Beijing

Many people visit Beijing with one thing in mind; the Great Wall. Less than two hours away from the city centre, you can easily reach several of the restored sections of the greatest constructive achievement in the world. You can read our thoughts on visiting the Great Wall below.

But there is so much more to China’s sprawling capital city. A mix of ancient tradition and forward-thinking metropolis, Beijing is a - sometimes bewildering - cultural hub. Head to the Forbidden City, and witness the best preserved – and largest – imperial palace in the world. Take a dragon boat on Kunming Lake to the Summer Palace, the ancient traditional Chinese gardens. Explore the gargantuan Tian’anmen Square or grab a rickshaw through the Hutong district. To relax, and for shopping and drinks, head to Sanlitun for the nightlife.

Beijing is enriched by its history but by no means stuck in it. Offering travellers such a mix of charm, austerity, excitement, culture and colourful nightlife, there is nowhere quite like Beijing.