Forbidden City
Beijing, China[1.4 miles]
A magnificent and unique 15th-century complex of imperial palaces that served as the home of Chinese emperors for 500 years. Beijing’s must-see attraction.
Best for ages: 13+ | £6
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Overview >Best places to stay:
Mandarin Oriental Wangfujing
Last updated: 02 October, 2022
If the sky’s the limit this is Beijing’s best luxury hotel, offering priceless views of the Forbidden City and palatial guest rooms equipped with every luxury imaginable, from grand four-poster beds to Dyson-branded hairdryers.
Built from the ground up in 2018, it’s a small hotel by Beijing standards (around 70 rooms) which means service always feels warm and personal. The Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square are both comfortably walkable from the hotel’s front door, making it a great location for first-timers to the city.
A see-and-be-seen cocktail bar and steakhouse share a glam terrace with killer Forbidden City views.
Surrounding area
The Mandarin Oriental is on the quieter side of Wangfujing Dajie, a pedestrianised shopping avenue that attracts legions of Chinese tourists year-round.
The property shares the same building as WF Central, a glam mall home to big name boutiques and lots of restaurants – everything from upscale Peking duck to U.S. import The Cheesecake Factory.
The area is well-served by subway stations, and it’s relatively easy to pick up a taxi from the front entrance.
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Key facilities
Airport transfers*
Beach: None
Creche
Fitness centre
Fitness classes
Golf course
Hot tub
Parking
: On-site *
Pool (adults only)
Pool (indoor)
Pool (outdoor)
Pool (kids)
Spa
Tennis courts
WiFi*
Yoga
Food & drink
All inclusive
Kids menu
Restaurant on-site
Self catering
*
Additional chargeRoom types
Apartments
Bedrooms
Cabins
Suites
Tents
Villas
Yurts
Room facilities
Air conditioning
Flat screen TV
Jacuzzi (private)
Pool (private)
Tea & coffee making facilities
WiFi
Bedding options
2+ bedrooms
3+ beds
Connecting rooms
Rollaway/sofa bed
Bucket list experiences our writer says you must do in this destination, closest first
Tiananmen Square
Beijing, China[1.4 miles]
Overlooked by a giant portrait of Mao Zedong, this vast and politically-sensitive public space sits at the very heart of modern China, both literally and symbolically.
Best for ages: 13+ | Free
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Jingshan Park
Beijing, China[1.9 miles]
Beijing’s best park is also one of its only central hills, offering inspiring views of the Forbidden City. It’s also where elderly locals come to sing, dance and let off steam.
Best for ages: 13+ | £3
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Beihai Park
Beijing, China[2.5 miles]
Once the preserve of emperors, the sculpted surrounds of Beihai Park are dotted with fascinating temples, halls and pavilions, and crowned by the magnificent White Dagoba, towering over the central boating lake.
Best for ages: 13+ | Free
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Overview >Other worthwhile experiences in this destination if you have the time or the interest, closest first
Experience
National Museum of China
Beijing, China[1.1 miles]
The National Museum of China contains a humongous cache of bronzes, ceramics, Buddhist art and jade dating back through the dynasties. The bombastic ‘Road to Rejuvenation’ exhibition traces China’s rise from the 1840-42 Opium War with Britain to the country’s 21st century space programme.
Best for ages: 13+ | £5
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Experience
Chairman Mao Memorial Hall
Beijing, China[1.6 miles]
Visitors line up in droves to shuffle past Mao’s embalmed corpse, on display in a mausoleum in the middle of Tiananmen Square. Guards keep the crowds moving through to the gift shop full of Mao-themed souvenirs.
Best for ages: 18+ | Free
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Overview >
Experience
Great Hall of the People
Beijing, China[1.7 miles]
Looking out over Tiananmen Square, this is China’s most iconic political building and the meeting place for the National People’s Congress. Inside, you can tour its vast Stalinist auditorium, complete with plexiglass red star in the ceiling. When it’s not in use, you can go in to see the vast Stalinist auditorium, complete with plexiglass red star in the ceiling.
Best for ages: 18+ | Free
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Overview >
Experience
Beijing Ancient Observatory
Beijing, China[2.1 miles]
A fantastic array of arcane astronomical contraptions, cast in bronze and carved with writhing dragons, can be seen at this museum on the site of a Chinese observatory formerly built into Beijing’s mighty city walls.
Best for ages: 13+ | £2
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Destination guides including or relevant to this place to stay
Beijing
China
A burgeoning megacity with one foot in the past, Beijing is a marvellous melange of UNESCO-listed heritage buildings set within an ever-more tech-forward cityscape. Come for the culture, the people, and of course the food.
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