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My memories of Beijing begin with a trip on a green train seventeen years ago. Back then, as a child, I was still a child, following my family on a long journey to the capital. Though it was so long ago, Beijing has left a deep impression on me. Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, Wangfujing... the grandeur of the capital is still vivid in my mind.
I'd always wanted to find an opportunity to go back. Finally, seventeen years later, on the occasion of China's 70th National Day, I braved the pressure of the overcrowded city and once again embarked on a journey to Beijing.
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[Cultural Tourism Slogan] Charming Beijing. Beijing, the capital of China, is one of my country's "Four Ancient Capitals." This international modern metropolis, a hub of Chinese politics, economy, culture, and technology, exudes a unique ancient charm. Bustling traffic and bustling crowds, scattered narrow and quiet alleyways; global languages converge in the CBD and Sanlitun, while at Shichahai Beach, elderly residents with a distinct Beijing flair play the erhu and sing Peking opera. Perhaps it's the imperial atmosphere lingering for millennia, the magic of the imperial capital, that draws you in, leaves, and wonders when you'll see it again.
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During the National Day holiday, Prince Gong's Mansion will not sell tickets offline, and the only way to buy tickets is online.
There are many security personnel at the entrance of Prince Gong's Mansion, holding signs with QR codes to facilitate tourists to scan the codes and buy tickets. This is very humane.
Prince Gong's Mansion was originally the home of Heshen. Thanks to Wang Gang's brilliant acting, Heshen became a household name. It was named Prince Gong's Mansion because it later became the residence of Prince Gong.
The Prince Gong Mansion was meticulously selected from its location to its architecture. Feng Shui was a popular ancient practice, and it was rumored that there were two dragon veins: one was the earth dragon vein of the Forbidden City, and the other was the water dragon vein of the Houhai area. The Prince Gong Mansion happened to be located on one of these dragon veins.
In addition, the scale and high architectural level of Prince Gong's Mansion are probably only comparable to the Forbidden City. It has witnessed the process of the Qing Dynasty from its heyday to its decline, so some people say that Prince Gong's Mansion is half of the history of the Qing Dynasty.
If I were to use one word to describe Prince Gong’s Mansion, it would be: blessing.
The culture of blessing permeates the entire Prince Gong Mansion. Walking through the mansion, one can see lanterns with the Chinese character "Fu" (blessing) hanging under the roofs everywhere. Bright red blessing plaques and red ribbons sway in the wind. Even the pond within the mansion is associated with blessing.
Looking down from a high altitude, the pool is shaped like a bat, and the word "bat" is homophonic with "Fu", which symbolizes good fortune.
The most eye-catching one is the "Fu" stele in Miyun Cave, which is known as the best blessing in the world. It is said that touching it will bring you good fortune.
In Prince Gong's Mansion, you can experience not only the culture of blessing but also its relaxed and open-minded side. The pavilion in the center of the lake, like the one in West Lake, is surrounded by lotus flowers, making it a very pleasant place to sit.
In the Zhisu Garden, you can also see a variety of vegetables grown in the fields, which makes it seem very down-to-earth. This was a common landscaping technique in the imperial gardens of the Qing Dynasty.
The purpose is to experience the farming life of farmers and express the importance of agricultural civilization. It can be said that the royal family has really taken great pains to experience people's livelihood.
However, this also makes the palace less cold and aloof. It is more like a leisure place for ordinary people, friendly and peaceful.
The ups and downs that happened in this palace in the past have become a thing of the past. What is left behind is a precious treasure full of historical sense for us, the descendants, to appreciate and recall.
Tips:
Ticket price: 40 yuan
Transportation: Shichahai Subway Station
The Summer Palace is located in the western suburbs of Beijing, adjacent to the Old Summer Palace, Tsinghua University and Peking University. It can be said that its geographical location is extremely advantageous.
Take the subway to Beigongmen, which takes you to the north gate of the Summer Palace. Walking through the gate, you'll find Longevity Hill. The hill isn't high, only about 50 meters, and from the top, you'll have sweeping views of Beijing's western suburbs.
There are many buildings on Wanshou Mountain, especially Tibetan Buddhist buildings, which are full of religious feeling. These buildings perfectly interpret the classic colors of Beijing: red walls and orange tiles.
Going down from Wanshou Mountain, you will reach the Long Corridor, which is the longest corridor I have ever seen and is also the longest corridor in the world certified by Guinness.
Every beam of the corridor is sprayed with colorful paintings, and the content of each painting is different, including landscapes, flowers, birds, fish, insects, and stories about people... It makes people marvel at the designer's genius.
