Tian'anmen

The symbol of New China, this gate was built in 1417 and renovated in 1981. It was originally called the Gate of Heavenly Succession. The late Chairman Mao proclaimed the founding of the People's Republic of China on the rostrum on October 1st, 1949. The gate has five passages, which were closed and used onlyon ceremonial occasions in the old days. The emperor alone was entitled to pass through the central passage.

Tian'anmen Square occupies an area of 49 hectares (122 acres), big enough to hold half a million people. The square has witnessed the Chinese people's struggle against foreign aggression and reactionary rule at home. Many tourists to Tian'anmen Square would like to have their pictures taken in front of the white marble Jinshuiqiao (Gold Water Bridges).

Forbidden City

This is the Palace Museum, also known as the Purple Forbidden City. It is the largest and most well preserved imperial residence in China today. In 1987, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization recognized the Forbidden City as a world cultural legacy.

Great Wall

The Great Wall, symbolizing China's ancient civilization, is one of the world's most renowned projects. It is a distance of 75 kilometres northwest of Beijing. Its highest point at Badaling is some 800 metres above sea level.Construction of the Wall first began during the period of the Warring States (476 - 221 BC). The Great Wall which we are going to visit was rebuilt during the Ming Dynasty in the 16th century. It extends from Shanhaiguan Pass, a seaport along the coast of Bohai Bay, to Jiayuguan Pass in Gansu Province. Its total length is more than 6,700 kilometres.

Ming Tombs

The Ming Tombs was built under the order of the third emperor of the Ming Dynasty, Emperor Yongle.As a frontier commander, he was aware that a peaceful northern frontier was of great importance to the Ming Palace, he chose this valley to build his tomb. All his successors followed his example and had their tombs built here, except one who was dethroned and buried in the western suburb. Out of the sixteen emperors, thirteen lie here with their empresses and concubines.The tombs are located about 50 kilometres to the north of Beijing.

Summer Palace

The construction of the Summer Palace first started in 1750. The monarch in power then was Emperor Qianlong. he summoned skillful and ingenious artisans from all over the country to carry out this construction work in honor of his mother's birthday. Characterized by its vast scope and rich cultural embodiments, the Summer Palace has become one of the most famous tourist sites in the world.

Temple of Heaven

The Temple of Heaven is one of the most strictly protected and preserved cultural heritages of China. There are 12 million visitors every year. The Circular Mound Altar The largest group of architectures ever to be dedicated to Heaven, the Temple of Heaven served as an exclusive altar for Chinese monarchs during the Ming and Qing dynasties. It was decreed that rulers of successive dynasties would place altars in their own capitals to worship Heaven and pray for good harvest.

Lugouqiao ( Marco Polo) Bridge

Lugouqiao (literally the Bridge Over the Reed Ditch) has been made famous by at least three historic events: Marco Polo's description, Emperor Qianlong's inscription and the outbreak of the War against the Japanese Aggressors. Officially the bridge was called the "Lugou Stone Bridge", and it was built completely of white stone and looked majestic with a total of 485 stone lions lined on the balustrades of both sides. Almost from its very inception, namely in the Mingchang period (1190-1208) of the Jin Dynasty, the bridge was listed by travellers and men of letters as one of the "Eight Scenic Spots of Yanjing (Beijing)" under the descriptive title "Lugou Xiaoyue" or Moon Over Lugou at Daybreak (The Morning Moon Over Lugou Bridge ).

Ruins of Yuanmingyuan

Yuanmingyuan or the Garden of Perfection and Brightness, located on the northwestern outskirts of Beijing, is one of the five famous gardens built during the Qing Dynasty.Yuanmingyuan actually included three separate gardens. And the three put together covered an area of nearly 350 hectares. Unfortunately, when the Anglo-French forces invaded Beijing in 1860, the whole grounds were set on fire. In 1900, Yuanmingyuan was again plundered by two Allied Forces of the Eight Powers. Warlords and bandits stole or destroyed what was left. Now, outlines of the imperial garden can still be traced, and much of the area has been planted with trees. Paths and bridges have been renovated. A museum has been set up showing the history of Yuanmingyuan and plans for its future restoration.

World Park in Beijing

Located in the Fengtai District of Beijing 16 kilometres from the city proper, the World Park in Beijing features 106 of the most famous sites from 14 countries and regions the world over.The park, measuring 46.7 hectares (116.75 acres) in size, consits of two parts: The scenic area in miniature displayed according to the position of its country on the map, and a shopping, dining and enteratinment area. The park includes most of the recognized spots of interest on the globe. Lawns in the park are dotted with 100 well-known sculptures, among them the Statue of Liberty, the Little Mermaid from Copenhagan, Michelangelo's David and the Venus de Milo.Regular international parades of folklore are planned to provide the tourist with a chance to view folk customs from different countries.

Prince Gong's Mansion

The Mansion is the most exquisitely decorated and best preserved of the princes' mansions in the capital city. Besides the residence there is also a large garden. Nowadays, a few such mansions dating from the Ming Dynasty are still standing. These gardens are ingeniously constructed with complementary buildings and terraces, well spaced vegetation and hill paths that wind their way around cool and tranquil grottos. They are an exquisite combination of classical Chinese architecture and tasteful landscape.

China Millennium Monument

All over the world, celebrations and festivities to usher in Year 2000 make up one of the grandest spectacles at the end of the century, as mankind strides towards the new century and millennium. At the turn of the century and millennium, the China Millennium Monument. with its oriental cultural overtones and contemporary architectural art, will promote the national spirit by embodying an original style, displaying a modern aestheticism, and expressing hopes of the future.

Altar of Earth

Built in 1530, the Altar of Earth is extended over an area of 37 hectares, it was surrounded by a double square enclosure. The outer enclosure no longer stands but its west gate remains. For more than four centuries, the Altar of Earth was the sacred place where the emperors of the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties worshipped the God of Earth. The place, formally reopened in 1984, has been converted into a park mainly serving the aged.