A 6-point checklist to exploring historical Beijing

Beijing has a massive six UNESCO World Heritage sites, and a history that dates back thousands of years. Brightsun Travel has discount airfares to Beijing that will take you to the heart of the diverse country of China, as well as tours across the region so you can experience for yourself the long and rich history of China. Here’s our pick of Beijing’s historical highlights.

1 Hutong Neighbourhoods

Beijing street life comes alive in its remaining ancient Hutong neighbourhoods. Head straight for the Dashilar neighbourhood, the oldest Hutong neighbourhood in Beijing, and take a step back in time, through narrow alleyways lined with traditional single story houses. A good way to navigate through these neighbourhoods is by bike, available to rent all around the city.

2 Temples

Lama or Yonghe Temple, a former royal residence and Buddhist temple dating back to the 17th century, is one of the most eye-catching in the city, and an active place of worship. Or head to the enormous Temple of Heaven, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and marvel at the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, a huge central monument dating back to the 1400s, and experience the famous Echo Walls.

3 Palaces

Forbidden City

The UNESCO World Heritage site of the Forbidden City, a former Imperial palace in the centre of Beijing, is a well-preserved collection of ancient buildings, and the largest palace complex in the world, enclosed by a set of huge walls. Here you will find ancient halls, galleries, gardens, museums, theatres and courtyards to explore. The site also has regular cultural and artistic exhibitions.

Summer Palace

Beijing’s Summer Palace is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and a peaceful oasis in the capital, with beautiful lakes and gardens, and spectacular hilltop views over the city. The palace is full of ornate woodwork in its long corridors, plus Buddhist temples and pavilions. You can also take a paddleboat tour of its huge lake, passing marble bridges and pretty riverside walkways.

4 Tiananmen Square

No tour of Beijing would be complete without visiting the world famous Tiananmen Square, a cultural and political centre in China, and the world’s largest public square. Go early and you could watch the flag raising ceremony at sunrise (and avoid the queues), or go late and see the square lit up under the night sky.

5 Great Wall of China

A great way to start or end your tour of historic Beijing is to take a cable car ride over the iconic Great Wall, which winds majestically through the hills to the north of the city. From the Great Wall you can enjoy spectacular panoramic views of surrounding mountain ranges, pass through historic towns, and be spoilt for choice with incredible hiking routes.

6 Xi’an

From Beijing you can travel by bullet train to the ancient Sichuan city of Xi’an, one of China’s most popular tourist attractions, and one of the oldest cities in the country. Here you can marvel at the stunning Terracotta Warriors, 8000 terracotta soldiers that were buried with the first Emperor of China, and visit the Neolithic settlement of Banpo Village, dating back 6500 years.

Flight Deals

Brightsun Travel has incredible Beijing cheap flights offers all year round, as well as fascinating China tours and exclusive hotel and holiday packages across the country, so you can start your historic tour of China’s amazing urban centres this holiday.

Brightsun Travel has a wide range of cheap airfares to Far East so that you can take a city break with a difference this holiday.