Bucketlist Travels logo

Travel bucket list idea:

Beijing’s imperial history

  • Beijing, China

Last updated: 17 April, 2024

The divine middle of the ‘Middle Kingdom’, Beijing has ruled over China since the 13th century. In 1287, Kublai Khan established the Yuan Dynasty and built Khanbaliq, a predecessor to today’s city. Less than a century later, Khanbaliq was razed by the emergent Ming Dynasty, and Beijing as we know it took shape.

Ming emperor Yongle designed his capital as a compass-perfect exercise in feng shui, with the newly built Forbidden City at its heart. Twenty-four emperors ruled from its hallowed halls, together with their eunuchs and concubines, until revolution swept aside China’s last imperial rulers, the Qing Dynasty, in 1911.

Recommendations

13

‘Old’ Summer Palace

  • Beijing, China

‘Old’ Summer Palace

Experience

Destroyed by British and French armies during the Second Opium War, what was one of the world’s greatest classical Chinese gardens is now wistful ruins, lakes and parkland. A relaxing place for a wander, it sees far fewer crowds than the ‘new’ Summer Palace nearby.

Adult price: £2

Good for age: 18+

Ming Tombs

  • Beijing, China

Detail of Historic Architecture and statue of the Hall of Central Harmony at Changling Tomb of Ming Dynasty Tombs in Beijing, China - A UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Experience

An hour outside Beijing are the mausolea of 13 emperors of the Ming Dynasty. You can walk the ‘Spirit Way’ to the first tomb, a funerary avenue flanked by statues of animals, mythical beasts and officials, and descend into another of the tombs.

Adult price: £6

Good for age: 18+

  • Beijing, China

Lakes in Beihai Park

Bucket List Experience

Beihai Park

A former imperial garden in the heart of the capital, Beihai Park is visible for miles around thanks to the Tibetan-style White Dagoba that rises up imperiously over the lake (Beihai literally means northern sea).

Around the lotus-strewn waters, plied by pleasure boats in summer, are ornate temples, pavilions, and former imperial residences. Be sure to seek out the Nine Dragon Screen, a 27m-long ‘spirit wall’ carved with writhing dragons, the symbol of the emperor.

Good for age: 18+

Prince Gong’s Mansion

  • Beijing, China

Prince Gong’s Mansion

Experience

The grand residence of an imperial prince, this magnificent mansion close to Houhai Lake is most notable for its classical Chinese gardens. Pathways wind between carp ponds, artificial hills, ornate pavilions and even a miniature Great Wall folly.

Adult price: £5

Good for age: 18+

Tian Yi Tomb

  • Beijing, China

Tian Yi Tomb

Experience

On the western outskirts of the city, this imperial mausoleum is unusual in that it was bestowed upon a powerful eunuch from the late Ming dynasty. An attached museum has centuries-old castration knives and the corpse of one of the tomb’s occupants.

Adult price: £3

Good for age: 18+

Workers’ Cultural Palace

  • Beijing, China

Exterior of the Workers Cultural Palace

Experience

Qing emperors would come to this complex, resembling a miniature Forbidden City, to worship their royal ancestors. The rearmost Sacrificial Hall, now a gallery space, is one of the most magnificent imperial buildings in China.

Adult price: £2

Good for age: 18+

Fragrant Hills Park

  • Beijing, China

Fragrant Hills Park

Experience

For centuries, Beijing’s royals have decamped to the Fragrant Hills, an undulating landscape of pine forest dotted with temples, pagodas and lookouts. On a clear day you can see the skyscrapers of downtown Beijing from 557m-high Incense-Burner Peak.

Good for age: 18+

Bell Tower

  • Beijing, China

Bell Tower

Experience

Beijing’s official timekeeper since the age of the Mongols, this splendid, 47-meter tall stone tower, facing its compatriot the Drum Tower, houses a gigantic copper bell said to weigh over 60 tons.

Adult price: £3

Good for age: 18+

  • Beijing, China

Exterior of the palace complex

Bucket List Experience

Forbidden City

Built in the early 15th century, the Forbidden City is a vast palace complex of regal halls, ceremonial courtyards, gardens and living quarters, that served as the home of Chinese emperors and their households for 500 years. Behind its vermilion walls was a closed-off world of antique ritual and intrigue, where the ‘Son of Heaven’ was tended to by an army of servants, eunuchs and concubines.

Today the palace complex is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the world’s largest collection of heritage wooden buildings. Officially called the Palace Museum, many of the rooms have been given over to museum exhibits of imperial treasures, from priceless ceramics to Qing-dynasty furniture.

Its central location, historic importance and architectural beauty make this Beijing’s most popular site of interest for tourists.

Adult price: £6

Good for age: 13+

  • Beijing, China

North Gate and Wanchun Pavilion in Jingshan Park - Beijing, China

Bucket List Experience

Jingshan Park

Protecting the Forbidden City from icy winds and evil spirits, this 45m-high artificial hill is Beijing’s best park and a great vantage point, offering superb views over the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square beyond.

