Beijing’s rich history, culture and status as China’s gateway city make it a great place to visit as a tourist. Its history can be traced back 3,000 years and it has a wealth of historical sites, such as the Great Wall and the Forbidden City. It also has a unique collection of architecture, arts, cuisine, and other cultural facets. You can take in performing arts like the Beijing opera or kung fu shows and cuisine like Beijing’s famous roast duck.

Beijing is China’s capital and is the country’s second largest city with almost 22.5 million people living within the city limits. It’s also enormous in area measuring 6,500 square miles. Compare that to New York City at 302 square miles or Chicago at 234 square miles! Due to its sheer size and traffic congestion, it’s important to plan your time in Beijing well. We spent one day at the Great Wall and two other full days touring the city and probably barely scratched the surface of things to see and do.

Historical Landmarks

On Friday, our last full day in Beijing, we wanted to make sure to see some of the most famous historical landmarks. We started off the day at Tian’anmen Square and then made our way across the street to the Forbidden City. After spending a couple hours there, we went up to the top of Jingshan Park to see a beautiful view of the city.

Tian’anmen Square

Tian’anmen Square is a city square in the center of Beijing. It’s named after the Gate of Heavenly Peace, located to its north, which separates it from the Forbidden City. It’s one of the top ten largest squares in the world.

The square contains the Monument to the People’s Heroes, the Great Hall of the People, the National Museum of China, and the Mausoleum of Mao Zedong. Chairman Mao proclaimed the founding of the People’s Republic of China in the square on October 1, 1949

Outside China, the square is best known for the armed suppression of pro-democracy protests in 1989. The student-led demonstrations were for the establishment of basic human rights and against the Communist-led Chinese government.

In what became known as the Tian’anmen Square Massacre, troops with assault rifles and tanks fired at the demonstrators trying to block the military’s advance towards the square. There’s a very famous picture taken during the protests of a demonstrator standing in front of an approaching tank.

What was really interesting is that these protests are not in Chinese history books. Our tour guide, who was probably around 30 years old, only knew of it through stories told to him by his grandparents.

The Forbidden City

The Forbidden City is a palace complex in central Beijing. It was the former Chinese imperial palace from the Ming dynasty to the end of the Qing dynasty (1420 to 1912).

It served as the home of 24 emperors and their households, as well as the ceremonial and political center of Chinese government for almost 500 years. Considered a divine place, it was forbidden to ordinary people and thus was named the Forbidden City.

It now serves as the Palace Museum, which is the largest ancient palatial structure in the world.

The Forbidden City covers 180 acres so you’ll need to allow two to three hours to see everything. I would also suggest having a local guide take you through so he/she can provide information about the site’s history, architecture and works of art.

Jingshan Park

Just north of the Forbidden City lies Jingshan Park. The park is 57 acres in size and was formerly a private imperial garden attached to the grounds of the Forbidden City. The artificial hill inside the park used to be the highest point in the city.

We didn’t spend any time walking around the grounds because we just wanted to see the view from atop the hill. The view is what really makes the park worth a visit. The temple at the top of the hill, offers gorgeous, panoramic views over Beijing and the Forbidden City (provided it’s a low smog day).

Temple of Heaven

The Temple of Heaven is an imperial complex of religious buildings situated in central Beijing. The complex was visited by the Emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties for annual ceremonies of prayer to Heaven for good harvest.

UNESCO selected it as a World Heritage Site in 1998. It’s symbolic layout and design had a profound influence on architecture and planning in the Far East over many centuries.

One of the overarching symbols of the temple is the number nine. This number represents the Emperor and is evident in the design of the Circular Mound Altar. The altar is made up of a single round plate surrounded by a ring of nine plates. That is followed by a ring of 18 plates, and then a ring of 27 plates and so on for a total of nine surrounding rings, the outermost having 81 plates.

Thursday Activities

On Thursday, the guys took an ancient village tour, ate at a local village restaurant, went on a 4-D ride at an amusement park and then met our wives for a foot massage.

Ancient Village Tour

Our day started with a tour of the ancient Cuandixia and Yanhecheng villages. They are located in the west area of the Mengtougou District in Beijing.

