Beijing

BEIJING - Ancient and Modern Capital

Beijing, China's capital city for over 700 years, is rich in history, both ancient and modern.

Beijing is home to some of the finest remnants of China's imperial past, most famously the Great Wall of China, China's legendary line of defense; the Forbidden City, the largest and best-preserved ancient imperial palace complex in the world; the Temple of Heaven, fascinating site of imperial worship; and the Summer Palace, a lovely imperial garden. There is also Tian'anmen Square where the People's Republic of China was inaugurated by Chairman Mao, whose body still resides there in its show casket.

Beijing has a glorious past, but is by no means stuck in the past. Standing side-by-side with old Beijing's crimson palace complexes are the city's modern buildings, the super-modern Olympic Village, with the Bird’s Nest Stadium and Water Cube; the dazzling shopping malls in Wangfujing Street and the colorful entertainment center of Houhai.

Despite all the changes in recent years, traditional lifestyle has been well-preserved in the oldest neighborhoods of the city — the Hutongs, which are mazes of narrow alleyways and old traditional courtyard houses. A tour by rickshaw through the Hutongs will give travelers a glimpse of old Beijing.

1.The Forbidden City

The Forbidden City, which housed 24 emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties (1368–1911), is the best preserved imperial palace in China and the largest ancient palatial structure in the world. The design and the layout of the 870 buildings in the palace represent the essence of traditional Chinese architecture.

2.The Great Wall of China

The Great Wall of China extends 4,000 miles. Construction of the wall began over 2,000 years ago and lasted for over 1,000 years. There are several Great Wall sections around Beijing, including restored sections and rugged sections.

3.The Temple of Heaven

The Temple of Heaven, the royal altar where the emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties worshipped heaven, is seen as the most holy of Beijing's imperial temples. It has been described as "a masterpiece of architecture and landscape design" 

4.  The Summer Palace
The Summer Palace is the best-preserved imperial garden in the world, and the largest of its kind still in existence in modern China. It is a representative of traditional Chinese garden and a charming place to appreciate the artificial landscape first created hundreds of years ago.
  

5.Tian'anmen Square

Tian'anmen Square is the largest public square, and can accommodate a million people. It is where the ceremony for the founding of the People’s Republic was held.

6.Watching Beijing Opera

Beijing Opera is regarded as Chinese cultural treasure. The make up, the face masks, the gorgeous costumes, the unique vocal style, and the demanding actions make Beijing opera a high-class performance entertainment.

The Red Theater

While visiting Tian'anmen Square, The Forbidden City, and other nearby tourist must-sees, take a walking-distance stroll to the Red Theater. It's the new must-see for any and every theater or kung fu enthusiast.

Formerly known as the Chongwen Worker's Cultural Palace Theater, the Red Theater is known for its kung fu and martial arts performances. The fight choreography has become legend.

Its dazzling lighting, heart pounding sound and movie like effects pour off of the stage and into the laps of its audience members. 3D loses its novelty as the third wall is broken down and martial arts practitioners from all over China clash on the stage.

Recent renovations have put the Red Theater back on the map. Improved spacing, stage facilities and upgraded tech leave the Red Theater unrivaled in the world of theater; forget Shakespearean, this is Kung Fu Theater.

The Poly Theater

The Poly Theater, "the theater of protection and benefit" in Chinese, was designed by the British International Stage Designing Company Ltd. It has been graded Type A by the Chinese Ministry of Culture and well deserving; its quality is bar none.

Known more for its musical and dance pieces the Poly Theater releases both domestic and international dramas with multiethnic performers from every corner of the Earth. A mix of foreign and local audiences may watch African dance troupes one weekend, Hamlet the next, and a traditional Chinese drama a few weeks afterwards.

With literally hundreds of performances year round in English or Chinese with English subtitles, (yes, subtitles on stage) the Poly Theater beckons the theatrically inclined and even those who may not be.

The National Grand Theater

Last but by no means least, The National Grand Theater, Beijing's largest, is encompassed by a manmade lake that more resembles aliquid halowhen moonlit. The stunning glass and titanium exterior are molded in the curvaceous egg-shaped structure.

Designed by the French architect Paul Andreu, the theater seats over five thousand. Concert halls, opera houses, and dramatic theater stages find a home in the 212 meters long, 144 meters wide, and 46 meters high dome. It is the five star equivalent of the theater industry.

Guests are left speechless before even stepping inside. The theater dominates the landscape; the path leading to the massive entrance takes guests underneath the lake. Inside visitors are greeted by passionate, bi-lingual hosts and astounded by Peking Opera performances that won't be soon forgotten.

The Peking Opera's blend of makeup and mask, drama and history transports audiences to a time and place once forgotten.

Sets are designed in such detail that it mirrors that of Chinese architecture and costumes appear almost stripped from the skin of Qing Dynastycitizens. If the Great Wall represents the backbone of China then Peking Opera is its voice.

China offers far more than museums and exhibitions, with ancient art and volumes of history. The theater scene in China is alive, vibrant and history in the making.