Top 7 Historic & Cultural Sites in Beijing
1. Beijing - Forbidden City & Dongcheng Central (PDF Chapter) Lonely Planet
Packed with essential sights, and at the very heart of Běijīng, this is the area you'll likely be spending many of your days in. Imperial palaces, temples, socialist-realist architecture, parks and museums jostle for space here.
2. Beijing - Sanlitun & Chaoyang (PDF Chapter) eBook version/Lonely Planet
Big, brash and a key nightlife zone, many of the most popular bars, clubs and restaurants are clustered in this area. While lacking the history of other districts, most of the city's top-end hotels and shops are also located here.
3. Beijing - The Great Wall (PDF Chapter) Lonely Planet
This is the Great Wall chapter from Lonely Planet's Běijīng guidebook.
4. Beijing - Drum Tower & Dongcheng North (PDF Chapter) Lonely Planet
The hútòng (alleyways) in this part of town offer a fantastic insight into local life. Many are also home to an ever-increasing number of hip bars and restaurants, with some lovely courtyard hotels to stay in and key sights scattered around too.
5. Beijing - Beihai Park & Xicheng North (Chapter) Lonely Planet
Běihǎi Park acts as one big playground for Beijingers. During the day, it's a great spot to kick back, while at night locals carouse at the surrounding bars and restaurants.
6. Beijing - Drum Tower & Dongcheng North (PDF Chapter) Lonely Planet
The hútòng (alleyways) in this part of town offer a fantastic insight into local life. Many are also home to an ever-increasing number of hip bars and restaurants, with some lovely courtyard hotels to stay in and key sights scattered around too.
7. Beijing - Temple of Heaven Park & Dongcheng South (Chapter)
Coverage includes: Neighbourhood Top Five, Local Life, Getting There & Away, Sights, Eating, Entertainment, Shopping and Sports & Activities.