Beijing’s many neighborhoods feature an impressive variety of imperial and modern architecture and vast opportunities to explore Chinese culture. Pangu 7 Star Hotel Beijing is the perfect place to discover all that Beijing has to offer.

The Great Wall of China

The Great Wall stretches across deserts, grasslands, mountains and plateaus covering about 6,700 kilometers (4,163 miles) of China from the East to the West. Over 2000 years old, some of the wall’s sections are in ruins or gone altogether, but this doesn’t change the fact that this is truly one of the greatest wonders of the world. Visiting the wall can be a study in ancient building techniques, geography, or mythology and sociology depending on where your interests lie.

• Distance from Pangu 7 Star Hotel: 60km (one way)
• Duration of car ride: 1.5 hours
• Duration of visit: 2-3 hours
• Spring and Summer Opening Hours: 6:30 – 19:00
• Autumn and Winter Opening Hours: 7:00 – 18:00

The Forbidden City

This masterpiece of classical Chinese architecture was built in the exact center of ancient Beijing’s boundaries and was China’s Imperial Palace between the mid-Ming through the Qing dynasties. Declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1987, the Forbidden City is no longer occupied by royalty, but remains as a symbol of Chinese sovereignty and is one of the world’s most popular tourist attractions.

• Opening Hours: Open daily all year.
• April 1st to October 31: 8:30 — 17:00
  Last Entry at 16:10
  Tickets sold until 16:00
• November 1 to March 31: 8:30 — 16:30
  Last Entry at 15:40
  Tickets sold until 15:30

Tiananmen Square

The Chinese name Tiān'ānmé, 天安門, is made up of the Chinese characters for "heaven", "peace" and "gate". The gate's position at the front of the Imperial City (and historical events that have taken place on Tiananmen Square) give it great political significance. The imperial roof decorations, lions and columns are impressive reminders of the majesty of the old Imperial government.

Temple of Heaven

Built around 1420, the Temple of Heaven is part of a complex of buildings - The Circular Mound Altar (Yuanqiutan) the Imperial Vault of Heaven (Huangqiongyu) and Hall of Prayer for Good Harvest (Qiniandian) - that symbolizes Heaven and Earth and are mostly connected by the Vermilion Steps Bridge (Danbiqiao). Traditionally the Temple was used by the Emperor to pray for a bountiful harvest. Today it stands as a glorious example of Imperial architecture with meaningful landscaping and design.

• Distance from Pangu 7 Star Hotel: 15km (one way)
• Duration of car ride: 25-30 minutes
• Duration of visit: 1-2 hours
• Opening Hours: 6:00 – 19:50

Ming Tombs

50 kilometers northwest from Beijing City lies the Ming Tombs - the general name given to the mausoleums of 13 emperors of the Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644). The mausoleums have been perfectly preserved, as has the necropolis of each of the many emperors. Because of its long history, palatial and integrated architecture, the site has a high cultural and historic value. The layout and arrangement of all thirteen mausoleums are very similar but vary in size as well as in the complexity of their structures.

It was originally built only as Changling, the tomb of Emperor Zhu Di and his empresses. This is the most magnificent of the tombs. The succeeding twelve emperors had their tombs built around Changling.

Only the Changling and Dingling tombs are open to the public. Changling, the chief of the Ming Tombs, is the largest in scale and is completely preserved. The total internal area of the main building is 1956 square meters. There are 32 huge posts, and the largest measures about 14 meters in height.It inhumes Emperor Zhudi, the fourth son of Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang. Travel China Guide recommends the Ling'en Palace in its second yard as really deserving a visit. This is unique as it is the only huge palace made of camphor wood. It covers about 1956 square meters. The ceiling is colorfully painted and supported by sixteen solid camphor posts. The floor was decorated with gold bricks.

Unlike Changling, Dingling is under ground and about 27 meters deep. It is the mausoleum of Emperor Zhu Yijun, the thirteenth emperor who occupied the throne the longest during the Ming Dynasty, and his two empresses. The main features are the Stone Bridge, Soul Tower, Baocheng and the Underground Place, which was unearthed between 1956 and 1958. The entire palace is made of stone. The Soul Tower is symbolic of the whole of Dingling and it forms the entrance to the underground chambers. The yellow glazed tiles; eaves, archway, rafters and columns are all sculptured from stone, and colorfully painted. The entire construction is stable and beautiful!

• Distance from Pangu 7 Star Hotel: 35km (one way)
• Duration of car ride: 45 - 60 minutes
• Duration of visit: 2 hours
• Opening Hours:
  Changling Tomb 8:30 – 17:30
  Dingling Tomb 8:30 – 18:00

Ancient Observatory

This squat tower of primitive stargazing equipment peeks out next to the elevated highways of the Second Ring Road. It dates to the time of Genghis Khan, who believed that his fortunes could be read in the stars. The instruments in this ancient observatory were among the emperor's most valuable possessions. Many of the bronze devices on display were gifts from Jesuit missionaries who arrived in Beijing and shortly thereafter ensconced themselves as the Ming court's resident stargazers. The main astronomical devices are arranged on the roof; inside, the dusty exhibition rooms shelter ancient star maps with information dating back to the Tang Dynasty.

