Beijing > Beijing Holidays 2019: Last-Minute Tours and Prices

Beijing — an amazing metropolis where ancient civilization blends seamlessly with modern infrastructure, and where there are many interesting places for culture lovers and shopping enthusiasts. The capital of the “Middle Kingdom” captivates with its beauty and modernity. Everyone who comes to Beijing will never forget the grandeur of the skyscrapers in the business center, the mystery of the Forbidden City, and the solemnity of the main square. A tourist is instantly imbued with the city’s unique atmosphere and falls in love with Beijing forever.

Where it is located

The cultural and political capital of China is located on the Great Chinese Plain, surrounded by two mountain ranges — Xishan and Jundu, in the northeastern part of the PRC. On three sides Beijing is surrounded by Hebei Province, and to the southeast lies Tianjin, where the country’s largest port is located. Two rivers flow through the city, as well as a waterway called the “Grand Canal”, which connects it with the provinces and cities of China. Beijing is one of China’s megacities, with a population of more than 21 million people. The country’s largest international airport, “Shoudu”, is located here. It receives direct flights from Kyiv. The distance from the airport to the city center is 32 km. It can be covered by metro, bus, private transfer or taxi.

When it is best to go

It is best to go on a sightseeing trip to Beijing in April or in autumn — in September–October. Spring in the city is extremely warm; by autumn, heavy rains stop, the heat subsides, but the air is still well warmed, so that tourists feel comfortable during walks. In winter Beijing is cold and windy — such weather is not suitable at all for excursions to the numerous attractions of the Chinese capital.

What to do

In Beijing, futuristic business centers, standard residential areas and temple complexes are combined in an astonishing way. The city is divided into 14 districts and 2 counties. Tourists should pay attention to Dongcheng — the district where the Forbidden City is located, along with ancient temples, the main shopping street of the city — Wangfujing, the National Museum and Tiananmen Square. In Dongcheng there is a high concentration of both budget and upscale rental housing, which makes it an ideal district for tourists.

Xicheng is less popular — a district occupying part of the old city. Its territory has many interesting attractions — the imperial Beihai Park, temples, museums, the Beijing Zoo and the National Theatre.

Beijing’s attractions

The Forbidden City sprawls over an area of 72 hectares. It is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List as the largest palace complex on the planet. The palace ensemble consists of 800 structures built at the beginning of the 15th century. It owes its name to the ban on visits by ordinary people, as for centuries it served as the residence of several imperial dynasties.
Tiananmen Square is one of China’s main attractions. Its size allows it to hold one million spectators. It is located near the Forbidden City and serves as the venue for ceremonial events and the raising of the national flag.
The National Museum of China preserves the country’s centuries-old history. The age of some artefacts is several millennia.
Mao’s Mausoleum is located on Tiananmen Square. It is a cult structure symbolizing the country’s political system.
The National Centre for the Performing Arts is known for its unique architecture. The futuristic ellipsoid building is situated in the middle of a body of water. Tourists who come for a holiday in Beijing visit the theater to see its unusual design.
Beihai Park is not only a concentration of plants, but also of temples. It began to be laid out as early as the 10th century. In general, Beijing’s parks are a unique sight — neat, with numerous lakes and bridges, and elegant pavilions for unhurried relaxation of city residents.
The city zoo will appeal to both children and adults. Its inhabitants include China’s national symbol — pandas. You can also see amusing snub-nosed monkeys, tigers and other representatives of local and foreign fauna. The Beijing Zoo is the seventh largest in the world; 600 species of animals and birds live on its territory.

Where to eat

Contrary to popular belief, local residents of the city treat fried scorpions and other insects skeptically. They avoid such food, preferring fairly traditional dishes — noodles, Peking duck, lamb, and sweet pancakes stuffed with wood ear mushrooms (served as an appetizer in any café).

You can try gastronomic delights in numerous restaurants, many of which specialize in excellently prepared fish and seafood.

Ginger Asian Bistro

A restaurant of Chinese and Thai cuisines where seafood is served alongside excellently prepared spring rolls, chicken with coconut, Mongolian beef, meat and poultry. The cozy atmosphere is perfect for a tourist who is tired after sightseeing walks. Prices are average.

Fast Dragon

A Chinese restaurant invites tourists to try exquisite crabs, shrimp and seafood prepared in various ways. Visitors speak positively about the chicken dishes with sauces. The establishment boasts reasonable prices and delightful service.

What to combine it with

Beijing is so enormous that there is no need at all to combine a holiday there with anything else. To see all the attractions, temple complexes, and visit the beautiful parks, you would need to come to Beijing for a holiday at least ten times.