In Cuandixia, the houses were built into the side of a hill, surrounded by mountains and forests. To see a bird’s eye view of the village, we climbed up rock paved steps.

There’s not much to do in these villages but it was cool to get a glimpse of what life is like in these small villages. Yanhecheng village was a former military site and so many homes are in old barracks.

Lunch in Dongzhaitangcun

After the village tour, we stopped at a local restaurant for lunch. We ate in nearby Dongzhaitangcun, and while I can’t remember the restaurant’s name, the food was outstanding. I’m pretty sure the village had only one block of stores and restaurants, so it wouldn’t be hard to find it.

Shijingshan Amusement Park

On the way back toward Beijing, our tour guide recommended we stop at the Shijingshan Amusement Park to see the brand new Flyover China ride. The entry fee is very reasonable but I don’t think you’ll find many tourists there, even in high season. The Flyover China ride was pretty cool, but there’s so much to do in Beijing, this park wouldn’t be anywhere near the top of the to-do list.

However, the park has a “so bad it’s good” thing going on and looks a lot like a poor man’s Disneyland ripoff. Since it was February, most of the rides were closed. However after reading some reviews afterwards, it sounds like that’s common all year round. We actually quite enjoyed walking around the park because it was so strange.

Flyover China

While most of the park probably hasn’t been updated since the 1980s, the Flyover China ride is brand new.

Flyover China is a 4-D “soaring” simulation ride combined with an immersive domed screen. It’s just like Disneyland’s Soarin’ California (now Soarin’ Around the World). The ride itself feels like you’re on a hang glider soaring over the various landscapes and architecture of China. During the ride you feel wind blowing through your hair and water spraying you as you fly past a waterfall.

Taikoo Li Sanlitun

After our returning from our flying adventure over China, the three of us headed back to Beijing to meet our better halves for dinner. They told us to meet them at Taikoo Li Sanlitun, a shopping center in the Sanlitun area of Beijing. Those looking for fashionable dining, international shopping and nightlife can find it here.

Some people in the group were going to grab dinner, but David’s wife, Alana, and Annie wanted to get foot massages at a local spa. David and I decided to join them since we hadn’t seen them all day and we were glad we did.

Bodhi Spa

Bodhi Spa is an upscale spa located just a few blocks from Taikoo Li. Before beginning, they brought us into a room where we ordered appetizers and tea. We could order as much as we wanted and they had light items like dumplings, peanut butter sandwiches and a tomato and egg dish.

After the appetizers, the staff escorted us to our “private” massage room. When we got there we couldn’t help but notice four chairs and it was obvious that we were all going to have massages together.

A pair of khaki pants were lying on each chair and it was obvious that we should change into them. We were laughing at the situation since we had either just met each other or had only professional relationships up until this trip. We all decided to turn around and give a signal when were all changed.

The massages were 80 minutes long and while it started with the feet, it included a shoulder, arm and leg massage as well. We all loved it and had so much fun sharing the experience together. We also tried to converse with the staff, but the language barrier made it difficult but also provided some laughs.

In total, each person spent $34 which included the appetizers and 80-minute massage. If only we could find a spa in the U.S. that could provide all that for such a low price!

Friday Activities

After seeing the historic landmarks Friday morning, we wanted to spend the afternoon seeing some of the non-touristy aspects of Beijing.

Wangfujing Food Market

All of us wanted to see a true food market where they sell insects on sticks and things like that. So our tour guide took us to Wangfujing Food Market.

The market was busy and had vendor after vendor selling different foods on sticks. It was a feast for the senses as we saw exactly what we were looking for and the smells fluctuated from interesting to disgusting. There was candied fruit on sticks, mystery meats on sticks and insects on sticks.

Dakota had decided that he couldn’t leave China without trying the scorpions. After ordering, the vendor fried up some fresh scorpions for him. It took him a few minutes to muster up the courage to try the first one, but he finally did. For a minute we thought he might throw it up, but he was able to swallow it. He claimed it had little taste and was basically just crunchy. I think he ate the second one so he could capture the scene on video.

He kept trying to pawn the third one off on David or me, but we were never going to accept. We had a good laugh because he kept telling us that it didn’t taste bad and we should try it. And we kept saying that if it doesn’t taste bad, then why isn’t he eating it? It ended up in the garbage can on our way out of the market.

