Beijing is a busy, exciting city that offers travellers an interesting mix of modern and ancient elements together with plenty of spectacular sights.

Beijing, the capital of The People's Republic of China, is an immense, sprawling city which can leave visitors feeling overwhelmed. Taking the time to get to know the highlights and learn more about Chinese culture will help ease first time travellers to Beijing into the Chinese way of life.

Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City
Among the best known sights in Beijing are Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City. Tiananmen Square, scene of the 1989 protests by anti-communist protesters, is surrounded by some of the best known sights in Beijing. As well as being home to the Chairman Moa Memorial Hall where the embalmed remains of Chairman Moa are on display daily.

Bordering Tiananmen Square is the ancient and impressive Forbidden City. Constructed from 1406 to 1420, the Forbidden City was the imperial palace from the Ming dynasty (1368-1644) through to the Qing dynasty (1644-1912). Today 980 of the original buildings survive, many escaping unharmed during the Cultural Revolution.

Visiting Beijing's Hutongs
Beijing's ancient residential areas are called Hutongs. Small alleyways that lead into traditional homes of four buildings built around a central courtyard, these areas are being encroached upon by modern high-rise buildings. It's possible to arrange for a tour through a Hutong, either on foot, by rickshaw or bicycle.

Each Hutong has a name which may be associated with a particular trade that was carried on within the Hutong, or a product that was traded there. They were similar to small villages as each one had hawkers selling fresh produce, barbers and even tailors, meaning residents had very little reason to leave the comfort of their alleys. Today many guides will arrange for visitors to visit a home within the Hutong where you'll be offered a cup of tea and have the opportunity of seeing a different way of life.

The Bird's Nest
Beijing was the host city for the 2008 Olympic Games and today it is possible to visit the Bird's Nest, Beijing's Olympic stadium. While it has hosted very few events since the 2008 Olympic Games, it still draws a number of visitors each day. Entrance is around RMB50 per person. It is rumoured that the stadium will actually be turned into a shopping and entertainment complex in order to earn its keep.

The Great Wall of China
Travelling a short distance outside of Beijing will bring travellers to more unique Chinese sights. One of the world's most immense feats of engineering has to be the Great Wall of China. Totalling just over 8800kms, various sections of the wall and fortifications were built from the 5th century BC although the structure that remains today was built in the 1400s during the Ming dynasty.

The closest section of the wall to Beijing and also the most popular is the section at Badaling. Situated about 80km outside of urban Beijing, this section of the wall receives millions of visitors each year. It's possible to reach this section of the wall by taking a train from Beijing North Railway Station or by bus from Deshengmen.

For a less crowded experience of the wall, head to the Simatai section. This section is one of the best preserved sections of the Ming dynasty wall and is far quieter than Badaling. Here it is possible to walk up the steep sections of the wall between watchtowers taking in spectacular views of the valleys and hills surrounding the wall. Situated around 120km outside of Beijing, it's possible to reach this section by bus from Dongzhimen in Beijing.

The Summer Palace
Situated in North West Beijing is the beautiful Summer Palace, summer retreat of the imperial rulers. The Summer Palace complex contains palace buildings, temples, pagodas and Kunming Lake. It's a great place to spend some time outside the crushing chaos that can sometimes abound in Beijing. It's possible to get a public bus from Tiananmen Square, or jump into a taxi and spend a day relaxing in the relative calm of the palace grounds.

Beijing has plenty to offer travellers, from delicious and sometimes exotic food, to fascinating history and culture. Culture shock is not uncommon for first time visitors, but embracing the different experiences this city has to offer will leave one with many unforgettable and treasured memories.