Beijing Tourism - Beijing Sights and Activities

Elastic vestiges and elaborate barriers

• The Forbidden City - Built between 1406 and 1420, it served as home for 26 emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties, until the last emperor stepped down from the throne in 1911. Afterwards, the Forbidden City was abandoned and left to ruins until 1924, when it re-opened as a museum. In its heyday, only those with special passes from the emperor entered this city, home to the ruler - his eunuch servants, slave girls and concubines. Schedule at least a full day to explore the Hall of Supreme Harmony, the Hall of Union and Peace, the Palace of Heavenly Purity and the Hall of Preserving Harmony. And wear a great pair of walking shoes. Admission: $7.00USD. Open 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. May - Sept, 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Oct - April.
• The Great Wall of China - Ironically, Emperor Qin built the wall to keep foreigners out. Most people choose to visit the wall at Badaling, essentially the Disneyland portion. For a more authentic, but arduous trek, head 68 miles (110 km) northeast of Beijing to Simatai. The climb here contains 70-degree inclines, and at times you may have to crawl on all fours, but the lookouts from the many watchtowers scattered along the way make it worth the effort. Fewer tourists come here, and at times, you'll feel as if you have it all to yourself, once you're able to shake the peddlers trying to sell you an "I climbed the Great Wall" T-shirt. Admission: $2.60USD. Open 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
• Acrobatics - The opening act features two girls on a pedestal who twist their bodies into unbelievable poses while balancing wine glasses on their feet, hands or even their heads. Another girl stands on her hands with her back arched backwards. Her bum rests on her head while she balances another girl from her feet. An amazing cultural experience that even Mao, during the Cultural Revolution, couldn't eliminate. Admission $10.00USD. Shows Poly Plaza (tel. 6500-1188-5127) 7:15 p.m., Chaoyang Theatre (tel. 6507-2421) 7:15 p.m. and 8:20 p.m.
• Beijing Opera - Unlike Italian operas, which feature mostly singing, the Beijing Opera features very little. Since all the roles, even those of females, are performed by men, expect some high-pitched screaming. Complete with sword fights, elaborate costumes, a non-linear storyline and enough visual imagery to leave you colorblind, the opera never fails to dazzle. LCD screens hang on either side of the stage and translate the Chinese singing into English with often-humorous results. Go early and watch the performers apply their makeup in the entrance hall - a show in itself. Admission $4.00USD - $24.00USD at various venues throughout the city.