"Beijing"

China's second biggest city, Beijing has been the country's political center for more than 800 years. And for almost as long it has been an important center for cultural, economic, scientific, and academic life.

Beijing is home to many of China's best-known attractions, including the spectacular Imperial Palace, also known as the Forbidden City. Many of the city's top tourist attractions are in its well-preserved historic city center, making it possible to visit most of them on foot as part of an organized tour. Of these, highlights include the magnificent Temple of Heaven (Tiāntán), Tian'anmen Square (the world's largest public square), and the beautiful Beihai Park. You should also include the fascinating Beijing Ancient Observatory. Built in 1442, it was still in use in the early 20th century.

A newer attraction that's worth a visit is the wonderfully designed Beijing National Stadium (Guójiā Tǐyùchǎng). Also known as the "Bird's Nest," this unique structure was built for the 2008 Olympics, and in addition to guided tours, you can visit the stadium during concerts and sporting events. Beijing is also a great place from which to explore the surrounding area and attractions, such as the Great Wall of China.

Food and Drink in Beijing

1. Peking Duck

China’s national dish was born in Beijing. This crispy duck is pumped full of air, coated in a sweet maltose syrup and then cooked for hours in a hung oven. The result is juicy meat with crispy, candied skin. Beijingers typically eat this duck in savoury pancakes filled with spring onion, cucumber and hoisin, though it’s delicious on its own as well.

2. Shuàn Yángròu (instant boiled mutton)

This is a classic Beijing dish that dates back to the Yuan dynasty. Strips of mutton are cut paper-thin and served raw with a pot of boiling water or soup. Diners cook the meat in the water themselves and then dip it into a sesame sauce. The mutton is usually part of a larger meal called a hot pot, which also includes vegetables, noodles, and sometimes other meats.

3. Jiaozi (Chinese dumplings)

Although they’re considered traditionally Chinese, jiaozi are popular all over Asia. Dumplings usually consist of a ground meat or vegetable filling wrapped in thin dough. Jiaozi can contain all kinds of filling (some even have soup in them!) and can be steamed, pan-fried or boiled.

4. Jing Jiang Rou Si (shredded pork in Beijing sauce)

This traditional dish is made with shredded pork tenderloin stir fried to perfection in a sweet bean sauce, sometimes referred to as “Beijing sauce”, and served on a bed of leeks.

5. Pearl Milk Tea ( 珍珠奶茶 )

If soy milk alone doesn't stand much of a chance with you as a tangible milk replacement, then, perhaps, you should turn to pearl milk for a change... or, rather, pearl milk tea – one of the latest soft drink hits with the Chinese youngsters, imported from Taiwan. Never mind that you're not a youngster yourself anymore or Chinese... Trying it won't hurt! The drink features jelly or pudding-like bubbles in sweetened milk tea and leaves a slightly bitter aftertaste.