The Great Wall was the greatest man-made military defense structure in ancient China. Its construction started during the Ancient Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period (770-221 B.C.) At that time, walls were built by warring states to protect their own territories. In 221 B.C., Qin Shihuang, who became the first emperor of a unified China, linked the separate walls into a ten-thousand-li wall to defend against invaders from the North. From then on, the Great Wall was continuously extended and repaired by following dynasties. Most of the Wall has deteriorated badly; at present, the best preserved is the wall built in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644).

Located at the foot of the Tianshou Mountain in Changping District, Beijing, the Ming Mausoleums, occupying an area of 120 square kilometers, are well preserved and is the largest imperial burial site in the world. Built in the seventh year of the Ming Emperor Yongle's reign (1409), Changling Tomb of Emperor Chengzu (Zhu Di) is the first one among the Ming Mausoleums. The other 11 mausoleums were built in the Ming Dynasty, including Xianling, Jingling, Yuling, Maoling, Tailing, Kanling, Yongling, Zhaoling, Dingling, Qingling and Deling are found alongside the Changling Tomb. At present, three mausoleums, Changling, Dingling and Zhaoling, and the Sacred Way are open to the public.

Built from 1406-1420 during the Ming Dynasty, the Imperial Palace, popularly known as the Forbidden City, was the permanent residence of the emperors of the Ming and Qing Dynasties (1368-1911). It covers over 720,000 square meters of floor space, with more than 8,700 rooms, surrounded by city walls as high as ten meters and a city moat as wide as 52 meters. The Imperial Palace is the largest and most complete ancient imperial complex in China. It embodies collectively ancient Chinese traditions and architectural art. In 1987, UNESCO proclaimed the Forbidden City a World Cultural Heritage Site.

At the Temple of Heaven, Emperors of the Ming and Qing Dynasties (1368-1911) worshiped Heaven and prayed for good harvests. Built first in 1420 during the Ming Emperor Yongle's reign, it was expanded and renovated during the Ming Emperor Jiajing's (1522-1566) and Qing Emperor Qianlong's (1736-1795) reigns. The Temple of Heaven, with its long history, deep cultural significance and magnificent architectural style, mirrors the ancient culture of China. A masterpiece of the Ming and Qing architectural art and a precious example of China's ancient architecture, the Temple of Heaven is the largest architectural group for worshipping Heaven in the world. In 1998, it was recognized by UNESCO as a human heritage of the world."

The Summer Palace landscape, dominated by Longevity Hill and Kunming Lake, covers an area of 2.9 square kilometers, three quarters of which is water surface. Its 70,000 square meters of building space features a variety of palaces, garden and other ancient-style architectural structures. The Summer Palace is a monument to classical Chinese architecture, in terms of both garden design and construction. Incorporating scenes from surrounding landscapes, it radiates not only the grandeur of an imperial garden but also the beauty of nature in a seamless combination. In 1998, UNESCO included the Summer Palace on its World Heritage List.

Beijing Olympic Park which covers 1,135-hectare, sits at the north end of the city. The National Aquatics Centre, also known as 'The Water Cube', is one of the most dramatic and exciting venues to host sporting events for the Beijing Olympics in 2008. It hosted swimming, diving, synchronized swimming and water-polo during the 2008 Summer Olympics and the 2008 Summer Paralympics.

The Beijing National Stadium, known colloquially as the "Bird's Nest" is the world's largest steel structure. Beijing National Stadium hosted the Opening and Closing Ceremonies, athletic events, and the football final of the 2008 Summer Olympics, and also hosted the Opening and Closing ceremonies and athletic events of the 2008 Summer Paralympics. Seven traditional Chinese courtyards are taking shape as construction on the Beijing Olympic Park's central sunken garden enters its final phase. The seven courtyards are located along the north-south central axis of Beijing and between the modern sports venues, and serve as condensed snapshots of traditional Chinese culture.

Hutongs are ancient city alleys unique to Beijing. Beijing has more than 4,550 Hutongs. Those surrounding the Forbidden City are best preserved. The buildings in Beijing hutongs are mainly compounds with houses around a courtyard, also known as quadrangles. Narrow passages between these quadrangles link one hutong with another. The hutong in Beijing was mainly formed in the Yuan (1279-1368), Ming and Qing dynasties. Tourists may have a tour of the 700-year-old hutongs in Beijing by tricycle.

Tian An Men (Gate of Heavenly Peace) was the main entrance to the Forbidden City during the Ming and Qing Dynasties. It is also honored as the "Gate of the Nation." As one of the largest city squares in the world, Tian An Men Square occupies an area of 440, 000 square meters—spacious enough to accommodate half a million people. On October 1st, 1949, Chairman Mao Ze Dong declared the founding of the People's Republic of China on the Tian An Men Rostrum, thus opening a new chapter in the history of China. In the new period of reforms and opening, Tian An Men, with its long history and rich culture, attracts people from all over the world.

Peking Opera has entertained Beijingers for over 200 years with its elaborate costumes, ear-splitting arias, dazzling martial arts and musical dialogue. They are usually based on folk tales, famous novels and fairy tales. The theater has a subtitle message board of English and Chinese.

The Chinese Acrobatic Troupes have traveled to many countries and have amazed audiences everywhere. To watch Chinese acrobatics is an experience at once fanciful and inspirational.

Beijing Night Show was the first of its kind to offer visitors to Beijing a rare opportunity to enjoy classical Chinese art performances and traditional Chinese cuisine. The show features a wide range of Chinese artistic performance, from traditional art and music to dancing, opera, acrobatics and traditional costume shows. There are also performances that illustrate the customs of China's many ethnic minorities.