The capital of the People’s Republic of China and a cosmopolitan world city, Beijing’s history and current role make it a place where ancient and modern worlds blend. From the laneways of old Beijing, where you can witness centuries-old Chinese architecture, to the National Stadium, commonly known as the ‘bird’s nest’, the continuity, diversity and vitality of Beijing are always apparent.
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The Forbidden City
Located in the centre of Beijing, the Forbidden City was the Imperial Palace of the Ming dynasty (1368–1644) and Qing dynasty (1644–1911). Twenty-four emperors ruled from here and now it serves as the National Palace Museum, displaying treasures from the two dynasties. The entire palace is elegantly decorated, luxurious and splendid. It’s also been declared a UNESCO World Heritage site.
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The Great Wall of China
The Great Wall is a symbolic representation of the Chinese nation. It has a total length of over 19,000 kilometres and is one of the world's greatest and most recognised structures, spanning northern China from east to west. It was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1987. Construction began during the rule of Qin Shi Huang (246–221 BC) and was extended by subsequent rulers. Sections of earlier fortifications were joined together to form a united defence system against invasions from the north. Construction continued up until the Ming dynasty (AD 1368–1644), when the Great Wall became the world's largest military structure. Its historic and strategic importance is matched only by its architectural significance.
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National Stadium (Bird's Nest)
Debuting for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, the National Stadium’s main body is constructed by a series of steel trusses seamlessly woven around a bowl to form a ‘bird's nest’ shape, reminiscent of the beauty and harmony of nature. With its advanced energy-saving design and incorporated sustainability measures, the National Stadium is one of China’s large-scale environmentally friendly buildings.
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Other attractions
Siheyuan architecture: Siheyuan are old Beijing–style houses built around quadrangle courtyards. Typically, four houses are connected to each other to form a square structure with the courtyard in the centre.
Shopping: Beijing is a great spot to shop for Chinese handicrafts and souvenirs, including silk flowers, silk dolls, Cloisonné and traditional Chinese snacks such as preserved fruits.
Website: english.visitbeijing.com.cn
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