Across from the Long Corridor is Kunming Lake, which reminds me of West Lake. Compared to the graceful West Lake, this place has a touch of nobility. After all, the Summer Palace is an imperial garden, and its layout and structure, as well as its landscape architecture, are all exquisitely crafted.
Today, Kunming Lake has become a great place for boating. When the sun sets, the lake is stained with golden light, rippling across the lake, and all worries disappear.
Another famous spot within Kunming Lake is the Seventeen-Arch Bridge. The "golden light shining through the holes" phenomenon, widely known in photography circles, is the result of this phenomenon, said to only appear around the winter solstice. The Seventeen-Arch Bridge at sunset offers a unique beauty.
The Summer Palace is vast and filled with historical and cultural attractions. A leisurely tour could easily take up a whole day. The Summer Palace is also perfect for a leisurely visit. Slow down, soak in the charm of this royal garden, and relax your mind.
Tips:
Ticket price: 40 yuan
Transportation: Subway "Beixinggong" Station
What is the flavor of Beijing? Some say it's the red walls and yellow tiles, others say it's fried noodles with soybean paste and candied haws. Regardless, one thing remains unavoidable: Beijing's hutongs.
Hutongs, or alleyways, are a type of street in Beijing, with thousands scattered across the city. Most of these hutongs are steeped in history and filled with life.
For example, near Prince Gong's Mansion, Dajinsi Hutong, Nanguanfang Hutong, and other alleys are scattered around, giving the area a nostalgic atmosphere. The afternoon sun shines through, and the air seems particularly lazy, causing visitors to consciously slow down their pace.
The Eight Great Hutongs near Hubaoqiao, once a hub of brothels, are now devoid of that old feel. Only the chirping of caged birds and the whirring bells of pedicabs whizz by remind visitors of Beijing's modernity and its ancient past.
Tips:
Tickets: None
Transportation: Eight Hutongs: Hufangqiao Subway Station
Almost every city with a historical heritage has a bell tower and a drum tower, such as Xi'an, Hangzhou, and Ningbo. As a cultural capital, Beijing's bell tower and drum tower have become a landmark.
Heading north along the central axis, you can see the red Drum Tower in the distance. Located at the intersection of three roads, the towering Drum Tower stands out among the surrounding tiled houses.
A hundred meters away from the Drum Tower is the Bell Tower, and between the two towers is an open square. In "My People, My Country", the opening scene of Ge You and his son was filmed here.
For old Beijingers, the sound of morning bells and evening drums is an indelible memory. Although the Bell and Drum Tower has long lost its timekeeping function, it still exudes charm as a historical landmark.
Tips:
Tickets: 30 yuan for a combined ticket
Transportation: Shichahai Subway Station
There are five altars and temples distributed in the east, west, south and north of the Forbidden City, namely the Temple of Heaven, the Temple of Earth, the Temple of the Sun, the Temple of the Moon and the Temple of Agriculture. The most famous one is the Temple of Heaven.
From the 18th year of the Yongle reign to the present day, the Temple of Heaven has gone through a long history of 600 years. As the place where the emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties offered sacrifices to heaven and prayed for a good harvest, it carries extremely important significance.
Today's Temple of Heaven, or more accurately, the Temple of Heaven Park, is mainly divided into the Inner Altar and the Outer Altar, and within the Inner Altar, there are the North and South Altars.
To the south is the Circular Mound Altar, where the emperor offered sacrifices to heaven. The three-story round altar is exquisitely shaped, with white marble columns and mugwort bluestone tabletops together forming this sacred altar.
During holidays, people even have to queue up to climb the Circular Mound Altar. Everyone lines up to step on the stone slab in the center of the altar to get some blessings.
Heading north from the Circular Mound Altar is the famous Echo Wall, also known as the Imperial Vault of Heaven's Wall. Legend has it that if one person whispers into the wall, another person over 100 meters away can hear it clearly. This is a physical phenomenon known as sound refraction.
Unfortunately, the Whispering Wall is now surrounded by a fence, so one can only imagine its wonder from the outside. As for why it's fenced off, the various "I've been here" inscriptions on the wall offer an answer.
Continuing north, we arrived at the Temple of Heaven's iconic building: the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests. This building is not only the symbol of the Temple of Heaven, but also the symbol of Beijing. The majestic Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, situated atop the Altar of Prayer, was the place where the emperor prayed for a good harvest.
The gilded roof, blue tiles and red pillars create a magnificent and splendid scene. Looking up at the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests from below, one is overwhelmed by its majestic and solemn atmosphere.
