Things to do in Beijing

The Great Wall

You can book an organised tour to the Great Wall, built from the 5th to the 16th centuries to protect China from attack, and learn more as you explore this fantastic, ancient border fortification. Some of the sections of the wall close to Beijing have been renovated to a high standard. It's best to avoid visiting the Great Wall at weekends or on public holidays, so time your arrival for a weekday and immerse yourself in the history of this marvelous country.

Shopping Centres to Visit

China has a wide variety of thriving shopping centres and international visitor shopping areas well worth visiting, if you enjoy taking time out for retail therapy. Some of the best include:

• The Malls at Oriental Plaza are in central Beijing and provide seven distinct shopping centres within one outlet. You can easily spend all day shopping at this exclusive centre, where you'll also discover a wide range of bistros and restaurants to suit your needs. Arrange a day tour to take utmost advantage of your shopping trip to The Malls at Oriental Plaza.
• The top department store to browse around during your trip is the Shin Kong Palace, even if you choose not to spend your hard-earned money, you'll see just what the wealthy choose to buy in this major shopping emporium featuring over 900 product lines. The store is situated on Subway Line 1, close to the Dawanglu subway station.
• The Yintai Centre is another must-see shopping centre, situated within the Central Business District. Top brands including Giorgio Armani and Hermes are some of the flagship designer stores within the centre and China's top stores are also well represented in this modern outlet situated and linked by the Hyatt penthouses and hotel tower blocks.

Beijing Hutong Tours

You can tour the hutong areas of the city by hiring a rickshaw or walking. You will be absolutely fascinated by the array of courtyard houses dotted along each hutong you visit. If you want to catch a glimpse of authentic Chinese life then a hutong tour is essential on your holiday to this vibrant city, giving you a look into the old style of Chinese buildings and the way in which traditional Chinese families still live today.