Beijing: Imperial Past, Global Future

Uncover the historical heart of China. Comprehensive guides to the Forbidden City, the Great Wall, Tiananmen Square, and essential tips for navigating the modern metropolis.

A modern Beijing subway train, silver with a blue front and a yellow stripe along its side, travels at speed on elevated tracks. Blurred green trees and tall white apartment buildings are visible in the background.

Beijing Subway Survival Guide: Master the Metro Like a Local

If you attempt to navigate Beijing by taxi during rush hour, you will spend more time looking at the bumper [...]

A person wearing a blue hooded jacket and orange hiking pants climbs very steep, uneven stone steps on a dilapidated section of the Great Wall. Other hikers are visible further up the crumbling path under a bright blue sky with scattered white clouds. Sparse green trees and bushes grow alongside the ancient stone wall.

Hiking the Great Wall: Best Sections, Trails & Logistics for Travelers

Standing on a watchtower at sunset, watching the stone dragon wind over ridges that disappear into the mist, is the [...]

Aerial view of a narrow, lively Beijing Hutong street at evening. Traditional grey-tiled roof buildings with illuminated shop fronts line both sides, bustling with pedestrians. Red lanterns are visible near several entrances. In the foreground, a rooftop patio with tables and chairs overlooks the street, and tall modern buildings are faintly visible on the horizon.

Beijing Hutong Exploration: Hidden Courtyards, Local Life & Food

While the Great Wall and the Forbidden City represent the imperial grandeur of China's capital, the true soul of the [...]