Built in 1420, the Temple of Heaven is considered the holiest of the imperial temples in the city. This was where emperors used to pray during the winter solstice for a good crop. As emperors were thought to be appointed by heaven, a bad crop was believed to signify him falling out of favour. The temple is a complex masterpiece, incorporating spirituality and mysticism in its design. The best time to visit the Temple of Heaven is in the morning.
Tiananmen Square is the largest city square in the world, with an approximate area of 440,000 square metres. Here tourists will be able to watch the national flag being raised each morning, visit the displays at the National Museum, climb the Tiananmen Rostrum and see the Mausoleum of Mao Zedong. The Great Hall of the People and the Monument of the National Heroes are also located here. Other popular historical sites in the city include the Yonghe Lama Temple and the Summer Palace.
Even with excellent public transport, Beijing can be quite confusing to navigate especially for first time visitors. Due to the city’s massive size centrally located accommodation can make the difference between a great vacation filled with treasured experiences and memories and one spent constantly in transit. The Peninsula Beijing is a luxury Beijing hotel situated in the heart of the city. A standout among Forbidden City hotels, it enjoys an excellent location which ensures that guests will only be a few minutes from the city’s best attractions.