CCTV Headquarters

Introduction

The CCTV Tower is situated on East Third Ring Road, Guanghua Road in the Beijing Central Business District (CBD). The tower serves as headquarters for China Media Group (CMG). This 44-story skyscraper displays a queer and unique shape and has been nicknamed “the pants” and occupies an area of 550,000 square meters. The building was designed by Dutch architect Rem Koolhas and is among other provoking building designs such as the Beijing National Stadium “Bird’s Nest”, the Beijing National Aquatics Center “Water Cube” and the National Centre for Performing Arts “Giant Egg” which shouldn’t be missed either and are best visited at dusk when they are colorfully illuminated.

The construction project of the building commenced in March 2003 after a review of the design of the building by a panel of Chinese experts because the ground breaking design was in contravention to the city’s existing building codes. So construction began in September 2004 and it was under the Chinese Government because it was aiming to redevelop central Beijing with innovative and functional architecture while preserving historic buildings at the same time. The CCTV tower has over time changed the architectural image of Beijing city after it was completed right in time for the 2008 Beijing Olympics since CCTV was the official broadcaster of the televised events. It mainly consists of the Main Building, the TV Cultural Center and other auxiliary comprehensive facilities.

Things to see and do on a visit

Outside pictures

Visitors can take outside photos from the nearby Rosewood Beijing and the terrace bars of China World Mall. Visitors can also take the elevator direct from the basement of the building to the 37th floor which is 100 meters high to get a birds-eye view of the CBD through a tough glass floor.

Structure

The building has a unique and stylish L shape structure that stands at 234 meters high with 54 floors. Two "L" shaped high rise towers are linked at the top and the bottom at an angle to form a loop that has been characterized as a "Z" crisscross. In addition, the inside structure of the building can be seen.

5-star hotel

Although the hotel has not yet been completed but it will have around 300 rooms, a lobby, restaurants, swimming pool and shops.

Houhai Lake

Introduction

Houhai is a large artificial lake in northern downtown Beijing located 4 kilometers north of the Forbidden City that derives its name from a Chinese name meaning back sea. The lake belonged to the royal family during the Yuan Dynasty and the surrounding area has always been a successful commercial site with workshops, opera stages and shopping centers. It is now open to the public.

The lake covers an area of 87 acres and to the front side, it is bordered by Qianhai (Front Sea) and to the west by Xihai (West Sea). It was perceived according to Daoism that the waters of the lake are connected to the “dragon vein” which is an integral and invisible artery that can maintain tranquility, prosperity and peace. So many monks set up temples in the area, nobbles and other government officials also built their gardens and vacation mansions and around the lake area,

Things to see and do on a visit

Sightsee

This lake has the most scenic area surrounded by willow trees and Hutongs. Visitors can stroll or take a rickshaw to explore the sights and sounds of the area that is laid back and has a completely relaxing atmosphere. The Hutongs are lined at the back streets and have a variety of stores that give shoppers to experience the cultural alleyways as they search for unique souvenirs, jewelry and antiques.

Taste local snacks and cuisine

Houhai is home to many restaurants, cafés and teahouses where visitors can savor local cuisine and snacks in the lakeside dwellings dotted in the hutongs. There are delicious tasty roasted duck, mutton and chicken meals prepared exquisitely in a mix of authentic southern China dishes. In addition, there are many tasty snacks such as Rice Cake, Sesame Seed Cake and Pea Flour Cake

Nightlife

The Hutongs bordering Houhai are renowned for its active nightlife since the early 2000s. Many residences along the lakeshore were converted to bars, restaurants and cafes. It is a hit amongst foreign tourists, expatriates and young hip locals who gather here to unwind and interact after a long day of work. Houhai become popular in 2003 after the modern establishments on the Lotus Lane with the bar street

Boat riding and skiing

There are boat rides on the lake except during winter when the lake becomes frozen and people can ski and skate. The most popular of the wintry skate is the loved chair-skate.

Former Residences

The Hutongs neighboring the lakeside were homes of several famous Chinese officials and are worth visiting such as court officials and celebrities such as Sun Yat-sen's wife, Soong Ching-ling, the famous poet Guo Moruo, Prince Chun and Prince Gong.

Jingshan Park

Introduction

Jingshan Park is a beautiful royal garden located across the street from the north gate of the Forbidden City. It covers an area of 57 acres and the park served as a private imperial garden for nearly 700 years and is now open for the public from where you get a bird’s eye view over the Forbidden City and central Beijing City in general. The park is located on Jingshan Hill, originally called Wansui Hill, Meishan Hill and Zhen Hill. The mid summit of the hill is the highest point in Beijing.

During the Ming dynasty (1368-1644) an artificial hill with five peaks was created using the moat excavated from the Imperial Palace. Pavilions were then erected on each peak and five bronze Buddhas were given pride of place in them. Four of the statues were removed by Allied Expeditionary Force troops when they came to Beijing. During the Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties the park served as an imperial garden and was properly laid out under the Ming Dynasty. Trees with fruits were planted, pavilions were built and palaces were also set up attracting royal families to relax and have fun in the park. In 1928, it was opened to the public and after 1949, it was face-lifted including paved paths. It is currently one of the 'AAAA' Scenery spots in China and a must-see for tourists in Beijing.

