Experience The Hidden Charm Of China’s Imperial Capital

When you are in Beijing, don’t ever think that everything around you is political. Being in the capital city of China is not all about “the people”. Actually, there are many tourist destinations in Beijing that can spell fun for you and the whole family.

One of the best China attractions are in Dongcheng District, Beijing. This precinct extends over some of the most important sites in the capital. On top of the list is the Forbidden City, which served as the imperial palace for Chinese royalty and the seat of government from the Ming Dynasty up to the Qing Dynasty. Today, this 177-acre complex is home to the Palace Museum. But other than getting cozy with museum artifacts at the Palace, you can find other places of interest while visiting Beijing. Here are three of them:

Gu Guanxiang Tai, The Ancient Observatory

Visiting this ancient observatory literally transports you back to the 17th century when Jesuits built most of this huge astronomical facility. Here you will find huge bronze instruments of astronomy adorned with symbols like stars, clouds, and dragons. Apart from the large display of China’s knowledge about celestial bodies, the best thing about this tourist spot is that you can play with replicas of Chinese astronomical instruments, whose precursors can date back to ancient dynasties.

Beijing Wax Museum

A first in China, this wax museum was finished in 1990 and located right within Di Tan Park. The collection displays life-size figures of historical and well-known Chinese personalities. Here you can take a look at the wax likenesses of the very first emperor of China and modern revolutionary hero Dr. Sun Yat-Sen among other figures. If wax statues are not your thing, you can always relax and take a glimpse at traditional Chinese daily life in Di Tan park grounds.

Di Tan Park

This tourist spot in Dongcheng District used to be a shrine where ancient Chinese emperors paid their respects to the Earth God. Constructed in the 15th century, the shrine was converted into a park after the imperial dynasties ended and China embraced modernity. Much of the shrine has been preserved, but today it serves as a favorite venue for cultural performances. It has also become a popular spot for practicing Tai chi. All in all, Di Tan Park is the perfect place where you can relax and get a taste of the local habits and practices.

So whenever you visit China, try to stop by at Beijing’s Dongcheng District. It’s where you get to experience the best of past and present China in a nutshell. Accommodation will not be a problem as there are many world class yet affordable China hotels in the area, such as Asia Hotel, Xinhai Jin Jiang and Oriental Garden Hotel.