Old Beijingers refer to Zhengyangmen as “Qianmen Tower.” During the Ming and Qing dynasties, it served as the “national gate” reserved exclusively for the emperor—you can think of it as Beijing’s Arc de Triomphe, though it predates the one in Paris by more than 400 years and held a higher…
Where does Beijing’s Central Axis begin? It’s not Tiananmen Square, nor is it the Forbidden City—it’s this city gate tower that you may have only glimpsed from a car window: Yongding Gate (Yongdingmen). Since its construction in 1553, it has weathered more than 470 years of history—though for 47 of…
Where does Beijing begin? Not at the Forbidden City, nor at Tiananmen Square, but at an ancient bridge you’ve likely passed by without ever noticing—Wanning Bridge. It’s over 700 years old, yet countless cars, bicycles, and pedestrians still cross it every day. It’s the only ancient bridge from the Yuan…
Last Updated: Jul. 2026 Planning a visit to the Beijing Red Brick Art Museum? This article offers the latest 2026 guide, including step-by-step ticket purchasing instructions in both Chinese and English, the best times to avoid crowds, an in-depth analysis of the garden’s highlights, and outfit suggestions for photo shoots….
Last Updated: Sep. 2026 If you’re fascinated by the classic Chinese novel Dream of the Red Chamber or wish to admire an exquisite Chinese garden, Beijing’sGrand View Garden is an excellent choice. This park was specially constructed for filming the 1987 television adaptation of Dream of the Red Chamber, bringing…
Information verified as of: Sep. 2026 Want to visit the Beijing Opera Museum to see Peking Opera? Check out this 2026 field-tested guide first, which includes directions for taking Metro Line 7, the WeChat reservation process, and practical tips to avoid pitfalls. It’s a good spot to check out if…
For foreign visitors who love history and culture, Beijing has a very special place: Guozijian Street. Here, you’ll find not only the highest imperial academy from over 700 years ago but also a temple dedicated to Confucius. Note: This article was updated in September 2026 to reflect the latest information…
Last Updated: Sep 2026 If you’re interested in ancient Chinese art, Buddhist paintings, and historic architecture, you might want to check out Fahai Temple. This guide to Fahai Temple will help you understand the temple’s “Five Masterpieces” and its historical anecdotes, making it easy for international visitors to plan their…
Jiuyanlou is the largest watchtower on the Great Wall and boasts the most arrow slits—nine on each of its four sides, totaling 36. It is hailed as the “First Watchtower of the Great Wall.” This article provides a detailed overview of its location at the junction of the Inner and…