Besides the park has beautiful scenery, but it has a dark past on the eastern side where two stone slabs are located in front of a locust tree. This spot is where the last of the Ming emperors, Chongzhen, and his faithful servant hanged themselves as rebels swarmed at the city walls. Word has it that people had earlier seen a dragon rising into the sky believing that the soul of the emperor had risen to heaven.

Things to see and do on a visit

Qiwang Pavilion

Qiwang Pavilion was originally the place for emperors to worship the memorial tablet of Confucius. Visitors can see the Pavilion surrounded by green cypresses, white marble balustrades and a two-storied pavilion with its golden glazed.

Wanchun Pavilion

Also known as the Ten Thousand Spring Pavilion, Wanchun Pavilion is in the middle of the five summits. It is located at the hill's central point location and is a perfect place to have a bird’s eye view of the city including the dignified Bell and Drum Towers in the north, the magnificent and resplendent Forbidden City in the south and the Beihai Park and Miaoying Temple in the west.

Shouhuang Hall

Located on the northern side of the Jingshan hill is the Shouhuang Hall also known as the Hall of Imperial Longevity that was initially where emperors in the Qing dynasty used to pay homage to their ancestors and some of the emperors' portraits were worshiped there. Towards the east side of Shouhuang Hall is Yongsi Hall; the resting place for the dead bodies of the past emperors and queens.

Scenery

Jingshan Park is home to a charming natural scenery of 1,300 square yards. It has the biggest peony rose garden bearing 200 different peony species in Beijing and they bloom up to 20,000 roses presenting then the most colorful scene in May every year.

Locals 

Local people especially elderly ones can be seen relaxing and practicing their morning tai chi while others dance to the most soothing music.

Introduction

Tiananmen Square is also known as the gate of heavenly peace and is located in the center of Beijing, at Changan avenue. Tiananmen Square is named after Tiananmen Gate which is the entrance to the Forbidden City. The Square was originally built in 1651 and was later enlarged by four times when it was cemented with concrete in 1958.

It is enclosed by two imperial gates in the north and south with the north side being the Gate of Heavenly Peace also known as the Tiananmen Gate and the Front Gate towards the south known as Qianmen Gate.

As you approach Tian'anmen there is a Golden Water Bridge, a pair of columns made from white marble sculptured with lion and dragon designs that is not only for decoration but also the expect for the emperor.

Things and activities to do on a visit   

Chairman Mao Zedong Memorial Hall   

Located on the southern side of Tiananmen Square, this hall is divided into three parts and in one of the halls is the place where peple admire Chairman Mao at his crystal coffin surrounded by fresh flower bouquets. People offer respect to the greatest founder of the modern nation of China.

The Great Hall of the People  

Situated on the west of Tiananmen Square is where the Great Hall of the People is located. This building was constructed in 1959 and is the site where congress meetings and diplomatic activities take place. Twelve marble posts are in front of the hall which has three parts the Central Hall, the Great Auditorium and a Banqueting Hall. The floor of the Central Hall is paved with marble and crystal lamps hang from the ceiling.

Monument to the People's Heroes   

At the center of Tiananmen Square is a granite and marble monument that weighs over 10,000 tonnes that is known as the Monument to the People's Heroes built in 1952 and is one of the largest monuments in China's history. On the monument, Chairman Mao engraved “Eternal glory to the People's Heroes”, and visitors can testify the gradual development of Chinese modern history. It serves as a memorial to heroes who lost their lives in the revolutionary struggle and conflicts of the early 19th and 20th centuries from the First Opium War to the Civil War.

Tiananmen Tower  

Built in 1417 during the Ming Dynasty at the north end of the Square, this tower has been built and rebuild through the course of time until 1661 during the reign of Emperor Shunzi when it was remodeled, rebuilt and named the Tiananmen Tower. It measures 38 meters in height and 66 meters in length and has five arched gates, only royalty was allowed to enter from the middle gate. Today the tower is widely recognized by the Chairman Mao portrait which hangs above the archway gates.

China National Museum

The China National Museum location is right in front of the Great Hall of the People and was constructed in the year 2003 with a set up of a mix of Chinese History Museum and Chinese Revolutionary Museum. It occupies close to 200,000 square meters in exhibition space and is the third largest museum in the world with over a million priceless relics dating back to 1.7 million years. The museum is home to cultural relics, material objects, books, pictures and models to present the growth of China through its long history and rich culture of China. Get into concise Chinese General History, and visit remains of the prehistoric Yuanmou Man.

Flag Raising and lowering Ceremony  

This is one of the focal points in the Tiananmen Square attractions flying high in the sky above Tiananmen Square. A seven-ton flagpole that is renowned for the raising ceremony takes place very early in the morning and lowering takes place in the evening and many tourists both from home and abroad look forward to seeing the guard of honor raise the flag and change guard. The reviewing stands flanks were opened on the west and the east sides to watch the ceremony. The flag is affixed and raised in time to the rising sun and the lowering is at dusk over an approximate two minutes and seven seconds after which the national anthem plays afterwards.

Statues

Situated at the back of the Monument of the People’s Heroes there are a couple of statues that pay tribute to workers, soldiers and just normal people who took part in China’s revolutions; the eastern statue represents the New Democratic Revolution period and the western side statues pay homage to those who contributed to the construction of chairman Mao’s leadership structure.

Magnificent Flower Beds

Tiananmen Square is home to the most extraordinary and ever-changing colorful floral displays according to seasons and it gets into its peak during special occasions and national holidays.