This octagonal pagoda stands seven storeys tall, rising to a height of 16 metres. Along each side are small windows, each carefully engraved with images of the Buddha—silent sentinels watching over the landscape.

From its upper tiers hang bronze bells, which chime gently in the wind, creating a melodious song that drifts across Longevity Hill.

In front of the pagoda stands a stone tablet inscribed with “Ode to the Imperial Built Pagoda of Many Treasures of Longevity Hill”—written in four languages: Chinese, Manchu, Mongolian, and Tibetan.

The Great Wall at Huanghuacheng is not under maintenance. Small trees and bushes have begun to grow along the top, giving it a wild and natural appearance.

Only a narrow footpath remains for those adventurous enough to follow the wall—winding between the overgrowth and stone, offering solitude and quiet views.

In Tiantan Park in Beijing, you’ll find the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests. Built in 1420, this magnificent structure is a masterpiece of traditional Chinese architecture.

Its wooden pillars ingeniously support the ceiling without the use of nails—a testament to ancient craftsmanship. The building stands 38 meters tall and spans 30 meters in diameter, crowned with a triple-eaved roof covered in blue glazed tiles that symbolize the heavens.

The only animals in the zoo that have some semblance of a natural environment are just a few. Most of the others live on bare concrete floors, with no hay, no shelter—nothing to mimic their natural habitat.

It’s a shame. Not just for the animals, but for the reputation of the zoo itself. (Remember it's 1999, I guess it has changed a lot since then).

The Sacred Road leads to the Ming Tombs, a solemn and majestic path lined with stone figures. Along the way, you’ll encounter guards, ministers, animals—and even mythical creatures carved from stone.

At the entrance stands a giant tortoise, crafted in 1425. It carries the largest stele in China, a towering monument that marks the beginning of this ceremonial route.

This is the entrance to the Lama Temple in Beijing—perhaps the most colorful temple in the city, surrounded by serene gardens and intricate architecture. Originally built in 1694, it was transformed into a lamasery in 1744, becoming a residence for monks from Mongolia and Tibet.

Inside, the temple houses a breathtaking 18-meter-tall Buddha, carved from a single piece of sandalwood—a masterpiece of devotion and craftsmanship.

During the Second Opium War in 1860, French and British troops pillaged and set fire to the imperial family's summer residence in Beijing. These haunting ruins are now known as the Old Summer Palace—or Yuanmingyuan, the "Gardens of Perfect Brightness."

The palace was never rebuilt. Today, visitors can wander through the park, where miniature reconstructions and crumbling stone remnants hint at the grandeur that once stood here.

The Great Wall at Simatai remains in a relatively untouched, natural state—steep, rugged, and brimming with history. This section boasts 135 watchtowers, each uniquely designed and strategically placed across the mountainous terrain.

Archaeological discoveries here include small cannons and chilling evidence of rocket-type weapons—some reportedly equipped with flying knives and swords, hinting at the fierce ingenuity of ancient warfare.

The Great Wall at Simatai remains in a relatively untouched, natural state—steep, rugged, and brimming with history. This section boasts 135 watchtowers, each uniquely designed and strategically placed across the mountainous terrain.

Archaeological discoveries here include small cannons and chilling evidence of rocket-type weapons—some reportedly equipped with flying knives and swords, hinting at the fierce ingenuity of ancient warfare.

When you arrive at Simatai, you pay an entrance fee to explore the historic stretch of the Great Wall. Some sections have been carefully restored, but much of it remains raw and untouched—just as it stood during the Ming Dynasty.

The terrain is rugged. No trees or bushes break up the stone landscape, and some staircases tilt as steeply as 70 degrees. It’s definitely not the right place to bring your sweet old grandma in a wheelchair 😄. You'll need strong legs, a good dose of courage, and a daypack to keep your hands free.

The Marco Polo Bridge, also known as Lugou Bridge, was famously described by Marco Polo in the 13th century and still bears his name today. Stretching 260 meters, it features 250 marble balustrades and is adorned with 485 intricately carved stone lions, each with its own unique expression and posture.

Emperor Qianlong celebrated the bridge’s beauty in his poetry. His verse, Morning Moon Over Lugou Bridge, is now engraved on stone tablets mounted on steles beside the bridge—an enduring tribute to Beijing’s scenic wonders.

This bridge played a pivotal role in history. In 1937, it served as a key route into Beijing during the Japanese invasion. The clash that occurred here marked the beginning of the Second Sino-Japanese War, and the city was subsequently referred to as Peking. Just a few hundred meters away stands the Museum of the War of Chinese People's Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, preserving the memory of that turbulent time.

Pedicabs are one way to get around the city. We didn’t try them—partly because it was too cold, and partly because of their reputation among foreigners. Stories circulate about fares mysteriously multiplying by ten upon arrival, despite prior agreements. That’s what we read and heard, though things may have changed if you visit Beijing today.

A pedicab typically holds one or two passengers, with the driver pedaling up front. It’s a snug, street-level way to explore—but perhaps best reserved for warmer days and clear fare negotiations.