Advanced Search


Beijing, China

Photo: Forbidden City

Why visit Beijing? You could go instead to Hong Kong with its great shopping, bright lights, glitz and charged atmosphere. But, to be honest, you can experience that in most major cities throughout the world. What you can't find is the heartbeat of one of the oldest civilizations on earth. A city that was not open to outsiders until recent years. A city with magnificent art, fascinating history and treasures found no where else. Where records show it was inhabited for more than three thousands years and emperors ruled for more than 800 of those years.

Beijing is a huge city, with a population close to 14 million people. And it is a city of great contrasts, from the 9,999 room Imperial Palace complex, known as the Forbidden City, to the modern facilities being built for Beijing's hosting of the 2008 Olympic Games. There are beautiful parks, such as Beihai Park, which was probably built by the Great Khan, centuries before the Forbidden City. There are awe inspiring temples including the Temple of Heaven and one of the eight wonders of the world, The Great Wall of China.

Photo: Forbidden City

Besides all the wonderful historical art and attractions to see, there is so much more to experience. For exciting, fascinating nightlife, the action in Beijing takes place in the Sanitan Entertainment Area with hundreds of bars, discos, international cafes, live music and great people watching. The area is extremely popular with not only visitors, but always crowded with Beijing's affluent, trendy residents. Be sure to check out Rock & Roll, considered the most popular disco in the entire city.

From the trendy to the sublime a visit to the Lao She Teahouse is a must - Chinese take their tea very seriously and most people drink it all day long. Of course, they have wonderful varieties of tea and have perfected a way of making and serving it that is a far cry from a tea bag in a cup of hot water. Lao She Teahouse is considered by many to be the best in the city. You can watch traditional Chinese performances, enjoy traditional Beijing-style snacks and best of all, drink some of China's greatest tea. Fabulous experience!

Photo: Stir Fry Prawns

Like to shop till you drop? Then Wangfujing Street and its surroundings are for you. Considered one of the premiere shopping areas in Beijing, there are large department stores, cafes and restaurants, small shops, Chinese food stalls and even a cinema. Right in the same area is the Oriental Plaza, one of the biggest malls in all of Asia.

Beijing is a fascinating city, with modern next to ancient, with people who are warm and welcoming, and wonderful food and sights to see that will simply dazzle your senses. It is more than simply a city; it is a destination unlike any other and one you will never forget. Beijing - the heartbeat of China.

Top Things to See & Do

If you don't see what you like, please call us toll free at Toll Free: 1.800.303.6702 or e-mail: pali@panda-group.com.