The extraordinary urban growth of China began in 1949, when they were demolished its old walls in order to link the historical with the newly created districts. That is why the downtown focus the main historical monuments and sites of interest. They are:

Old Summer Palace (Yuan Ming Yuan)
This compound, whose construction started in 1707 and lasted for 150 years, was destroyed in 1860, as a result of the Opium War (1856-1860). Its perimeter is twice the size of the Summer Palace, becoming the largest palace compound in Beijing. Its ruins, which dominates the Baroque style, it is worth noting that of Xi Yang Lou (Mansion west), Better known in his day as the Garden of Eternal Spring.

Forbidden City (Zijin Cheng)
This stunning fortified “with an area of 0.72 km ² and 800 buildings to his credit served as the imperial residence during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Its construction started in 1404 by the hand of the third Ming emperor, Yongle (1360-1424), although the reform and expansion work went on for centuries. Its many buildings converted to the Forbidden Purple City (his real name) in the largest collection of ancient wooden structures in the world. Among other options, the exhibition offers the opportunity to see three imperial throne and the stunning gardens of the court, which for over 500 years was barred for Beijingers on pain of death. An audio guide? Also available in Castilian helps visitors to know all the details of this architectural gem, which in 1987 became part of World Heritage.

Nest Stadium
Designed by architects Jacques Herzog and Pierre de Meuron to accommodate various tests for the 2008 Olympic Games, this unique and impressive piece of engineering is a bit away from the center of the city. Its dimensions are 330 m long, 220 m wide and 69 m in height and is equipped with an innovative system that takes advantage of solar energy.

Great Wall
The most visited section of this famous monument is located in the town of Badaling, about 65 km from Beijing. Started in the V century BC and completed in times of the Ming Dynasty (sixteenth century), the Great Wall had at that time with a length of 20,000 km, extending from the border to the Gobi Desert. However, it has only survived to the present 30% of the original layout (8851.8 km). Although their dimensions vary, in most of its perimeter, they range from 6 to 7 m high and between 4 and 5 m wide. In 1987, UNESCO joined the World Heritage List, while in 2007 was named one of the Seven Wonders of the World by popular vote.

Silk Market
This spectacular seven-storey shopping center accommodates all types of reproductions of clothing and accessories of international brands, with excellent value for money. All vendors speak English and some of them also Castilian.

Summer Palace (Yi He Yuan)
Located about 12 km from downtown, this magnificent castle grounds Whose real name is ‘Garden of Health and Harmony’ rises on the banks of Lake Kunming. Started in 1750 by order of the Qing emperor Qianlong (1711-1799), was destroyed during the Second Opium War (1856-1860), so that the Empress Dowager Cixi (1835-1908) promoted its reconstruction in 1899. The resort became the second residence of the regent from 1901 and, in turn, housed the headquarters of the Chinese government until 1908. Some of its buildings are emblematic Marble Boat Flag that left room for the parties organized by Cixi the slender Fragrant Buddha Pagoda, the bridge of 17 arches and the Grand Corridor, a corridor of 750 ft ceiling decorated encompasses 14,000 paintings connecting various branches of the enclosure. In 1998, UNESCO included the Summer Palace in the World Heritage List.

Jingshang Park (Mountain Landscape)
Built in 1179, at the time of the dinstia Jin, from this park boasts magnificent views of the Forbidden City and other nearby buildings as the White Pagoda. Although you can access the summit on foot, some offer special palanquin carrying the visitor for a small fee. The park also hosts some interesting commemorative arches and a remarkable botanical garden.

Temple of Heaven (Tian Tan)
The architectural layout of the complex Inscribed on World Heritage List of UNESCO in 1998 evokes the ancient popular notion that the earth China was a world map on which rested the sky. Erected in 1420, the complex became the center of prayer par excellence of the emperors during the Ming and Qing dynasties. As prominent buildings, it is referring to the spectacular altar of Earth and Harvest (built in 1530) and the Temple of Imperial Ancestors, subsequently renamed as People’s Cultural Park.

Tiananmen Square (Gate of Heavenly)
It was built in 1949 next to the Forbidden City, coinciding with the end of the civil war and the arrival of the Communist Party to power, and obeying a clear purpose: to accommodate mass gatherings of political advertising. Its dimensions (880 m from north to south and 500 m from east to west) make it the world’s largest square. Among its points of interest include Tiananmen Tower, the Mausoleum of Mao Zedong Where you can visit the mummified body of the president, between 8 and 12 h in the morning, Contrails, Zhengyangmen Gate (built during the Ming Dynasty) and so-called Popular Opinion. However, this enclave is also infamous for the student revolts occurred in 1989 in which hundreds of university students protesting against the Communist regime? Some historians put the figure at 3,000 people Lost their lives as a result of the brutal repression ordered by the Government.

Ming and Qing Tombs
The burial site, which is part of World Heritage since 2003, is located about 50 km from Beijing. The complex, whose construction was developed between 1409 and 1609, houses the tombs of 13 emperors from the two last dynasty (the Ming and Qing), not forgetting those of 23 empresses, consorts, concubines and courtiers. At present, however, almost the whole place is closed to the public and can only be visited in the wake of Yongle. One of its main attractions is called the Sacred Way, flanked by 36 sculptures representing human figures, animals and mythological creatures. In 2003, UNESCO included the complex in the list of World Heritage.

Yonghegong (Lama Temple)
Located north of Beijing and built in 1694, this building houses the largest Buddhist shrine in China. Within the sanctuary, the Pavilion of Infinite Happiness keeps an image of Buddha carved 28 m in the trunk of a tree, making it the largest of its kind. This is attested by the Guinness Book.