Beijing Holidays

The capital of the People’s Republic of China and a meeting point of cultural history, Chinese politics, international trade and modern China, it's no wonder holidays to Beijing are becoming a tourism must-do. Fascinating insights, humbling histories, exquisite artefacts and architecture and of course the Great Wall of China, the capital of China is a marvel at every turn.

Beijing, formerly known as Peking, is not only one of the Four Great Ancient Capitals of China, along with Xi'an, Luoyang and Nanjing, it is also one of the world’s most advanced international hubs, from the narrow alleys of ancient Hutong to the party district of Sanlitun Barstreet. Frequent flights and city transportation can be absolutely relied upon, though a classic rickshaw ride through the city is a wonderful way to experience Beijing.

Luxury holidays to Beijing

As an international centre, Beijing is awash with modern, luxury hotels of world-class standard. State of the art, exquisitely designed towers offer staggering views over this amazing city. Luxury Beijing holidays practically say the same thing twice. Meanwhile as much of the city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the surroundings to your super-modern accommodation is perfectly encapsulated, traditionally China.

10 great reasons to holiday in Beijing

• Visit Tiananmen Square – site of numerous iconic political and cultural events, perhaps most notably the massacres of 1989
• See the Forbidden City – a spectacular palace complex surrounded by a moat, where Ming and Qing dynasty emperors called home. Includes the Palace Museum.
• Visit the Hutongs, a series of 7,000 tiny alleys that tell China’s history. Includes open-air museum.
• See The Great Wall of China. Sections from different eras surround Beijing and will suit different kinds of tourist, whether simply curious or more adventurous.
• Visit the beautiful Summer Palace (Yiheyuan), a Chinese royal park and home to staggering beautiful gardens.
• The Temple of Heaven – a magnificent Ming dynasty building.
• See Beijing Zoo including the famous Panda Hall and Gorilla Hall, or one of the country’s proudest attractions – the Beijing Aquarium.
• Experience the famous Peking Opera, a traditional mix of theatre, music, dance and acrobatics.
• Visit the Beijing Olympic Park, including the National Stadium.
• Visit the Ming emperors’ tombs, about an hour’s drive north of the city.

Weather in Beijing

Best time to visit is probably the mild autumn, around September or October. Beijing enjoys extremes at both ends of the spectrum. Long hot summers where July and August temperatures regularly reach the 40 degrees Celsius mark, contrast bitter winters which get as low as –20 degrees in January. Spring is variable and frequent sandstorms occur.

Interesting facts about Beijing

• Population – 12,500,000
• Beijing is a ‘cradle of humanity’ as ancestral ‘Peking Man’ inhabited Beijing’s Zhoukoudian region some 700,000 years ago.
• The city was known as ‘Jin City’ when it was founded over 3,000 years ago.
• There are two schools of thought about the signature Beijing Roast Duck’s origins. One may have been the influence of Western travellers that brought their customs, including roasting poultry, to China during the Yuan Dynasty (1271 - 1368). Another is that the dish actually originated in former capital Jinling, around 500 AD, where duck was popular. It was then brought to Beijing when Yuan Dynasty emperors moved the country’s official capital.
• The National Stadium was built for the 2008 Olympic Games and made to resemble a bird’s nest – as a cradle for humans that would give them strength, support and hope for the future.

Beijing Holidays 2014

Our customers benefit from over 35 years’ experience in booking luxury holidays, and China and Beijing in particular have become increasingly popular destinations. Allow us to tailor for you a perfect holiday to Beijing and find the best deal possible. We can arrange luxury Beijing hotels, as organised tours around Beijing and the surrounding area. Call one of our experts today and see what sort of holiday we can find for you.