Hong Qiao New World Pearl Market

After our food market experience, we headed to the Hong Qiao Maket, a local mall, to try and find some souvenirs to bring back to our families. The mall was mostly made up of small stores which carried nothing but junk.

The worst part was that each store had someone standing just outside trying to entice you to come in. And by “entice” I mean hassling you and following you as you walk by. It was difficult to focus as we walked through the mall, having people on either side of us trying to pull us into their stores. But as with everything on this trip, it was a unique experience that I’m glad I could witness it in person.

These stores have plenty of low priced junk and brand name knock-offs. Just remember to bargain and never pay full price. David was able to get us two t-shirts for like 80% off the original asking price.

Fanghua

The mall had four floors and as you ascended, the stores get more normal and more legit. On the top floor was Fanghua Pearls, which is a famous Chinese jewelry store. China is the largest producer of cultured pearls in the world and so both David and I wanted to get a gift for our wives.

The staff was very nice and helpful, and we both purchased gifts that our wives loved!

Food

Peking Duck

Beijing is known for its crispy roast duck, also known as Peking duck. We had duck twice during our week in Beijing. The first was with our wives and their coworkers on Wednesday night. The restaurant was recommended by their manager who is from Beijing and unfortunately I have no idea what it was called.

The duck is so juicy and the skin is crisp, salty and delicious.

For lunch on Friday, the three of us guys stopped at a non-touristy restaurant called Da Wan Ju. We decided to experience the roast duck for the final time on the trip. To enjoy the duck, you take a paper-thin pancake and grab a few pieces of duck. Then you can add things like cucumber, radish, and/or scallion and then finish it off with the sweet bean sauce. It’s like a Chinese taco!

Haidilao Hot Pot

The most interesting and unique meal of the trip came on the last night. The entire U.S. group and their Chinese coworkers went out to Haidilao Hot Pot. Hot pot is an experience, and while we have these restaurants in Chicago, they don’t compare to this one. Haidilao focuses on high-service, high-tech, and high-quality.

The restaurant has become so popular that waiting in line for one or two hours to get a table is fairly common. Luckily we didn’t wait more than 15 minutes, but if you have to wait longer, the restaurant is prepared. They have an entertainment area that provides customers with board games, free snacks, drinks, manicures, and massages.

So what is Hot Pot?

You sit at tables of eight, and cook various ingredients—thinly sliced meats, mushrooms, shrimp, fresh noodles, and more—in a pot of simmering, seasoned broth, heated on an induction burner or electric range. Once cooked to your liking, you dip it in your sauce of choice and eat it.

Haidilao has a whole do it yourself sauce station with individual elements for you to mix, including minced cilantro, oyster sauce, sesame oil, and black vinegar. We all made two sauces—one sweet and one spicy—with help from my wife’s manager.

The food was excellent and the place is alive with energy. However, what really contributes to the restaurant’s uniqueness is it’s technology. They use robots as bus boys who take dirty plates back to the kitchen. If you get in their way or cover their “eyes”, they stop and start talking. We were told that when stopped for a few seconds, they say “excuse me” in Mandarin in hopes that they can continue to their destination.

After dinner, we went into the back to see more robots. In the kitchen, robot arms take mini-trays of meat, vegetables, etc. and place them onto bigger trays. Once the order is complete, waiters come around and pick up the tray to deliver to the table.

Bottom Line

Beijing is a massive, sprawling city with so much to do. I feel like we got decent exposure to it’s culture, architecture, arts, and cuisine. We were able to get a taste of old Beijing, new Beijing, tourist landmarks, and non-touristy locations too.

China may not be tops on your list of place to visit, but if you get the chance, I’d take it in a heartbeat.

Trip Report Index

1. Planning our Trip to Beijing
2. Flight from Chicago to Beijing
3. Holiday Inn Beijing Haidian
4. The Great Wall at Gubeikou
5. Activities in Beijing
6. Bullet Train between Beijing and Shanghai
7. Charms Hotel Shanghai
8. Activities in Shanghai
9. Flight from Beijing to Chicago