• Opening hours: 9:00 — 11:00; 13:00 — 17:00
• Last Entry at 16:00
• Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays

Prince Gong's Palace

This grand compound sits in a neighborhood once reserved for imperial relatives. Built during the Ming Dynasty, it fell to Prince Gong, brother of Qing emperor Xianfeng and later an adviser to Empress Dowager Cixi. With nine courtyards joined by covered walkways, it was once one of Beijing's most lavish residences. The largest hall offers summertime Beijing opera and afternoon tea to guests on guided hutong tours. Some literary scholars believe this was the setting of the “Dream of the Red Chamber”, China's best-known classic novel.

• Opening hours: 8:30 – 17:00

Lama Temple (Yonghe Temple)

Beijing's most visited religious site and one of the most important functioning Buddhist temples in Beijing, this Buddhist masterpiece has five main halls and numerous galleries hung with finely detailed thangkhas (painted cloth scrolls). The entire temple is decorated with Buddha images -- all guarded by somber lamas (monks) dressed in brown robes. Originally a palace for Prince Yongzheng, it was transformed into a temple once he became the Qing's third emperor in 1723. The temple flourished under Emperor Qianlong, housing some 500 resident monks.

While the souvenir shops add some kitsch, the monks temper this with their own brand of serenity. And although indoor photography is prohibited, the exterior of the temple is quite photogenic: the walls are richly painted, and the monks peep through misty incense smoke.

• Opening hours: 9:00 – 16:00

Beijing Aquarium

At Beijing Aquarium you can observe sharks up close, a man-made rain forest and dolphin shows to entertain everyone in your group. The Beijing Aquarium offers a great afternoon of entertainment, of sightseeing and learning all about the aquatic life.

• Opening hours: 9:00 – 17:30

White Pagoda Temple

The White Pagoda Temple dates from the late 11th Century and was restored between 1270 and 1271 by Kublai Khan. Later it burned to the ground, only to be rebuilt in 1457. During a restoration in 1978, religious artifacts and scrolls were discovered in the tip of the pagoda and are now on display. Besides these cultural treasures, visitors are mesmerized by the dozens of jingling bells that decorate the temple’s gold-covered, copper top.

• Opening hours: 9:00 – 17:00

798 Art District

The 798 Art Space is located in Dashanzi, an area to the northeast of the hotel is one of the freshest new spaces in Beijing and everyday it draws the city’s most creative artists and impassioned art collectors. It was formerly a large state-owned enterprise built by the Russians in early 1959.

In 2002, artists and cultural organizations began using the space for design, photography, publishing, exhibitions, performance and art. They rented space in the factory and converted individual workshops into independent studios for art, architecture, music and fashion.

Most of 798 galleries are open to the public free. In the area there are cafés, bookstores, and various galleries from different artists.

Parks

Fragrant Hills

Near the Summer Palace are the Xī Shān (Western Hills), former villa-resort of the emperors. The part of Xī Shān closest to Běijīng is known as Fragrant Hills. Stroll up the slopes to Incense-Burner Peak (Xiānglú Fēng), or take the chairlift, for an all-embracing view of the countryside. Běijīngers flock here in autumn when the maple leaves saturate the hillsides in great splashes of red.Near the north gate of Fragrant Hills Park is the excellent Azure Clouds Temple, which dates back to the Yuan dynasty. The Mountain Gate Hall contains two vast protective deities: Heng and Ha, beyond which is a small courtyard and the drum and bell towers.

The Summer Palace

First Constructed in the Jin Dynasty (1115-1234), The Summer Palace is still regarded as having the most magnificent gardens in China, if not the world. The grounds consist of four parts: the court area, front-hill area, front-lake area, and rear-hill and back-lake area. Visitors will find the same combination of serenity and awe as did the Imperial families who escaped the city each summer to take their respite among the tranquility and beauty of the “three hills and five gardens.”

• Opening hours:
  6:30 – 18:00 (April 1 – October 31)
  7:00 – 17:00 (Nov 1 – March 31)

Olympic Park

Located directly opposite Pangu 7 Star Hotel is the Olympic Park, home of the 2008 Olympics Games, Beijing’s Olympic Green is where you will find the famous “Bird’s Nest” stadium and the intriguing “Water Cube”. This is a great place to spend an afternoon wandering around and enjoying the unique architecture.

Beihai Park

Beihai (North Sea) Park is one of the most popular parks in the city of Beijing. It covers a total area of over 68 hectares, more than half of it is taken up by the lake. Early in the 10th century, the Liao Dynasty built a secondary imperial residence here, called Yaoyu or Jade Islet. When the Jin took over, they renamed the capital Zhongdu, meaning Central Capital, and built an imperial palace. Qionghua (Jade Flowery) Islet was built of earth dug out from the lake, and the rocks used for piling on the hill were brought from Kaifeng, Henan Province. During the Yuan Dynasty, the place was rebuilt three times, and Guanghandian or the Palace in the Moon where Kublai Khan used to live and many other palace buildings were built on top of the hill. It was in this palace that Kublai Khan received Marco Polo. Unfortunately it was destroyed. The Islet became the centre of Dadu (Great Capital) and is still situated in the heart of modern Beijing.