Compared with the Temple of Heaven, the Temple of Earth is undoubtedly much more low-key. The Temple of Heaven is dedicated to heaven, while the Temple of Earth is dedicated to earth. However, the more important significance of the Temple of Earth to Beijingers is that it is an excellent place for leisure.
I first learned about Ditan Park through Shi Tiesheng's article "I and Ditan Park." The line in it, "Ditan Park, don't think I've forgotten. I haven't forgotten anything, but some things are only suitable for collection," remains fresh in my memory.
The entrance fee to Ditan Park is very affordable, only 2 yuan. Perhaps because there are not many check-in spots, Ditan Park is mainly used by nearby residents for leisurely strolls.
Walking through the park, I could see elderly people in wheelchairs chatting under the trees, while young people strolled along the ginkgo trees. I could always picture Shi Tiesheng, in his wheelchair, lost in thought as he watched the people passing through Ditan Park.
While not as bustling and solemn as the Temple of Heaven, the Temple of Earth has a more peaceful and peaceful atmosphere, which is precisely what makes Beijing so fascinating.
Tips:
Tickets: 30 yuan for the Temple of Heaven, 2 yuan for the Temple of Earth
Transportation: Tiantan Subway Station (Tiantan East Gate); Ditan Subway Station (Hepingli West Street).
Where can you get a bird's eye view of the magnificent Forbidden City? The answer is Jingshan Park.
Jingshan Park faces the Forbidden City. Although the mountain is not high, it is high enough to overlook the imperial city. The ticket price is the same as that of Ditan Park, which is 2 yuan.
If you want a bird's-eye view of the Forbidden City from Jingshan Park, you need to climb to Wanchun Pavilion. From there, facing south, you can see the entire Forbidden City. Under the blue sky, the Forbidden City, with its golden tiles and red walls, is solemn and magnificent, with its layers of eaves and palaces stacked up, showcasing the grandeur of the imperial city.
Looking north, you can see historical buildings such as Di'anmen and the Bell and Drum Tower, and the city's central axis is unobstructed. The ancient and modern buildings complement each other, together forming the charming city of Beijing.
In addition to Wanchun Pavilion, the crooked tree at the foot of the mountain is another famous attraction.
This is where Chongzhen, the last emperor of the Ming Dynasty, hanged himself. On that night 375 years ago, Li Zicheng captured Beijing. Chongzhen and the eunuch Wang Chengen fled to Jingshan, then known as Coal Hill. Ultimately, Chongzhen hanged himself from a crooked tree.
Today, the crooked tree no longer exists, as another tree has been planted. However, the inscription on the monument below the tree, "The Place Where Emperor Sizong of Ming Died for His Country," still makes one feel the sadness of the emperor's death for his country.
Tips:
Ticket price: 2 yuan
Transportation: Nanluoguxiang Subway Station
The saying "If you haven't been to the Great Wall, you are not a true man" has been around for a long time. As a symbol of Chinese civilization, the Great Wall is a must-see when visiting Beijing.
There are dozens of sections of the Great Wall in Beijing, and the most famous is Badaling. However, precisely because of its popularity, Badaling is overcrowded during holidays, which is really frustrating. Therefore, I did not choose Badaling this time, but chose Mutianyu, a less crowded section.
The transportation to Mutianyu Great Wall is not very convenient, but you can take the Mutianyu bus directly there, of course the price is quite expensive.
Mutianyu Great Wall is very well-known abroad, so when you arrive at Mutianyu Great Wall, you will find that most of the tourists are foreigners.
There are two ways to get to the Great Wall, either hike up the mountain or take the cable car. Given my limited physical strength, I chose to go directly by cable car.
Standing on the Great Wall, you'll understand why people are so passionate about it. From afar, the mountains rise and fall, one peak after another, and the Great Wall winds through them like a giant dragon. Lush trees between the mountains and rivers are dense and desolate. Under dark clouds, eagles circle above the Great Wall, and the sense of 5,000 years of vicissitudes of life comes to mind.
From the Mutianyu Great Wall, you can even see Beijing from a distance, but you can basically only see the tallest building, the China Zun Building.
Due to protection reasons, the area of Mutianyu Great Wall currently open to the public is not very large, but it is enough to visit. The Great Wall is also quite steep, and some slopes are so steep that you even need to use your hands and feet.
The Great Wall cannot speak, yet it carries a sense of history. Every brick of the wall evokes memories of the past and present, and fuels endless imagination.
Tips:
Ticket price: 45 yuan
Transportation: Take the tourist bus directly to
Beijing is both ancient and modern. It boasts courtyard houses with black-tiled roofs and skyscrapers that reach the sky. When you visit Beijing, you need to experience its modernity.
