950 different species \u2013 including 13 of the world\u2019s 15 species of cranes. There are also a number of species which are endemic to China found here, including the giant panda, Chinese alligator and the South China tiger.<\/p>\n

\"panda<\/a><\/p>\n

There\u2019s also the Beijing Aquarium to check out. Located in the grounds of the zoo, it has quickly grown into one of the country\u2019s top attractions since it opened back in 1999. The biggest aquarium found in all of China, visitors can enjoy live shows from dolphins and sea lions, as well as admire a wide variety of fish species.<\/p>\n

China Aviation Museum<\/h2>\n

Finally we have the China Aviation Museum, offering another look into the history of both Beijing and China. Partly housed in a cavern, which was once the underground bunker system of Shahezhen Airbase, it is home to over 200 airplanes that have played a part in the nation\u2019s aviation history, including the de Havilland mosquito bomber, the Vickers Viscount airliner and the Shenyang F-5, F-6 and F-7 airliners. With so much to see, it\u2019s well worth a visit while in Beijing on your all-inclusive tour of China.<\/p>\n

\"civil<\/a><\/p>\n

\n

\"brochure_btn\"<\/a>Visit Beijing\u00a0with the UK’s leading China Experts, Wendy Wu Tours<\/a>. Our award winning escorted, fully inclusive China tours visit all the major sights of China for an unforgettable holiday.<\/strong><\/p>\n

We also have amazing tours to Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Japan, India and beyond…<\/p>\n

\n

Image Credit:<\/strong>\u00a0allen watkin<\/a> (Flickr.com)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

As China\u2019s capital and most populous city, Beijing is a metropolis of extraordinary wonder and is considered a must-see during any trip to the Middle Kingdom.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":775,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"spay_email":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[26,30,29],"yoast_head":"\nBeijing: A First Timer's Guide<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Here's our handy guide to all the landmarks and points of interest you should check out when visiting Beijing for the first time\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.uk\/blog\/china\/beijing-a-first-timers-guide\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_GB\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Beijing: A First 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