Beijing

Only the stark marble columns of the Western-style section remain, as the wooden portions were burned down by the Anglo-French forces. — Afar Magazine

This vast concrete expanse (it covers more than a hundred acres) is dominated by an unsmiling portrait of Chairman Mao. — Concierge

Spend a morning visiting The Temple of Heaven where visitors can see traditions in practice. — Condé Nast Traveler

This lamasery, one of the major attractions in Beijing, boasted a spiritual aura equal to that of the Jokhang Temple in Lhasa. I. — Michelin Guide

China's largest royal park was once called the Garden of Cultivated Harmony. — Afar Magazine

You can also spend an entire morning just wandering the willow-lined avenues, but be sure to pass by the Five Dragon Pavilions, where locals often congregate to sing and dance. — Afar Magazine

You'll be guided into a spacious lobby dominated by a marble Mao statue and then to the Hall of Reverence, where his embalmed body lies in state. — Fodor's

The Capital Museum... immediately impresses visitors with its monumental and innovative architecture. — Michelin Guide

Located on the central axis of Beijing, the Drum and Bell Towers once kept time for locals, signaling when the heavy gates of the city wall would shut for the night. — Afar Magazine

Graffiti is scrawled all across the complex, with art galleries, outdoor sculptures, fancy cafes, and adorable boutiques hidden around every corner. — Afar Magazine

This gate is the largest in what was once known as the Imperial City and the most emblematic of Chinese government grandeur. — Frommer's

The Forbidden City gets top billing in Beijing, and that's good news for visitors to Jingshan Park. — Afar Magazine

The Forbidden City has nearly 1,000 buildings spread across 72 hectares (178 acres), making it the world's largest palace complex. — Afar Magazine

The Longevity Temple, now home to the Beijing Art Museum (Beijing Yishu Bowuguan), was funded by a eunuch and was originally constructed in 1577. — Frommer's

This museum highlights the urban changes that Beijing has experienced in recent years. — Michelin Guide

This splendid imperial residence belonged to several people, including the sixth son of the Guangxu emperor (Prince Gong) who, at the age of 27, was left to sign the Convention of Peking in 1860... — Frommer's

Wear comfortable shoes, because the green covers an area roughly six times the size of Athens' Olympic Green and three times the size of New York's Central Park. — Frommer's