| It barely needs saying, but Beijing is an absolutely | | | | Lama Temple |
| fascinating city. There is a proud ancient history | | | | Visiting various temples is a key part of most |
| demonstrated by monuments and museums, | | | | holidays in Asia, but if you only have the time to |
| juxtaposed against the impressive modern | | | | visit one of them, Lama Temple should be the |
| structures constructed in time for the Olympics | | | | one. Regarded as the most important Buddhist |
| this year. In this list of 10 must sees, you will see | | | | temple outside of Tibet, this collection of shrines is |
| the old mixed with the new - all part of the | | | | guaranteed to leave you impressed almost |
| contrast which makes China's capital such an | | | | beyond words. The craftsmanship is always |
| exciting, vibrant destination to visit. | | | | impressive, but perhaps no shrine more so than |
| Drum and Bell Towers | | | | the enormous Maitreya Buddha, which is officially |
| In olden times, most cities in China would use their | | | | registered as the world's tallest Buddha in the |
| drum and bell tower to sound the beginning and | | | | Guinness Book of Records! |
| end of each new day. Nowadays, Beijing's drum | | | | CCTV Tower |
| and bell tower is largely for tourists, but is well | | | | One of the more modern wonders of Beijing is |
| worth visiting on a holiday in China - if nothing else | | | | the China Central Television Tower - or CCTV |
| than for the wonderful panoramic views of the | | | | Tower for short. By far the tallest building in the |
| city offered from atop the tower! There are | | | | city, its observation deck sits at an impressive |
| hourly performances as well, giving you an insight | | | | 238 metres, with the tip of its antenna reaching |
| into how days were greeted in times gone by. | | | | 405 metres! As the name suggests, the tower |
| The Forbidden City | | | | contains broadcasting equipment for China Central |
| Refurbishments due to this year's Olympic Games | | | | Television, and the observation deck offers |
| have been particularly kind to the Forbidden City - | | | | incredible panoramic views of the city. |
| home to 24 emperors of China during the Ming | | | | Temple of Heaven |
| and Qing dynasties. Essentially a huge imperial | | | | Although the Temple of Heaven sounds on the |
| palace, this is one sight that is an absolute | | | | surface like one to miss for those suffering from |
| must-see, and although it would take two days to | | | | temple fatigue, it's actually an entirely different |
| see it all, the main attractions can be seen in a | | | | proposition from most holy sites. As well as |
| single visit. Be sure to take in the great halls and | | | | having particular historic worth (it was the main |
| the imperial gardens, and be left in awe at the | | | | centre of worship for the country's leaders, and |
| incredible architecture and huge sense of scale. A | | | | ancient emperors would come here to give |
| must see on any Asia holiday! | | | | thanks with offerings), it's a popular hang out for |
| The Summer Palace | | | | many local residents, who can often be found |
| If you have not had your fill of palaces with the | | | | singing, dancing and exercising in the surrounding |
| Forbidden City, the longish trek to the Summer | | | | gardens. |
| Palace is well worth it. Located in a tranquil | | | | National Centre for the Performing Arts |
| lakeside location, the complex has a huge number | | | | For a more unusual modern structure, China's |
| of walkways, gardens and temples to explore and | | | | holiday makers should look no further than the |
| you should be sure to have your camera handy | | | | National Centre for the Performing Arts. |
| for the brilliant view of distant Beijing from the | | | | Colloquially labelled "The Egg" by locals, it's a dome |
| Tower of Buddhist Incense. | | | | of glass and titanium surrounded by an artificial |
| 798 Dashanzi Arts District | | | | lake. Love or hate the architectural style, it's |
| Once upon a time, this was an electronics factory. | | | | certainly a talking point and well worth a visit. |
| Now the site is home to a buzzing collection of | | | | Beihai Park & Houhai District |
| cafes, galleries and studios with a very trendy | | | | While central Beijing can be a little on the |
| feel to it. A nice alternative to the ancient | | | | overwhelming side with its crowds and bustle, the |
| monuments and sites, Dashanzi Arts District is a | | | | same accusation cannot be levelled at Beihai Park |
| must visit part of the city for those with any | | | | and the nearby Houhai shopping district. The |
| interest in modern Chinese art. | | | | former is an oasis of calm that seems to |
| The Great Wall | | | | encourage relaxation, and the latter is a quiet area |
| If you think of the biggest tourist attraction for a | | | | dotted with quaint little shops and charming |
| holiday in Asia, the Great Wall of China has to be | | | | restaurants. If the pace of modern Beijing is |
| a major contender. Originally built to keep out the | | | | getting to you, make sure you stop by here on |
| Mongol forces, the wall is synonymous with the | | | | your holiday in China. |
| country and it's hard to imagine a luxury holiday in | | | | There's plenty more to see here, but this should |
| China passing this by. Despite being photographed | | | | definitely give you a start. Whether you're |
| an incredible amount, the Great Wall still always | | | | interested in history, art or culture, a luxury |
| manages to leave me in complete awe at the | | | | holiday in China's capital cannot be recommended |
| sheer scale of the amazing structure every time I | | | | enough. |
| visit. | | | | |