by Matthew Furst

The history of Beijing dates back more than 3,000 years. Throughout this time, the city has accumulated a mass of marvels noted for their engineering and beauty. The Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven and stretches of The Great Wall all reside within the jurisdiction of the Chinese capital. And if your travels lead you to Beijing, the things you see and experience will not be underwhelming.

To many in the East, Beijing is the center of the universe, and the 2008 Olympics showed the world much of what this city has to offer. Sparked by the attention of the world event, Beijing launched new construction throughout the city, which resulted in modern feats such as the China Central Television Tower headquarters, the National Center for the Performing Arts, and the world’s largest airport terminal. As a result, when you land in Beijing today, you will find the mix of ancient and modern against the skyline and plenty to fuel your imagination and sense of wonderment.

Below, you’ll find a list of things to do and where to stay when you land in The Celestial City:

What to Do
Aside from the major sights and sounds, here are some other places you’ll won’t want to miss:

• Emperor Hotel Bar - For the happy hour of a lifetime, grab a cocktail at the Emperor Hotel Bar. While you enjoy your drink, gaze out across the tiled rooftops of former Chinese emperors. The history alone is enough to knock you out, so beware of the Chinese rice liquor baijiu. It’s nearly as potent as the scenery.
• Explore the Hutongs - Rent a bike and get lost in the old Chinese alley-style neighborhoods known as hutongs. Many have vanished due to modernization, but ones that are left will astonish you with their small courtyard homes and shops.
• Nanluoguxiang - If you want to shop, this is the place. The array of shopping is amazing. From t-shirts to silk shirts, garden gnomes to Mao Zedong paraphernalia, you’ll find it all here.
• Dali Courtyard Restaurant - After some hardcore shopping, the place for a meal is here. The food is amazing, but there is no menu. Diners will eat what was freshest when the chef went to the market that day. But have no fear, the food will be light, tasty and an unforgettable experience.
• Shichahai Lakes - For an after-dinner stroll, or row in a boat, head over to Shichahai Lakes. These are the adjoining lakes outside of the Forbidden City and they were an integral piece to an emperor’s relaxation. Bars can be found along the outskirts of the lakes, so if a nightcap is in order, you’ll definitely find a place to have one.

Where to Stay

• Hotel Cote Cour S.L. - Off the beaten path, in an old hutong neighborhood, visitors will be charmed by this hotel’s location, not to mention the decorations. Covered with antiques and designed in wood and greens, this hotel is refined and elegant and is the perfect place to unwind after spending the day exploring the city.
• Gu Xiang 20 - For a hip, inexpensive hotel smack dab in the middle of Beijing’s most gentrified neighborhoods, book a room at Gu Xiang 20. Nice views and creature comforts galore.
• Kerry Centre Hotel - If you’re traveling with children, the Kerry Centre Hotel has great accommodations for you. Multiple play areas and gyms will keep the kids busy and help to make your Beijing experience a pleasant one.