The Tiananmen is Beijing’s version of a ‘people’s park’. Here, rallies and parades are often held. Around the square you’ll find various sites to visit like Chairman Mao’s Mausoleum and The National Museum of China. 

TATLER TIP: The raising and lowering ceremony of the Chinese National Flag is a feat to watch; visit during sunrise or sunset to see the precision of young troops as they perform the service.

 Built as sacrificial altars to deities during the Ming and Qing dynasties, the Temple of Heaven is composed of complex buildings built with exact figures for its components – from steps and columns, to building height, width, and diameter. Outside the temples, locals engage in various activities like Kung Fu, Tai Chi, card games, and musical numbers.

TATLER TRIVIA: People paint their prayers on the marble floors outside the temple with water as ink. In this way, after writing, prayers are believed to have been sent to heaven.

A hutong is a narrow alley formed by lines of siheyuan – courtyard residences. To keep with the historical aspect of the alleyways, traditional pedicab rides are available just outside the hutong complex. Some courtyard residences accept visitors, and invite tourists for tea. Around the hutong you’ll find beautiful local shops that offer some of the finest tea and silk scarves – and for a bargain too! 

In this site lies 13 out of 17 emperors of the Ming Dynasty. However, only two are currently open to the public, Dingling and Chanling. The climb underground is steep and the tombs can feel a bit suffocating due to its chamber-like structure. But don’t fret, light fixtures are properly installed along with a proper path to follow.

Spanning more than 20,000KMs, the wall is the most recognisable piece of architecture in China. Luckily, you can visit it at particular points in Beijing, one of which is the Juyong entrance. Here, you can climb up the wall (as far as you can before giving up), take pictures, and traverse endless rows of souvenir items.

TATLER TIP: People often leave promise/ love locks on the wall’s fences to stake their mark.

It’s called Peking Duck for a reason! The capital has numerous restaurants that offer roast duck to locals and visitors alike.

TATLER TIP: One of the best reviewed servings of Peking duck maybe found in Dadong Roast Duck Restaurant, Duck de Chine, Hua’s Courtyard Restaurant, among many others.

If you hadn’t figured it out by now, Beijing’s expansive land offers vast sceneries anywhere you look. Yet another beautiful destination is the Summer Palace. Previously built as the emperor’s vacation palace, the expansive park is home to beautiful landscaping and greenery. The moody swings of willow trees will surely rise a contemplative disposition in you. Here is the perfect place to sit back, relax, and perhaps read a book or two.

In the early dynasties of China, jade was widely considered as the “imperial gem”. It was used heavily in royal jewellery and ritual items. Nowadays, jade can be found far and wide around the country’s capital. Make sure you’re buying quality stones when shopping around.

The city may not be as busy as Shanghai, but it does offer picturesque street scenes come nightfall. Make sure you explore the Beijing’s street food, and thrift shops to find unique goodies.

TATLER TIP: Watch out for the cutest dogs down the street. Let’s just say the cold weather drives most dog breeds to store just a little more fat.

All photos courtesy of Dorynna Untivero  | Like this story? Read more of our Globtrotter's 10 series here: Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, Malacca. For more travel tips and updates, watch this space.