Discovering Beijing

At Beijing’s heart, the Forbidden City has stood guard for 600 years. To its south, the other big-hitters:

Tiananmen Square, Mao’s mausoleum and Qianmen. These are only a few of what China’s top tourist

destination can offer. You can easily get around the city by the subway. It is fast and easy, with English

signs, but some areas still aren’t served. The arrival of Uber is a welcome plan B to taxis, whose drivers

mostly don’t speak English and are hard to hail. But what more can this city can offer? Below are only

some of Beijing’s top features:

Where to Stay

RAFFLES. Beijing’s grand dame, close to the

Forbidden City, once hosted Charles de Gaulle

and George Bernard Shaw. After a revamp by

Raffles, it has the comfort and luxury to match its

heritage.

THE TEMPLE. Tucked in an atmospheric alley, this

eight-room boutique in a converted 600-year-old

temple keeps things fresh and funky with modern

art and 1960’s furniture mixed in with Qing-

dynasty carpentry.

W BEIJING. Halfway between Tiananmen Square

and the CBD, this newbie has top dining options

and a spa, and all the mod-cons and playful

design you’d expect from the W brand, including

“W insiders” who can book you that Peking opera

class last minute.

AMAN AT SUMMER PALACE. A lot of hotels claim

to offer the royal treatment, but this grand resort

backs onto the Summer Palace, giving guests

after-hours access to the Dowager Empress’s playground. Daily tea ceremonies, other cultural offerings

and elegant courtyards add to the imperial appeal.

Where to Go

THE GREAT WALL. Some of the most picturesque parts are an easy drive from Beijing. Hire a driver to get

to remote Jinshanling or Gubeikou, then soak tired limbs at the open-until-late Feng Shan Hot Springs

Resort. Trek wild sections of the Great Wall with Beijing Hikers or stay the night at charming retreats

beside the wall for a private ensuite and the Brickyard at Mutianyu, so you can see the wall early in the

morning and late at night, day-tripper-free.

FORBIDDEN CITY, TIANANMEN SQUARE AND QIANMEN GATE. The big boys align on a north south axis. The

energetic can cover all three by foot in one day. For full enlightenment and saucy tales of court intrigue,

bring along an engaging guide.

SUMMER PALACE. Escape the city to wander gardens, orchards and pavilions, and to boat out on the lake.

It’s especially pretty during April blossom season.

TEMPLE OF HEAVEN. The complex, whose highlights include an ancient sacrificial altar and an ingenious

echo wall, is enclosed by a lively park—arrive by 7 a.m. to see locals doing water-brush calligraphy, tai chi

and swordplay.

NATIONAL CENTRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS. Affectionately nicknamed “The Egg,” this ultra-modern

icon hosts internationally acclaimed orchestras, Western and Peking opera, ballet and theater groups, in a

setting as dramatic as the performances.

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