The Forbidden City: This iconic Beijing landmark is featured in every guidebook. It stands as the most grandiose building in Beijing and is renowned as the largest palace complex in the world. For centuries, it served as the seat of power where Chinese emperors ruled. The palace was isolated from the rest of the city by moats and a purple wall, giving rise to its name. On the Beijing sightseeing map, the Forbidden City is situated at the center, just north of Tiananmen Square.
Beijing's most historically significant landmark is the Sinanthropus, and a photo of this prehistoric man can be found in any anthropology textbook. Excavations were conducted in the early twentieth century in Beijing's southwestern Fangshan district. It was here, on the territory of the modern village of Zhoukoudian, that the remains of our ancestor, who lived 600,000 years ago, were discovered.
Another attraction in Beijing that deserves poetic praise is the Black Dragon Pond. It is renowned as the most picturesque water body in the Chinese capital.
Legend has it that once upon a time, in this gorge, a Black Dragon resided. Day after day, he toiled tirelessly, attempting to transform the rugged mountains into a lush green paradise. However, all his efforts proved futile. Witnessing the dragon's struggles, the master of Yunmen Mountain took pity on him and bestowed upon the dragon 18 pearls. When these pearls were cast upon the ground, they miraculously transformed into eighteen stunning pools of water.
Shisanlin: The name of this Beijing attraction translates to the "Valley of Tombs." It is the final resting place of the ashes of 13 Ming emperors. While the site contains the tombs of all 13 emperors, only two crypts are open to tourists.
Of course, a sightseeing map of Beijing would be incomplete without the Great Wall of China - it's akin to visiting Paris and not seeing the Eiffel Tower! It's worth noting that over 40 kilometers of the wall have already been completely eroded or lost due to rapid agricultural development. If this trend continues, China's iconic symbol may face the risk of disappearing entirely.
