With the unique distinction of being China’s state and cultural capital, Beijing is a one-of-a-kind city. It boasts 1,000 years of history and a rich heritage that has spanned over seven dynasties and many rulers. A city filled with treasures both ancient and modern, there are many things to do and places to see during a tour to Beijing. Beijing has something for everyone it is a tourist haven for those who enjoy looking back in time and this beautiful city has plenty of things to do for both the young and the young at heart.
Beijing International Golf Club
For golfing enthusiasts or if anyone who wants to take a little break after a long business meeting, the Beijing International Golf Club (phone #: 0-106-974-5678) is the prefect place to unwind. Located in northwest Beijing near the Ming Tombs, this 18-hole professional Beijing International Golf Club is a golfer’s delight.
Skating During your Beijing Tour
If you visit Beijing in the winter, you will find that the city has excellent outdoor ice skating at Bei Hai Gongyuan and the Summer Palace. If you prefer indoor skating, Beijing's largest rink is the La Cool, Guomao Liubing Chang in the underground shopping center that connects the Traders Hotel to the China World Hotel.
Open Sunday to Friday from 10 am to 10 pm, this skating rink is not to be missed on a tour of Beijing. Even more popular in winter among the locals is bing che (or "ice cars"). These cars are an exciting experience as they are steered by ski poles and rent for around ¥5 per hour.
Winter Swimming in Beijing-China’s Capital
For the extremely adventurous, you can try a bit of winter swimming with the locals at the frozen lake near the East Gate of the Summer Palace. Many natives gather here to invigorate themselves by taking a quick dip in the sub-zero temperatures of the lake.
Hiking and Mountain Climbing in Beijing (China)
Beijing has excellent opportunities for hiking and mountain climbing. Besides climbing the mountains that surround the city, Beijing also has two outdoor climbing walls. The largest is an 18 m (60 foot) wall within the east gate of Longtan Hu Gongyuan, while a 15m (50 foot) wall stands in the center of Ri Tan Gongyuan. Besides the conventional hiking trips, many of Beijing’s famous landmarks also offer long walks. The Great Wall, the Summer Palace and the Forbidden City are just some of the many places where one can walk for hours on end discovering China’s rich heritage.
Scuba Divining, Kung Fu, Yoga and Tai Chi
Beijing offers fun sporting activities. Scuba diving is attracting a growing number of water-sports fanatics because the Water Sports Expo 2000 was held in Beijing. The ever-popular table tennis and martial arts facilities are also on hand to give visitors a glimpse into the Chinese work ethic when they are on a Beijing trip. There is also Wushu (commonly known as Kung fu) which uses the body and the mind for defense and discipline. Many local clubs and gyms offer Kung-fu classes. If you want to relax during while on a tour in Beijing, Yoga and Tai Chi are great for the body, mind and soul. The Yoga Yard located at Fangjia Yuan Hutong 11 (http://www.yogayard.com) offers Hatha Yoga classes for all levels and the Chinese Culture Club has regular Tai Chi courses in English.
Kite flying
Kite flying is a popular Chinese pastime. Most locals fly their kites around Tiananmen Square and the Ri Tan Gongyuan Park. You can rent the kites or purchase them if you want to try your hand during your Beijing tour. A good selection of kites can be found at Guanyuan Shichang.
Zoos and Amusement Parks in Beijing China
For those who prefer family fun, Beijing has many great zoos and amusement parks. The Beijing Zoo in Xicheng District is the oldest zoo in China. It has over 5,000 animals and a panda sanctuary, which is the only place in the city where visitors can see the giant pandas on a trip to Beijing. Other rare and endangered animals found here include the golden monkey, white-lipped deer and red-crowned crane. The Blue Zoo Beijing in Chaoyang District is an incredible aquarium that is great fun for the kids. The main attraction here is a 130 meter (429 foot) moving walkway under a tank where sharks swim above your head.
The Beijing Amusement Park in Longtan Park is ideal for families. It has live entertainment, rides, a water show, paddleboats, bumper cars and roller coasters. Another option is the Beijing Recreation Center on Beisihuanzhong Road. This center has a wave pool, a simulated river and three slides. It includes a sports complex that provides bowling, squash, tennis, roller skating, billiards and a sauna. The Miraculous Amusement Palace in Chaoyang Park features wax exhibits and scenery from many famous Chinese stories including “A Journey to the West” and is a great way to introduce children to Chinese culture.
Museums in Beijing- China’s Capital
If you want to further investigate China’s rich traditions and heritage, there are many museums, art galleries and temples to visit in Beijing. The Museum of Chinese History, located near Tiananmen Square, has more than 9,000 ancient Chinese relics on display including some pieces that date back 5,000 years. The museum is in the same building as the Museum of the Chinese Revolution, which contains artifacts from 1919 to 1949, when the Chinese Revolution under Chairman Mao occurred. The Capital Museum in Dongcheng was an imperial temple and university before it was converted into a museum.
The Beijing Museum of Natural History is the largest museum in China. It contains fossils and specimens of nearly all plants and animals found in the entire country.
China Art Gallery and the Contemporary Art Gallery in Beijing are great places to view some of the more famous works of Chinese artists. The China Art Gallery is the country’s national museum of art with permanent displays of ancient Chinese paintings and drawings.
White Cloud Temple and Yonghegong Lamasery are two of the more popular temples in Beijing. The White Cloud Temple (also known as Tianchang Temple) is the largest Taoist temple in the city and the center of Taoism in China. The Yonghegong Lamasery is one of the largest lamaseries in Beijing.
