Lama Temple
Beijing, China[5.4 miles]
Beijing’s most spectacular religious site, this palatial temple complex is a reminder of China’s long and complex association with Tibet and Tibetan Buddhism.
Best for ages: 13+ | Free
Best places to stay:
Taking up 22 floors of a downtown skyscraper, Jen targets China’s hip young lifestyle set with all-white, tech-forward rooms, an incredible gym over two floors, and even a microbrewery.
North-facing rooms frame floor-to-ceiling views of Beijing’s most iconic modern building, the twin-legged CCTV Tower.
A co-working cafe and free business facilities makes it a great choice for travellers who like to mix work with sightseeing.
Conveniently, Jen connects below ground to the subway, with Tiananmen Square and the central sights just five stops away.
On a relatively quiet street in Beijing’s high-rise business district, Jen is low on local colour but big on convenience, with mall shopping, bars and restaurants all connected to the hotel itself.
Under the gaze of skyscrapers, including Beijing’s tallest at 528m, the surrounding streets are orderly and well-kept, if a touch corporate.
A standout venue worth making a beeline for is Migas Mercado, a Spanish-run restaurant and bar with live DJs and an outdoor terrace offering stunning skyline views.
The luxurious China World Mall sprawls around the hotel, and includes some first-rate drinking and dining destinations.
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Bucket list experiences our writer says you must do in this destination, closest first
Beijing, China[5.4 miles]
Beijing’s most spectacular religious site, this palatial temple complex is a reminder of China’s long and complex association with Tibet and Tibetan Buddhism.
Best for ages: 13+ | Free
Beijing, China[5.4 miles]
Once a site for esoteric imperial rites, this marvellous complex of temples, altars and pavilions is set in a sprawling grove of knotted cypress trees. One of Beijing’s must-see sights.
Best for ages: 13+ | £2
Beijing, China[5.5 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
Beijing, China[5.5 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
Other worthwhile experiences in this destination if you have the time or the interest, closest first
Beijing, China[2.3 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
Beijing, China[2.5 miles]
The only remaining trace of Beijing’s city wall is a pleasant spot for a stroll through history. Be sure to explore the imposing southeast corner watchtower attached, the site of a famous battle in 1900.
Best for ages: 13+ | £5
Beijing, China[3.3 miles]
This hidden gem museum of ancient Chinese bronzes and Buddhist statuary is on the ninth floor of a high-rise office block. The objects were all bought and repatriated from overseas, including four bronze animal heads from the Old Summer Palace.
Best for ages: 18+ | £3
Beijing, China[4.2 miles]
A Beijing institution, Panjiayuan is a sprawling, partially covered market where over 4,000 dealers hawk replica antiques, ceramics, jade, calligraphy brushes, handicrafts and Communist ephemera. Keep in mind that the vast majority of antiques are fake, and prepare to haggle. Weekend mornings only.
Best for ages: 6+ | Free
Destination guides including or relevant to this place to stay
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.