Shenwu Gate is the northern gate of the Forbidden City and the main entrance to the Palace Museum. It was built in the 18th year of the Yongle reign during the Ming Dynasty (1420) and was called Xuanwu Gate at that time. Xuanwu is one of the Four Symbols in ancient Chinese mythology. In terms of cardinal directions, the Azure Dragon is on the left, the White Tiger on the right, the Vermilion Bird in front, and the Black Tortoise (Xuanwu) behind. Xuanwu governs the north, hence many imperial palaces named their north gates “Xuanwu.”
Cining Palace was first built in the 15th year of the Jiajing reign of the Ming Dynasty (1536). During the Ming Dynasty, it served as the residence of imperial concubines. The early to mid Qing Dynasty marked the heyday of Cining Palace, during which Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang and Empress Dowager Xiaosheng, among others, resided here. Emperors Shunzhi, Kangxi, and Qianlong were all known for their filial piety, and grand ceremonies to celebrate the birthdays of the dowager empresses were frequently held at Cining Palace.
Also known as the Square Moat Altar, the Temple of Earth is the second largest of the five altars in Beijing, the ancient capital. Built in the ninth year of the Jiajing reign during the Ming Dynasty (1530 AD), it served as the site where emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties worshipped the “God of Earth.” It is also the largest existing altar dedicated to earth worship in China. The total area of the temple is 37.4 hectares and it has a square layout. The entire architectural complex is designed from overall to detail
Established in 1992, the Beijing Cultural Exchange Museum is a comprehensive museum dedicated to the promotion, dissemination, and research of cultural relics, museums, folk collections, and cultural exchanges. The temple where it is located, Zhihua Temple, was first built in the ninth year of the Zhengtong era of the Ming Dynasty (1444), boasting a history of approximately 560 years. In 1961, it was designated by the State Council
Covering an area of 496 mu, Crabapple Park serves a population of approximately 200,000. It was completed in May 2009 and opened to the public free of charge. The park site spans two villages rich in historical and cultural heritage — Haihutun to the south and Laojuntang Village to the north. Given the long histories of these two villages, one character (by sound) from each was chosen to name the park “Crabapple” (海棠).
Café de la Paix is a famous café in Paris’s 9th arrondissement, designed by Charles Garnier, the architect of the Paris Opera House. Legend has it that if you sit in this café, you’re bound to run into a friend or acquaintance—proof of its fame and popularity. Café de la Paix was established on June 30...
The Great Hall of the People is located on the west side of Tiananmen Square in the center of Beijing, and on the south side of West Chang’an Avenue. It is the meeting place of the National People’s Congress (NPC) of China, serving as the office space for both the NPC and its Standing Committee. It is an important venue for political activities held by the Communist Party, the state, and various people's organizations, as well as a site for political, diplomatic, and cultural events involving China’s leaders and its people.
The Temple of the God of Literature is one of the Five Altars and Eight Temples in Beijing. Located in Mao’er Hutong in the northern part of the city, it is also known as the Wenchang Zitong Temple. The Wenchang Palace, also called the Wenchang Temple, venerates the God of Literature (Wenchang Dijun), who is a combined deity of the Wenchang Star and the Zitong Emperor. Both the Wenchang Star and the Zitong Emperor are revered in Taoism as gods who preside over scholarly honor and official rank. In the third year of the Yanxing era during the reign of Emperor Renzong of Yuan (1316), the two were merged into the “Divine Lord Wenchang Who Assists the Origin and Spreads Civilization, Governs Literary Fortune, and Embodies Great Benevolence,” hence referred to as the God of Literature. The Wenchang Temple was built during the Zhizheng era of Emperor Shundi of Yuan, and underwent major renovations in the sixth year of the Jiaqing era during the Qing Dynasty (1801). The temple complex includes a mountain gate, bell and drum towers, the Kuiguang Hall, the Guixiang Hall (dedicated to the God of Literature), an imperial stele pavilion, as well as the Guan Yu Hall, the God of Wealth Hall, and the Great Compassion Hall. In total, the temple consists of 89 halls, chambers, and buildings of various sizes. Two major sacrificial ceremonies are held each year in spring and autumn (the spring ceremony takes place on the third day of the second lunar month, believed to be the birthday of the God of Literature), with rituals and scale similar to those of the Guan Yu Temple. Originally, the temple was tended only by Taoist priests, but later it came under the leadership of Buddhist monks, specifically from the Huayan School (also known as the Xianshou School) of Buddhism. After the Xinhai Revolution, the temple ceased its ritual activities. The front section of the former temple site now houses the Mao’er Hutong Primary School.
