Beijing Cruises

Overview

Beijing is a city in northern China, and is the capital of the People's Republic of China. Beijing is China's second largest city in terms of population, after Shanghai. Beijing is one of the Four Great Ancient Capitals of China. It is believed that Beijing was the largest city in the world from 1425 to 1650 and from 1710 to 1825. Despite the mayhem of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, like the damage caused by European military involvement, and the Japanese invasion of WWII. Even the recent intense urbanization and transformation, including the demolition of alley ways, Beijing still sustains tourist attractions that are rich in history. Although more known for its political significance in the West, the Tiananmen has long been the most vital tourist site of Beijing, both by itself and as the key entrance to the Forbidden City.

Things to Do

The main tourist attraction for anyone who visits China is The Great Wall of China. It is a fortification built from 3rd century BC until the beginning of the 17th century, in order to protect the various dynasties from raids by Mongols and other enemies. The Wall stretches over an astounding 3,948 miles.

Another historical site is The Forbidden City. It was the imperial palace during the Ming and the Qing dynasties. Known now as the Palace Museum, it has 800 buildings and more than 8,000 rooms. It is listed by UNESCO as the largest collection of preserved ancient wooden structures in the world, and was acknowledged as a World Heritage Site in 1987 as the "Imperial Palace of the Ming and Qing Dynasties".

Or you can visit The National Museum of China. It flanks the eastern side of Tiananmen Square. The museum was made to educate about the arts and history of China and it is directed by the Ministry of Culture of the Peoples Republic of China. It was formed in 2003 out of two separate museums that had already occupied the building, the Museum of the Chinese Revolution, and the National Museum of Chinese History.

Driving Directions

2001-1-1, Nanxiaojie,Guangqumen,
Chongwen District, Beijing, China 100061

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