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Beijing Monuments & Museums
If you are very passionate of all monuments, museums and all the architecture of a town, you can find here all that you are looking for. Here you can find information about all the best monuments of Beijing. Information about Beijing monuments, landmarks, historic buildings and museums in Beijing.
"Beijing See
Landmarks
The centre of the city and most important landmark is Tiananmen Square in Dongcheng District. This is the world's largest public square and a must see for all visitors from abroad and from elsewhere in China. The square is surrounded by grand buildings and is also home to Chairman Mao Memorial Hall.
The National Stadium or Bird's Nest in Chaoyang District is a new major landmark and the symbol of the 2008 Olympic Games. Two modern buildings in CBD in Chaoyang District are remarkable landmarks, the CCTV Building (sometimes called The Underpants by locals) and the World Trade Center Tower III, which are both outstanding examples of modern architecture.
There are also a number of remarkable remains from the medival city walls and towers including the Ming Dynasty City Wall Site Park (the only remains of the city wall) and Qianmen at the south end of Tiananmen both located in Chongwen District and Deshengmen in Xicheng District.
Palaces, temples and parks
The many green oasis in the city are a wonderful contrast to walking around along the never ending boulevards and narrow hutongs. This has also been spotted by the locals who flock to palaces, temples and parks whenever they have time for that. The green areas are not only used for relaxing but also for sports, dancing, singing and playing.
The most important of these is the Forbidden city in Dongcheng District, which was home to the Imperial Chinese Court during the Ming and Qing Dynasties. The Temple of Heaven in Chongwen District is home to the symbol of Beijing and is surrounded by a very lively park with hordes of local people. The Yonghegong (Lama Temple) in Dongcheng District is one of the most important and beautiful temples in the country.
There are parks scattered around all over Beijing. Some of the best are Zhongshan Park in Xicheng District, Beihai Park in Xicheng District, Chaoyang Park in Chaoyang District and Ritan Park in Chaoyang District. Beijing Zoo in Xicheng District is also worth a visit, espacially for the pandas.
In Haidian District are the Summer palace, Fragrant Hills and Botanical Garden quite close to each other and definitely worth a visit.
Museums and galleries
The museums in Beijing are still not up to the standard seen in cities such as Paris, Rome and New York, however the city contains one of the largest and most well known art museums in Asia, the Palace Museum in the Forbidden City; it is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. But the government is determined to change this fact and has put a lot of money into the development of museums and has also made most of them free to visit (but for some, tickets must be reserved three days in advance).
One of the most well-known museums in Beijing is the National Museum in Dongcheng District, which has been closed for renovation since 2007 and is expected to reopen in 2010. The Military Museum in Haidian District has long been a favourite with domestic and foreign tourists. The Capital Museum in Xicheng District is a new high profile museum with historical and art exhibitions. Finally, a number of former residents of famous Beijingers, especially in Xicheng District, give a good insigth in daily life in former times.
The contemporary art scene in Beijing is booming and a large number of artists exhibits and sells their art in galleries around the city. The galleries are concentrated in a number of art districts, including the oldest and easiest accessible but also increasingly commercial and mainstream Dashanzi Art District in Chaoyang District as well as the newer and maybe also more cutting edge Caochangdi in Chaoyang District and Songzhuan Artist's Village in Tongzhou District."
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