Things to Do in Beijing
It would take years plus an emperor's attitude to conquer all of the attractions in China's capital. First things first, head to Tiananmen Square where you'll find the Forbidden City, the National Museum of China and numerous other monuments. Afterward, head to nearby Beihai Park (Beihai Gongyuan), a green space has been a preserved sanctuary for more than a millennium. An hour's drive north lies the city's and perhaps the country's most renowned attraction: the Great Wall of China. The 2,232-year-old wall weaves 5,500 miles throughout the rolling hills.
When the crowds inevitably get overwhelming, take a note from the ancient emperors and retreat to the Summer Palace (Yiheyuan), which possesses the largest imperial garden in China. The Seventeen-Arch Bridge spans across Kunming Lake, boasting wonderful views of the east bank and South Lake Island. Don't miss the Olympic Park for a look at the National Stadium, National Aqautic Center and the Olympic Forest Park.