Mapping Beijing!

Today, a map can help guide you through Beijing--which has been China's capital for seven centuries. The city is located in the northeast region of China, and was once named Peking. Beijing's population is the second highest throughout China. This city contains several noteworthy tourist destinations, and is renowned for its tasty cuisine.  

One of the top tourist destinations in Beijing is the Forbidden City. It functioned as the royal palace during the Ming Dynasty and Qing Dynasty, for nearly five centuries. The structure was built from 1406-1420, and contains nearly 1,000 original buildings. It is advisable that you spend at least half a day touring the Forbidden City, since it's full of architecture and history. The Forbidden City contains an array of fascinating, walls, gates, and courts.  

The National Grand Theater, or "The Egg," is another Beijing attraction that your Beijing map of the city can lead you to. Paul Andreu, a French architect, designed this structure. The main feature of this architecture is its dome, which contains glass and titanium. The National Grand Theater is nearly 12,000 square meters in size, seats nearly 5,500 people, and is encompassed by a manmade lake. It is located near the Great Hall of the People, and Tiananmen Square.  

Another place to visit in Beijing is the National Aquatics Center. This is a fascinating structure that's covered with a layer of plastic "pillows" that have the appearance of soap bubbles. This structure was where diving and swimming events took place during the Summer Olympics of 2008. At nighttime, the National Aquatics Center's LED lighting system transforms the cube into a sparkling rainbow of colors. 

Yet another attraction in Beijing that a map can help you to locate, is Houhai Lake. This body of water in central Beijing is encompassed by several stores, bars, and restaurants. It is particularly popular among foreign tourists in the city, but is also visited frequently by local youngsters and expatriates.  

Next, the Silk Street Market contains a huge selection of products, ranging from shirts to watches, and from souvenirs to jeans. While the prices are inexpensive, shoppers should be aware that many of the products are imitations of brand name apparel. However, tourists can bargain in order to pay prices that are lower than the marked ones.    

Finally, there's the Temple of Heaven, or "The Altar of Heaven." It's a group of Taoist buildings located in the southeastern region of Beijing. Emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties visited this structure annually, to pray for a successful harvest. The structure was built from 1406-142, by the Yongle Emperor.  

Before visiting Beijing, it's highly advisable that you book your  Beijing apartment online. That will guarantee you lodging once you arrive in the city, and one less thing to worry about!

Read about Beijing summer and Bogota nightlife in our travel guides!