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From Tian'anmen Square to Wangfujing Street

Within easy reach of conveniently located central hotels and the smooth running subway Line 2, the area from Tian'anmen Square to Wangfujing is a good starting point for any sightseeing itinerary of Beijing.

While orientating yourself in the city, it is useful to imagine a series of semi-linear circles resting on a grid system and emanating outwards from the Forbidden City. This area is the natural heart of the city. Standing on Chang'an Jie, with your back to Tian'anmen Square and facing the Forbidden City, you are looking north. Chang'an Jie connects Dabeiyao in the east and runs to Shijingshan, a distance of 38 kilometres. To your left, is Xicheng District, and on the right, in the east, is Wangfujing.

Around Tian'anmen Square the Gate of Heavenly Peace, Great Hall of The People and China National Museum are all worth a visit. The body of Chairman Mao lies in state in the Mao Zedong Mausoleum in the southcentral part of the Square. A must for all city visitors, the important attraction usually requires some waiting time.

To the east, Wangfujing is an important shopping centre and a focal point for Chinese and foreign visitors to the city. The malls at Oriental Plaza provide a western shopping experience that attracts huge crowds at holiday time.

The site of Imperial China over a 500-year history, the Forbidden City is breathtaking. Spread out over 720,000 square metres (sq.m), 800 buildings and 9,999 rooms, the city will challenge any seasoned traveller to leave unimpressed. Home to emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties (1644–1911) the Forbidden City is also known as the Imperial Palace and Palace Museum. Constructed in the early 1400s by Emperor Yongle, the Forbidden City remained an imperial palace until 1924. A fire in 1644 burnt the original wooden structures to the ground and most of what is now seen dates to after the18th century.

The last emperor Pu Yi (1906–1967) left the City in 1924. In ancient times, gongs and bells would sound around the massive Meridian Gate. Within, the emperor was surrounded by a massive staff and the many wives and members of the Imperial family. No other men were allowed in the city at night except the emperor's eunuchs.

To get around this area, use the services of a pedicab, a semi-covered bicycle rickshaw. Usually manned by very helpful and colourful local characters, the pedicab lets you see the sights and, in the summer time, stay cool. Watch the prices though and remember, haggle!

A suggested route might be to walk the length of Wangfujing, taking in the Foreign Languages and Wangfujing bookstores at the top and bottom of the street, not missing out on the silk and clothing shops between. Hop onto a pedicab at the top of the street and head down Jingshan Qianjie towards the Forbidden City. You can enter the City opposite Jingshan Park coming out at the other end on Chang'an Jie. Further west is Beihai Park, another enchanting, centrally located former Imperial Park.