One of the wonders of the world, this impressive 600km long wall was built to protect the Chinese Empire from northern invaders. An amazing feat of defensive architecture, it winds a path over rugged country and steep mountains. The wall was built between the 5th century BC and 16th century AD and sections within easy reach of Beijing have been restored so that visitors can walk on the wall and see the watch towers.

Allow: Half day

Once used by emperors in the heaven worship ceremony, the temple park in Beijing is now one of the grandest examples of China’s sacrificial buildings open for tourists. First built in 1420, the temple has been enlarged and rebuilt by both the Ming and Qing dynasties. At the heart of the Temple is the Hall of Prayer for good harvest, where the Emperor came each year to request good harvests in his divine capacity as the son of heaven.

Allow: 2-3 hours

Situated just outside Beijing, the Summer Palace is the grandest and most well preserved park in China. Construction began in 1750 on these luxury gardens for the royal family, and gradually they have been developed into the magnificent expanse of lawns, streams, bridges, secret gardens and pavilions scattered across the shores of the Kunming Lake.

Allow: 3 hours

It was here on October 1st 1949 that Chairman Mao Tse-Tung announced the founding of the People’s Republic of China to the world. Built during the Ming Dynasty the square is named after Tiananmen Gate, which lies to the north. It’s the third largest of its kind in the world and a significant cultural landmark with the People’s Heroes monument in the centre.

Allow: 1 hour

This palace lies at the heart of Beijing and was the home of the emperors for over 500 years. Completed in 1420, it is the biggest palace complex in the world covering 74 hectares. Surrounded by a 52m-wide moat, it’s an adventure to explore the labyrinth of rooms, halls and gardens with magnificent decoration and rare curiosities throughout.

Allow: 3-4 hours

This is a Buddhist Pagoda built in 652 during the Tang Dynasty and originally had five stories The pagoda is a holy place for Buddhists. If you visit in the morning you are likely to see locals doing their morning excercise in the squares around the pagoda and in the North Square there is a musical fountain display that can be watched through the year (except November)

Allow: Half Day 

Visit this marvellous exhibition of treasures from an archaeological dig that began in 1974 near the tomb of Emperor Qin Shi Huang. During his reign (246-221BC) an army of nearly 7,000 warriors was made and then buried in pits to guard the emperor in the afterlife.

Allow: 2-3 hours

Tip: Each statue has individually carved features and represents the ancient imperial guard uniform.