Beijing The Heart of China’s Great Capital is a city shaped by centuries of dynasties cultural traditions and defining moments in Chinese history. Ancient palaces and imperial gardens sit beside lively neighbourhoods glowing with colour. Every corner carries a story from the grand halls of the Forbidden City to the lantern-lit hutongs filled with local life. Beijing The Heart of China’s Great Capital remains one of the most influential cultural and political centres of China and is a destination that rewards curious travellers.
⭐ Why Visit Beijing The Heart of China’s Great Capital?
Travellers visit Beijing The Heart of China’s Great Capital to experience a deep mix of heritage culture and architecture. The Forbidden City Temple of Heaven and Summer Palace offer powerful glimpses into the country’s imperial past while the hutongs show daily life that has continued for generations. The scale of the buildings the depth of the history and the rhythm of the city create moments that feel rich and meaningful.
Visitors also enjoy how Beijing The Heart of China’s Great Capital blends iconic sights with modern energy. You can explore markets try local dishes walk historic streets and discover small food courts filled with flavour. The city is easy to navigate with good transport and distinct districts that offer different experiences. This balance between past and present makes Beijing a destination that stays with you long after you leave.
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🧭 Our Beijing Experience
Didi made travel simple with 26 yuan from Beijing West Train Station to Qianmen and 106 yuan to Beijing Capital Airport. We were very lucky with our choice of area. Qianmen was beautiful lively and colourful with endless places to shop taste and enjoy. Our hotel was nothing special but the location was epic. Right in the heart of everything.
The Great Wall and Peking Duck were our big drawcards yet we were surprised by how many delicious local dishes Beijing had to offer. On our first day we only made it fifty metres before settling into a small food court style restaurant. We tried a lamb broth dish we ordered by accident and it turned out to be absolutely delicious. Later we found a Michelin-recommended noodle spot serving handmade zhajiangmian which became a must-try for the next day.
🏯Things To Do in Beijing
Exploring the Forbidden City
- The Forbidden City was only a short walk from Qianmen but took longer than expected due to continuous security checks. The entry system felt like a maze. You walk past what looks like the main entrance only to be directed another five hundred metres down the road before making a U-turn that brings you back along the same path with only a fence separating the two directions. Passport checks bag scans and body scanners slow everything down so starting early is essential.
- We do not usually gravitate toward palaces yet some places feel important to visit for their history. The Forbidden City stretches almost one kilometre and is made entirely of timber which feels incredible to see at this scale. Many buildings are off limits so most photos are from the exterior but it remains an impressive and significant place.
- The self-guided audio headsets cost 40 yuan per person and work on a GPS system that activates when you move into new areas.
- A quick warning for the walk back to Qianmen. Check a map and you will see that you walk parallel to the palace and Tiananmen Square. Stay on that parallel route all the way to the end. If you turn toward the square you will be pulled into more security checks and find yourself stuck in queues.
Lunch at No. 69 – Zhajiangmian Noodles
- After almost 28,000 steps we stayed close to Qianmen for lunch. No. 69 is famous for handmade zhajiangmian noodles served with fermented soybean paste fresh toppings and their pickled green garlic that lifts the flavour. The restaurant has a Michelin Bib Gourmand award which recognises excellent and affordable food and it was clear why. A simple dish made perfectly.
Peking Duck at Siji Minfu (Peking Chambers)
- Dinner was all about Peking Duck and we wanted our first taste to be memorable. We chose Siji Minfu Duck Restaurant a well known franchise although the sign outside said Peking Chambers which confused us at first. We still do not know how the naming works but it took us to the right place.
- You enter on the ground floor collect a number and are given a return time. Expect to wait around two hours.
- We explored Qianmen grabbed a coffee and even tried a VR ride while waiting.
- Once upstairs the restaurant came alive. Ducks roasting in fire pits staff moving quickly and fountains in the waiting area created a sense of organised chaos. We waited another thirty minutes which gave us time for photos and videos.