It was once part of Beijing’s imperial city, and is most famous as the site where the last Ming emperor hanged himself as peasant rebels stormed the capital in 1644.

The climb up to the ornate Wanchun Pavilion, the park’s most famous viewpoint, is relatively gentle, and on route you’re sure to pass groups of locals singing, dancing and playing music.

Adult price: £3

Good for age: 18+

  • Beijing, China

Beautiful red and blue coloured Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests in Beijing

Bucket List Experience

Temple of Heaven

The Temple of Heaven is unlike any other temple in China. In fact, it’s not really a temple at all but a richly symbolic event space of sorts, where the emperor, accompanied by a grand entourage, would perform arcane rites twice a year to pray for heaven’s blessing.

Ceremonies took place upon the open-air Round Altar, next to the Imperial Vault of Heaven where the spirit tablets of the gods were kept. A 360m-long paved walkway connects to the splendid centrepiece, the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests.

Surrounded by sculpted parkland, the layout of the complex was designed to reflect Chinese cosmology and symbolise the relationship between heaven and earth.

Adult price: £2

Good for age: 13+

  • Beijing, China

The Imperial Summer palace in Beijing exterior. showing a rising tower

Bucket List Experience

Summer Palace

The former retreat of China’s imperial rulers, the Summer Palace is a masterpiece of classical Chinese garden design on a truly awesome scale. Artificial hills, lakes, opulent buildings and graceful arched bridges convene in carefully orchestrated harmony.

Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the gardens, 12km northwest of the Forbidden City, were first built in the 12th century but were developed to their artistic height during the Qing Dynasty (1644 – 1912).

Most famously, the Summer Palace became the royal retirement home of Cixi, the Empress Dowager, a formidable character who ruled China from behind the curtain for almost five decades. The palace and its gardens were remodelled to serve as her private retirement complex.

There’s plenty to see and do, from strolling the famous ‘Long Corridor’ to pleasure boating on Kunming Lake. Several of the palace buildings hold historical artefacts and exhibits, including possessions belonging to the Empress Dowager.

Adult price: £3

Good for age: 13+

Bai Family Mansion

  • Beijing, China

No Image Available for this listing

Experience

Feast on the splendid banquet dishes of imperial cuisine, the fare served to emperors, at this high-end themed restaurant where Peking opera singers regale diners and staff dress as Qing dynasty nobles.

Adult price: £50

Good for age: 18+

Logistics

Price: Free
Minimum age: 0
Age suitable: 18+
When: All year around

Who to go with: organised tours

6

Our selection of the best Viator tours of this attraction or activity

  • Beijing

Visit two of Beijing’s most important historic sites on a full-day tour that features the Lama Temple (Yonghegong) and UNESCO heritage-listed Summer Palace. You also see giant pandas, stop at a jade store and tea house, and relax over a Chinese-style lunch. Your experienced guide provides informative commentary on the history and culture of each site, as well as background on China's famous panda bears and an introduction to modern Beijing. Enjoy time for photos and questions at each stop on this fascinating Beijing sightseeing tour.

Price $93

Min age 0

Rating 4.07 / 5 [148 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

Viator Logo
Website >
  • Beijing

This is private full-day tour covers four major UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Beijing including Tian'anmen Square, Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven and Summer Palace. All entrance fees, tasty local lunch, private guide and transfer service are all inclusive.

Price $188

Min age 0

Rating 4.90 / 5 [72 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

Viator Logo
Website >
  • Beijing

This is a classic Beijing city tour route, covering the highlight wonders in Beijing, such as the Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, and Summer Palace. A private tour offers you more privacy and flexibility. Lunch will also be included. The tour makes you a worry-free Beijing city exploration.

Price $215

Min age 3

Rating 4.20 / 5 [24 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

Viator Logo
Website >
  • Beijing

Gain insight into imperial China on a private full-day tour of several UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Beijing. Start with a look at the monuments of Tiananmen Square, then tour the immense Forbidden City complex with your knowledgeable guide. After lunch, enjoy the tranquility of the Temple of Heaven, then head to the Summer Palace to walk around magnificent gardens decorated with pavilions and a lake. Travel in comfort with your guide in your own private vehicle, with hotel pickup and drop-off included. · Private full-day tour of Beijing · Visit the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven and Summer Palace · Explore the vast Forbidden City complex accompanied by an informative guide · Admire the Temple of Heaven’s decor and watch locals enjoying the park outside · Take in the beautiful pavilions, marble boat and gardens at the Summer Palace

Price $209

Min age 0

Rating 5 / 5 [14 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

Viator Logo
Website >
  • Beijing

Take your love one to enjoy this unforgettable Chinese Imperial Dining experience at famous Bai Jia Da Yuan restaurant in Beijing where you will be surrounded by the beautiful royal garden and immerse in an ancient times atmosphere. A great show will be preformed during the dinner time. You will also have a walk tour in romantic Houhai lake area during the night.

Price $268

Min age 0

Rating 4.66 / 5 [12 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

Viator Logo
Website >