The Corner Tower of the Forbidden City is a multi-angular structure composed of four protruding rectangular planes. Its roof has three tiers: the upper tier features an interlocking hip-and-gable roof formed by combining a double-sloped suspended gable roof with a four-sloped hip roof. With nine main ridges on this type of roof, it is called the "Nine-Ridge Hall." The middle tier employs the "interconnected roofing" technique, with four surrounding wing rooms—
Located within the Hall of Abstinence in Ditan Park, this wax museum displays lifelike figures of notable figures from various historical periods in China. It is also the first large-scale wax museum in the country. The museum opened to the public in 1990 and covers a construction area of approximately 800 square meters. The building was originally used as a place for emperors during the Ming and Qing dynasties to observe fasting rituals before performing ceremonies to worship the earth. It consists of the main hall, the west side hall, and the east side hall.
The Southeast Corner Tower of Beijing City Wall is located at the northeastern part of Chongwen District, at the end of East Dajie outside Chongwenmen, and is managed by the People's Government of Chongwen District. It is the largest and oldest surviving corner tower on a city wall in China. To its northwest stands the majestic and bustling Beijing Railway Station, to its southeast lies the newly built Dongbianmen Overpass, to its west it faces Chongwenmen from afar, and to its east it neighbors the Tonghui River.
The China Fire Museum covers an exhibition area of 9,500 square meters and consists of a prelude hall, ancient fire service hall, modern fire service hall, fire prevention and disaster experience hall, and temporary exhibition halls. Established by the Fire Bureau of the Ministry of Public Security, the museum began trial operations on November 9, 2010. The China Fire Museum is located in Xicheng District, Beijing.
Located at No. 19, Er’tiao, Gongmenkou, Fuchengmennei, Xicheng District, Beijing, this was Lu Xun’s residence in Beijing from 1924 to 1926. Lu Xun (1881–1936), originally named Zhou Shuren, was a native of Shaoxing, Zhejiang Province, and a renowned modern Chinese writer and thinker. Throughout his life, Lu Xun authored numerous works, and during this period, he wrote immortal pieces such as <i>The Collection Under the Canopy</i>, <i>Sequel to The Collection Under the Canopy</i>, <i>Grave</i>, <i>Wild Grass</i>, and <i>Wandering</i>.
Among the numerous alleys of varying sizes in Beijing, there are many courtyard-style residences enclosed by houses on the east, south, west, and north sides — these are siheyuan (courtyards). The main gate of a siheyuan is usually located at the southeast or northwest corner. The northern house in the courtyard is the principal room, built on a brick-and-stone platform foundation, making it larger in scale than the other buildings and serving as the residence of the household head.
A site for worshipping Confucius during China’s Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties. Located on Guozijian Street in Dongcheng District, Beijing. Beijing Confucius Temple (19 photos) It was built in the 6th year of the Yuandade era (1302) and completed in the 10th year. Reconstructed in the 9th year of the Ming Yongle era (1411). The main hall was renovated during the Xuande, Jiajing, and Wanli eras, with the Chongsheng Shrine added. Further renovations occurred during the Qing Shunzhi, Yongzheng...
Destination Introduction Located at the northern entrance of Wangfujing Street, Donghuamen Night Market is the most famous snack street in Beijing. It enjoys an excellent reputation not only within the city but also among both domestic and international tourists. Nowadays, visiting Donghuamen Night Market has become a staple evening activity for tour groups coming to Beijing. Speaking of the history of Donghuamen Night Market, …
Destination Introduction Beijing Library is China's national library and one of the world’s top five libraries with collections exceeding ten million volumes. In the 31st year of the Guangxu reign (1905), the Qing government promoted modern education and abolished the imperial examination system. Hunan established the country’s first library. In the 33rd year of the Guangxu reign (1907), Zhang Zhidong was transferred…
The Imperial College was the highest educational institution and administrative body for education established by the state during the Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties. Also known as "Tai Xue" (Imperial Academy) or "Guo Xue" (National School), it was first built in the 24th year of the Zhiyuan era of the Yuan Dynasty (1287 AD). During the Yongle and Zhengtong eras of the Ming Dynasty, it underwent large-scale renovations and expansions, and in the 48th year of the Qianlong reign of the Qing Dynasty, the "Piyong" complex of royal buildings was added.
The Monument to the People's Heroes is located in the center of Tiananmen Square in Beijing. On September 30, 1949, the First Plenary Session of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) decided to erect the Monument in the capital city of Beijing to commemorate the martyrs who sacrificed their lives in the People's Liberation War and the people's revolution. At 6 p.m. that day, all attendees of the CPPCC held a foundation-laying ceremony for the monument in front of Tiananmen.
Introduction The National Centre for the Performing Arts is located in the heart of Beijing, along West Chang’an Avenue, adjacent to the Great Hall of the People and Tiananmen Square. It covers a land area of 118,900 square meters, with a total floor space of 217,500 square meters (including an underground parking area of nearly 46,600 square meters). The central building of the National Centre for the Performing Arts is a un…