Wander around the edges of the city to find tourist-free rooms of scrolls, furniture, etc! But don't wander too far - I was escorted out for going beyond (untranslated) 'No Entry' signs.
If you're lucky, you'll see the People's Liberation Army practicing outside the square in full uniform.
Grab some foods at the entry and head out for a hike! Plenty of space to get lost and picnic! Also, some amazing old trails and bridges to explore.
This is the kind of history you visit a foreign country for! Literal ruins you can climb and explore. Beware the children - they'll knock you off your feet if you're not careful.
Buildings open/close throughout the day. Spend a few minutes looking on a map/website to figure out where to be to see everything!
Supposedly one of the most lavish mansions of Old Beijing. Check out the rock "garden." So interesting!
One of the largest Tibetan Buddhist Monasteries in the world. In the heart of busy Bejing, slow down and reflect on how awesome it is to wander such a historical and spiritual place!
Don't forget to touch the 700 year old Cypress tree, which can distinguish a good person from a bad person!
If you decide to explore religious diversity in Beijing, this is a must! Largest mosque in Beijing & most prominent in China! Check out the Emperor's tablets from the 1600's! Super cool!
The best Beijing hostel for 3 reasons: 1. surrounded by lots of traditional Hutong homes, 2. Amazing trips to The Great Wall, 3. Their bar is fantastic for a leisurely beer at night!
Check this place out early in the morning and later at night. During the day, get lost in the surrounding neighborhood. It's safe and very much a pre-modern China.
Whether it's real or fake, anything you want to buy can be found here. They keep the knock-off purses hidden, and will probably offer you a "catalog" to peruse before bringing them out.
If this isn't your first stop, you won't be overwhelmed. But dig deep. There are some great stores, park vendors, and 'Kodak' moments to be found at Beihai.
Great park to stroll at night.. especially in the summer when there's oodles of candle boats around.
Hiking shoes. Water. Snacks. TOILET PAPER. If you're walking the great wall, you'll need all of those. #trustme
Zhōnglóu (钟楼), the bell tower of Beijing, stands closely behind the drum tower. Together they provide an overview of central Beijing and in the ancient times they both dominated Beijing's skyline.
The icon of much communist propaganda, this is a must see and photog !
