Beijing – Imperial History and Gardens

Beijing can be explored through its imperial architecture, gardens and historic sites. When choosing accommodation, it is therefore important to first decide which experiences you would like to focus on: ceremonial architecture, imperial art collections, gardens or history at the Great Wall. The following places offer different highlights; specific information about tickets or transport is also provided for some of them.

Imperial Architecture and History

The Temple of Heaven was built in 1420. Emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties used it for sacrificial ceremonies in honor of Heaven and prayers for a good harvest. It is considered China’s most complete surviving imperial sacrificial complex and the world’s largest surviving complex of buildings for sacrifices to Heaven. Visitors interested in the religious and ceremonial function of imperial architecture will find a direct connection to this history here.

Founded in 1925, the Palace Museum is based in the imperial palace known as the Forbidden City and houses extensive imperial art collections. The historic palace complex covers more than one million square meters and includes around 9,000 buildings. It is considered the largest and best-preserved historic palace complex in the world. The Beijing Central Axis also conveys the city’s historic layout: it runs north to south through the historic heart of the city and includes former imperial palaces and gardens, sacrificial sites, and ceremonial and public buildings. Its urban layout developed during the Ming and Qing dynasties.

Gardens and Routes Through Historic Sites

The Summer Palace is an imperial garden covering 3.009 square kilometers, three-quarters of which is water. Its landmarks include the Seventeen-Arch Bridge, built in 1750. It is more than 150 meters long and is considered the longest bridge in China’s imperial gardens. The Summer Palace offers audio guides, smartphone tour guides and personal guide services to help visitors find their way around.

At Beihai Park, the grounds are arranged around Beihai Lake. The park is also home to the Nine-Dragon Wall, built in 1756 and measuring about 25.52 meters in length. A route of about two hours leads to the Round City and Jade Island. Jingshan Park offers another perspective on history: during the Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties, it was the rear garden of the imperial palace. Visitors who would rather focus on nature and trees can consider Fragrant Hills Park, with its 96 percent forest coverage and more than 5,800 old and famous trees.

The Great Wall: Locations and Visit Planning

The sections of the Wall at Mutianyu and Badaling were inscribed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 1987. Mutianyu, in Huairou District, is well preserved and has unique architectural features. A public bus service goes to the Mutianyu Scenic Area: take express bus 916 from Dongzhimen transport hub to Huairoubeidajie, then transfer to bus H23, H3 or H71 and get off at the Mutianyujingqu stop. This transfer is a specific planning consideration for a visit to this site.

At Badaling, you can buy admission tickets on site without a reservation. Tickets for the Shuiguan Great Wall are also available on site without a reservation; this section features an old path, old trees and vines, mountains and waterways, as well as the ancient city of Guguan. The ticket rules listed here apply specifically to Badaling and Shuiguan, respectively, and should not be applied to Mutianyu. This lets you distinguish between the different destinations based on the features described and the preparations specified for each.

Other Historic Sites and Museums

The Ming Tombs are mausoleums for thirteen emperors of the Ming dynasty in Shisanling Town, Changping District. The Sacred Way leads to the Changling Mausoleum, built in 1409. Zhu Di, the third emperor of the Ming dynasty, and his empress Xu are buried there. The Zhoukoudian Site Museum offers a different perspective on the past: it presents the living conditions of Peking Man around 600,000 years ago, Upper Cave Man around 100,000 years ago, and Upper Cave Man around 18,000 years ago. It also displays rock samples from the Zhoukoudian area. The Wofo Temple, in turn, was built during the Zhenguan period (627–649) of the Tang dynasty. Originally called Doushuai Temple, it was named after the bronze statue of a reclining Buddha worshipped there.

To visit the Palace Museum, you must buy tickets in advance through the official WeChat mini program or official website; no admission tickets are sold on the day. For the Temple of Heaven, you can make a timed, real-name reservation one to seven days in advance through the official WeChat accounts “Visiting Beijing Parks” or “Temple of Heaven.” You need a valid identity document to enter the park. The China National Botanical Garden also requires booking one to seven days in advance: personalized admission tickets are purchased through the WeChat account “China National Botanical Garden Ticketing Platform.”

For the broader travel overview: China.

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