• Opening Hours
  6:30 — 20:00 (January, February, March, November, December)
  6:00 — 21:00 (April, May, September, October)
  6:00 — 22:00 (June, July, August)

Shopping

Beijing offers an exciting blend of shopping experiences. Beijing’s downtown markets provide a fascinating contrast to the modern shopping arcades uptown. At the markets, “bargaining” is a way of life. Aside from a cultural experience, visitors will find aromatic Chinese herbs, spices, silks, traditional gifts and an abundance of pearls and gold jewelry, all in close proximity. The sophisticated malls offer the latest high fashions, sports shops and household items catering to the chic shopper.

Hongqiao Pearl Market

• Opening Hours: 9:30 — 19:00
• Location: No. 46 Tiantan Donglu,Chongwen
• Distance: 8km with 25 minutes drive
• Telephone: + 86 10 6713 3354

Floor Plan:

1F – Watches,
2F – Clothes, Shoes, Leather Goods
3F – Souvenir, Pearl
4F & 5F: Fine Jewelry Store

The Panjiayuan Folk Culture Market

• Address: No. 18 Huaweili Chaoyang District
• Distance: 7km with 20 minutes drive
• Spring and Summer Opening Hours:
  8:30 — 17:30 (Monday to Friday)
  7:00 — 17:30 (Saturday and Sunday)
• Autumn and Winter Opening Hours:
  8:30 — 16:30 (Monday to Sunday)
• Telephone: +86 10 87772727

The Panjiayuan folk culture market is a bazaar in Beijing dealing in secondhand goods of private citizens and art and craft articles. As a market for people to visit in holidays and leisure, it also involves all varieties of goods for collectors in the nation and is China's biggest collecting and distributing center of art and craft articles. Situated in a place of city traffic hub, south of Eastern Third Ring Road and west of Panjiayuan Bridge nearby Second Ring Road, it is very easy for visitors to reach. The market covers over three hectares of land and accommodates over 3,000 stalls open to business. Everyday, many Chinese people and foreigners patronize this market of traditional Chinese style.

Sanlitun Yaxiu Market

• Spring and Summer Opening Hours:
  10:00 – 21:00
• Autumn and Winter Opening Hours:
  10:00 – 20:30
• Location: Gonti Beilu, Chaoyang
• Distance: 4.5km with 15 minutes drive
• Telephone: +86 10 6416 8945

Floor Plan:


B1 – Shoes; Leather goods;
1F & 2F – Men’s and Ladies Wear
3F – Silk, Tailor Shop, Kid’s wear,
4F – Souvenir,Antique,Watches,Tea Shop, Manicure, Jewelry
5F – Food Court

Silk Market

• Opening Hours: 9:30 – 21:00
• Location: No. 8 Xiushui Dong Street, Chaoyang
• Distance: 4km with 10 minutes drive
• Telephone: +86 10 5169 9003

On 19 March 2005, Beijing Silk Street High-rise, which draws lots of attentions, opened for business officially. After more than 20 years development, the two characters ”Xiu Shui” have become a famous brand among the sphere of commodity circulation in Beijing. The Silk Street High-rise is tightly near CBD, the total floorage amount to 28,000 square meters, and there are 1,500 stalls in the market. Commodities mainly sold in Silk Street are shoes, bags and cases, leather, famous brand, casual wear, fashion clothing, cowboy series, sports leisure attire, knitted dress, kid's clothing, tie, silk handkerchief, silk wax printing, craft table cloth, handicraft, jewelry, antique, calligraphy and painting, Beijing roast duck and characteristic snack, etc.

Floor Plan:


B1 – Shoes, leather goods,
1F – Men’s Wear
2F – Ladies Wear
3F – Sport Wear, Silk, Kid’s Wear
4F – Souvenirs, Antiques, Watches, Tea Shop, Jewelry, Salon
5F – Fine Jewelry
6F – Restaurant and Tong Ren Tan (Quanjude Roast Duck, Western Restaurant)
7F – Restaurant (Quanjude & Xiawang’s Home)

Night Life

Sanlitun Bar Street

Sanlitun Lu is a row of restaurants and bars, several bars offer live music, there are lots of DVD salesmen and a number of other entertainment activities are available.

Houhai

Houhai is Beijing's newly developed old town. It is home to about 100 small restaurants and pubs. A great place for dinner and then migrate from place to place for drinks or a nice stroll with good people watching.

Nan Luo Guxiang

Nan Luo Gu Xiang is in the heart of old Beijing, lined with tiny, antique, hole- in- the -wall cafes, charming restaurants, music shops, bookstores, massage boutiques, vintage clothes shops, smoothie joints, street food and arty bars, it is great to just wander down starting at one end and browsing your way to the other.