Things to do in  Beijing

The Chinese capital and an Olympic city, Beijing offers thousands of years of history. UNESCO World Heritage Sites include the Forbidden City, the Summer Palace, and the Temple of Heaven, while 100-acre (40-hectare) Tiananmen Square is one of the world’s largest city squares. Beijing duck is famous around the world.

Drawing close to 20 million visitors a year, the Forbidden City (Palace Museum) is one of the world’s most visited museums and Beijing’s top tourist attraction. The home of emperors, empresses, concubines, and eunuchs for more than 500 years, the UNESCO-listed palace includes more than 900 buildings amid courtyards and gardens.

No. In three days, it’s possible to eat roast duck, catch a show, and see the Forbidden City, the Summer Palace, the Temple of Heaven, and the Great Wall. But Beijing has so much more to offer, from temples and alleyways (hutong) to clubs, bars, crafts, shopping, museums, and galleries.

The top activities in Beijing vary by the time of year. Ice skating is a must in winter time, when frozen lakes transform into ice rinks full of toys; boat rides are popular in summer. Shows span the gamut from Beijing opera to kung fu, while food tours are a great choice whatever the weather.

Yes. Government surveillance means that it’s rare for tourists to experience serious crime in Beijing. However, pickpocketing and scams, including the tea scam and the massage scam, are quite common: do not join strangers for food, drink, or a massage, avoid unmarked taxis, and be aware that China operates a zero tolerance policy for drugs.

Beijing has all the rich night culture you’d expect of a world city, from night markets through to bars, clubs, and restaurants, while the Forbidden City dazzles with the lights lit up. Cultural options run from dance, concerts, and theater through to acrobatic shows, kung fu performances, and Beijing opera.