- When seated burners were placed on the table to keep everything warm. Wraps, ingredients to go into the wraps and even a mandarin were included. Free hot water and tea were available which is common in China as warm water is believed to support balance.
- The chef brought out our duck then carved it at the preparation station. The first piece of crispy skin melted in our mouths.
- A lady visited to demonstrate the delicate way to assemble a wrap but we had already piled ours generously which made us laugh remembering my dad’s approach to Vietnamese rolls. We enjoyed every mouthful.
- A whole duck with carving and all sides cost 284 yuan (about $70 NZD) and was worth every cent.
The Great Wall Experience – What We Learned
- We booked a tour for the Great Wall and this reminded us why we rarely choose group tours. When booking we were told we would have three hours on the wall. The route would include two shop stops but the exact locations were unclear. Pickup was between 7–7.30am with lunch included for 240 yuan per person.
- By the time all passengers were collected it was 9am. Instead of heading to the wall we stopped first at a pearl shop for a presentation and browsing time. We slipped away for breakfast instead. The van finally departed for Mutianyu at 9.30am.
- We also discovered an extra cost for the chairlift which the tour company never mentioned. It is 140 yuan per person and almost everyone pays it to avoid a long and dull walk uphill.
- We reached the mountain carpark at 11am. Once through the entry process the guide told us we had one hour. We explained that the tour company promised three but he replied that three hours was too long and we needed to get to lunch. It was disappointing yet the quiet time of year meant the wall was almost empty which let us walk further and sit quietly enjoying the raw beauty of the mountains.
- The toboggan ride down looked fun but long delays were caused by nervous riders braking too often so we chose the chairlift both ways.
- Lunch was very good and the group was friendly but more stops followed. A jade factory then a tea ceremony where prices were extremely high. Several passengers bought items which may explain why the guide later offered to drop us closer to our hotel.
- We finally reached Qianmen at 7.30pm. A twelve hour day for one hour on the wall.
What We Recommend Instead
A private driver allows you to control your own day. Prices range from 800–1500 yuan per car. Tickets can be bought on Trip.com or at the gate.
Great Wall Price Overview
| Section | Entry Fee | Chairlift / Cable Car | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Badaling | ~40 yuan | ~140 yuan return | Busiest section easiest access |
| Juyongguan | ~65 yuan | None | Steeper shorter visit |
| Mutianyu | ~40 yuan | ~140 yuan return | Beautiful scenery fewer crowds |
We ended the night with a simple dinner of wonton soup and spicy broth which hit the spot perfectly.
✈️ Beijing Capital Airport
Beijing Capital International Airport is huge but easy to manage once you begin in the correct terminal. Domestic and international departures share the same main building. After passing the first entrance you go down the escalators and this is where paying attention to the signs matters. They are in Chinese and English only and we saw many people looking unsure about which way to go.
Domestic and international routes split slightly after the initial walkway. Once through the main bag check everything is clearly marked for international passengers. There are plenty of places to eat and a good range of duty free shopping.
5 Interesting Facts About Beijing
1. Beijing has the largest palace complex in the world
- The Forbidden City covers more than 720,000 square metres with nearly 1,000 surviving buildings. It is so large that it takes most visitors several hours just to walk through the central axis.
2. The city has operated the world’s oldest subway line still in use
- Beijing’s Line 1 opened in 1969 and is one of the earliest metro lines in the world. Today the network is massive and carries millions of passengers every day.
3. Peking Duck has been served for over 600 years
- This famous dish dates back to the Ming Dynasty with records showing it was served to emperors long before becoming a global favourite.
4. Beijing has more than 7,000 hutongs
- These narrow alleyways once formed the backbone of the city’s neighbourhoods. Many have been restored and now blend traditional courtyard homes with cafés shops and street food.
5. The Temple of Heaven was built without a single nail
- This iconic circular structure uses precise carpentry and wooden joints to hold everything together. It was designed so emperors could pray for good harvests and still stands as one of the most impressive wooden structures in China.
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