Beijing

The Forbidden City, also known as the Imperial Palace Museum, is the largest and best-preserved wooden ancient palace complex globally. Built between 1406 and 1420 under Emperor Yongle of the Ming Dynasty, it served as the imperial residence for 24 emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties until 1912. Covering 720,000 square meters with 8,707 rooms, the palace complex symbolizes China’s imperial grandeur and architectural mastery. Its yellow-glazed roof tiles, red walls, and symmetrical layout reflect Confucian ideals and cosmic order. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987, it now houses over 1.8 million cultural relics, offering a glimpse into China’s imperial past.

The Great Wall, a colossal fortification and UNESCO World Heritage Site, is the world’s longest defensive barrier, stretching over 21,196 kilometers across northern China. Built incrementally from the 7th century BCE to the 17th century CE, it symbolizes China’s resilience, strategic ingenuity, and imperial ambition. Originally constructed to protect against nomadic invasions, the Wall evolved into a cultural icon, blending military architecture with natural landscapes. Today, it stands as a testament to human endurance, with sections like Badaling, Mutianyu, and Jinshanling offering breathtaking vistas and historical insights.

The Temple of Heaven (Tiāntán), a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1998, is China’s most sacred imperial sacrificial complex. Built in 1420 under Emperor Yongle of the Ming Dynasty, it served as the ritual ground for emperors to pray for good harvests and communicate with heaven for 500 years. Covering 2.73 million square meters—four times larger than the Forbidden City—its circular mounds, blue-tiled roofs, and acoustically engineered structures symbolize the ancient Chinese belief in the "Mandate of Heaven." Unlike earthly palaces, its design emphasizes humility, with no residential buildings, reflecting imperial submission to cosmic order.

The Summer Palace (Yíhéyuán) is China’s grandest imperial garden, blending natural landscapes with architectural artistry. Built between 1750 and 1764 under Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty, it served as a royal retreat for emperors and empresses to escape Beijing’s summer heat. Destroyed by Anglo-French forces in 1860 and rebuilt in 1886, it became Empress Dowager Cixi’s opulent escape, draining the navy’s budget for renovations. Spanning 2.9 square kilometers, the garden features Kunming Lake (75% water) and Longevity Hill (25% land), with over 3,000 ancient pavilions, corridors, and temples. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1998, it epitomizes Chinese garden philosophy—harmonizing humanity with nature.

Tiananmen Square, the world’s largest urban public plaza (440,000 m²), is the beating heart of China’s political and cultural identity. Built in 1417 as the ceremonial gateway to the Imperial City during the Ming Dynasty, it was renamed "Gate of Heavenly Peace" (Tiān’ānmén) in 1651. Redesigned in 1958 as a "People’s Square," it has witnessed emperors, revolutions, and modern triumphs—from Mao Zedong’s 1949 proclamation of the People’s Republic to annual National Day parades. Flanked by the Forbidden City, Monument to the People’s Heroes, and Mao Zedong Memorial Hall, it symbolizes China’s journey from imperial feudalism to socialist modernity.