The CCTV building, nicknamed "Big Pants" by netizens long ago, is truly magnificent despite the nickname. Located in the heart of the CBD, it complements the neighboring skyscrapers like the China Zun, becoming a new landmark in Beijing.
As Beijing's tallest building, the China Zun is not only a symbol of Beijing, but also of China. Its design, symbolizing supreme authority, perfectly embodies the ideals of traditional Chinese culture. This towering structure can be seen from virtually anywhere in downtown Beijing.
As night falls, the CBD switches on neon mode, and Beijing's modern feel is immediately apparent.
Tips:
Tickets: None
Transportation: Subway "Guomao" Station
What is the architectural symbol of China? In most people's minds, the Great Wall is one, and the other is the Forbidden City.
The Forbidden City, as the royal palace of the Ming and Qing dynasties, is the epitome of Chinese civilization. Its geographical location is also unique. Beijing is the center of China, and the Forbidden City is the center of Beijing.
Over 600 years ago, Zhu Di began planning the construction of Beijing, and the Forbidden City was built around this time. Over the centuries since, the Forbidden City has witnessed countless historical events. Whether in terms of its historical significance or architectural scale, it can only be described as unique.
Tickets to the Forbidden City are only 60 yuan, which is quite reasonable compared to other scenic spots across the country that often cost hundreds of yuan. During holidays, tickets are sometimes sold online, and you only need to scan your ID card to enter.
There are many entrances to the Forbidden City. In addition to Tiananmen Square, you can also enter from the side door of the Taimiao, which can avoid more tourists.
The Meridian Gate is the main gate of the Forbidden City. In ancient times, the sayings "execution at the Meridian Gate" and "receiving imperial decrees at the Meridian Gate" referred to this place.
Under the vermilion city tower, there is a main gate and two side gates symmetrically distributed. Usually, only the emperor can enter the main gate, while the east gate is for civil and military ministers to enter and exit, and the west gate is for royal family members to enter and exit. The ideology of the feudal class is vividly reflected in the architecture.
After crossing the Meridian Gate, you arrive at the Forbidden City's most expansive front court area. The palaces within this area are magnificent and stately. Following the central axis of the Meridian Gate, you'll pass the Gate of Supreme Harmony, the Hall of Supreme Harmony, the Hall of Central Harmony, and the Hall of Preserving Harmony. The majesty of imperial architecture is evident everywhere.
The front court area was mainly where the emperor held important ceremonies and where his ministers paid homage to the emperor.
The rear sleeping quarters served as the living quarters for the Forbidden City's imperial family. Naturally, this area is reminiscent of the palace dramas of the Ming and Qing dynasties. "My Fair Princess," "The Legend of Zhen Huan," and "Story of Yanxi Palace" all feature in the rear sleeping quarters.
The palaces in the logistics area, apart from the Qianqing Palace where the emperor lived and the Kunning Palace where the empress lived, are divided into the East Six Palaces and the West Six Palaces. These palaces are currently mainly used for special exhibitions, such as blue and white porcelain and bronze artifacts.
Among the six eastern palaces, the most impressive is the Yanxi Palace. This is not because of the influence of "Story of Yanxi Palace", but because it is a unique Western-style building, also known as the Crystal Palace.
The Palace of Prosperity had a tragic fate. Originally, it did not look like this. In the 25th year of Emperor Daoguang's reign, a fire destroyed the Palace of Prosperity. Later, Concubine Jin advocated the construction of this Western-style palace on the ruins, but before it was completed, it became an unfinished project due to the empty treasury.
Even more unfortunately, during the restoration of Zhang Xun, this place was bombed by airplanes and part of it was destroyed. Later, the Palace Museum began to repair it, and what can be seen now is actually just a building frame.
There are four corner towers scattered around the four edges of the Forbidden City. The northwest corner has become a popular photo spot, with scores of photographers waiting daily for the lights to turn on.
At present, most areas of the entire Forbidden City have been opened to the public, such as the living area for princes and the retirement area for imperial concubines, but these areas are still hidden from the public. We look forward to unveiling their mysteries one day.
Tips:
Tickets: Forbidden City ticket 60 yuan
Transportation: Tiananmen East or Tiananmen West subway station
Beijing is a city full of tolerance. It embraces the high-ranking royal aristocrats and the simple and unpretentious common people, embraces traditional buildings that have been carved for centuries and fashionable modern buildings, embraces local specialty snacks and different flavors from all over the world, and embraces the joy of travelers and the tears of those who have moved to Beijing.
No matter how time and space change, Beijing is still Beijing, the city where everyone can place their emotions.
