Beijing Travel > Bailongtan Scenic Area

The Bailongtan (White Dragon Pool) Scenic Area is locatedon Longtan Shan (Longtan Mountain), near the Yanshan stretch of the Great Wall, roughly 100 kilometers from downtown Beijing. Considered by many to be one of Beijing's 16 classic land...  [Read more]

Beijing Travel > Badachu Park (Eight Great Sites Park)

Located on the southern slopes of the Western Hills (Xi Shan), about 16 km from downtown Beijing, Badachu Park (Eight Great Sites Park) is home to eight Buddhist temples and nunneries, some of which date backto the Sui Dynasty (581619 AD)....  [Read more]

Beijing Travel > Great Wall of China at Juyongguan Pass

A great wall needs at least one great pass, and, by Chinese estimation (they ought to know), Juyongguan is one of three great passes punctuating the ancient defensive line as it wends its way across northern China. The other two mark either...  [Read more]

Beijing Travel > Jingdong Canyon

Jingdong Canyon (Jingdong Da Xiagu) is situated some 85 km (53 miles) east of downtown Beijing and within an hour's drive of a number of other excellent Beijing day-trip attractions, including Pan Shan (Mount Pan), the Huangya Pass Great Wa...  [Read more]

Beijing Travel > Introduction to a one day tour of Hongluo Temple and Hongluo

Hongluo Temple is located at the southern foot of Hongluo Mountain in the northern part of Huairou district in Beijing. It was originally called Da Ming Temple (Temple of Enlightenment) and during the reign of the Ming emperor Zhengtong (14...  [Read more]

Beijing Travel > Hongluo Temple

Situated in the northern reaches of Beijing's mountainous and surprisingly wooded Huairou district, the Hongluo Temple Tourist resort comprises three main attractions: Hongluo Temple itself, Hongluo Shan (Red Spiral Shell Mountain) and a te...  [Read more]

Beijing Travel > Beijing Ancient Observatory

Built just south of an earlier Yuan Dynasty observatory, the Beijing Ancient Observatory dates back to 1442, and it served as the center of astronomical research (and much astrological speculation) through the Ming and Qing Dynasties. Today...  [Read more]

Beijing Travel > Lama Temple (Yonghe Gong)

If you only have the time, energy or inclination to visit one temple in Beijing, consider making it the Yonghe Gong (Lama Temple). This incredibly colorful and vibrant complex features gorgeous frescoes, gardensand sculptures and is a vivid...  [Read more]

Beijing Travel > Kangxi Grasslands

The Kangxi Grasslands, a 20 square-kmstretch alongside the shore of the Guanting Reservoir , is a tranquil expanse of rolling hills and plains. A popular destination for outdoor activities including fishing, bird watching, horse and camelba...  [Read more]

Beijing Travel > The Great Bell Temple

Home to the biggest bell in China, the Great Bell Temple (Dazhong Si) was built in 1733 during the Qing Dynasty. The bell itself, known as the King of Bells, was cast in 1405 during the rule of the Ming Emperor Yongle. More facts: the bell...  [Read more]

Beijing Travel > Yuanming Yuan

Yuanming Yuan, situated within the grounds of the Old Summer Palace, also known as the Gardens of Perfect Clarity and the Garden of Gardens, served as a retreat for the imperial Qing court before it was leveled and looted by British and Fre...  [Read more]

Beijing Travel > Fragrant Hills Park

Fragrant Hills Park (Xiangshan Gongyuan) is located some 20 kilometers northwest of Beijing, not far from the Summer Palace . Though the name could easily refer to the area's relatively fresh air (for Beijing) and the scent of trees and flo...  [Read more]