Although Beijing has only been the capital of the People's Republic of China for nearly 60 years, it has a history of more than 3,000 years. Many important historical sites make the city a treasure trove for visitors and locals alike. Here we list some of the sites that are closely linked to the imperial life in old China.

The Forbidden City

Located in the heart of Beijing, the Forbidden City was home to 24 Chinese emperors during the Ming and Qing dynasties (1368-1911). Initially built in 1406 and finished in 1420, the Forbidden City, exemplifying Chinese imperial architecture, is the largest and one of the most magnificent royal palaces in the world. In 1987, it was included in the list of world cultural heritage sites by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). In addition it is listed by UNESCO as having the largest collection of preserved ancient wooden structures in the world. Besides the rooms and meeting halls where emperors lived and worked, the palace houses special museums for Chinese paintings, ancient pottery and other priceless treasures.

The Ming Tombs

The Ming Tombs, including the tombs of 13 Ming emperors, are located in northern Changping District, 50 km north of the city-a 40-minute drive. Set in a small beautifully landscaped basin, the tombs are surrounded by hills in east, west and north. Ancient fengshui masters (persons who make divinations) said that the position of this piece of land is very propitious, which is why it was chosen by the Ming emperors for their afterlife. Built between 1409 to 1644, the mausoleum covers an area of 40 square km, making it the largest group of imperial tombs and also the mausoleum housing the most tombs of emperors anywhere in China and the world.

The Summer Palace

Located in the western suburb of Beijing, the Summer Palace is the best classical garden in China and also one of the largest royal gardens in the world. First built in 1750, the garden, originally named Qingyi Yuan, was devastated by the British and French forces in 1860. It was then rebuilt and was changed to the current name Yihe Yuan, known by the Westerners as the Summer Palace. The park was mainly composed of a hill, named Wanshou Hill, and a lake, named Kunming Lake and was the place where the royal family of the time would escape the summer heat. The area of water accounts for three quarters of the garden. There are more than 3,000 ancient buildings inside the garden. The well-known Fo Xiang Ge (Imperial Residence of Buddha Fragrance) is the heart of the old buildings, which is located on the hill and faces water. The lake is spanned by a long bridge with 17 arches resembling a rainbow.

Yuanming Yuan Park

Also situated in the western suburb of Beijing, the Yuanming Yuan was built as an imperial park of the Qing Dynasty. Covering some 3.5 million square meters, the Yuanming Yuan includes three smaller gardens. The park represents all the features and characteristics of garden architecture and design art in old China. In the past, the royal park housed numerous treasures, which included valuable calligraphic and painting works, historical documents and artworks and jewelry. But, unfortunately, the park was mercilessly sacked by the British and French armies in 1860 and by the Eight-Power Allied Forces in 1900 respectively. Buildings in the park were destroyed by fire and priceless treasures were plundered. The beautiful royal park now lies in ruins. Today, visitors can still feel the tragic events of history in the remains of buildings left behind.

The Beihai Park

Located in the northwest of the Forbidden City, the Beihai Park was one of the largest imperial parks in China with a long history. It is said that the park is also an imperial garden that has the longest history in the world. Dating back to the 10th century, the park used to be the royal garden of five dynasties in China's history, which included the Liao, Jin, Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties. A small island, named Qionghua Island, sits in the center of the park's lake, which was the most attractive site there. A screen wall carved with nine Chinese dragons is located on the north bank of the lake, which is one of the three ancient nine-dragon screen walls in China. A special treat for those who wish to try imperial food, is the Fangshan Restaurant. The menu of the restaurant is made up of court dishes eaten by the royal families in the Qing Dynasty.

Temple of Heaven

Located in southeast Beijing, the Temple of Heaven covers an area of 2.7 million square meters and is the largest ancient building group for royal sacrificial ceremonies. A platform for emperors to perform solemn rites to pray to the Heaven for bumper harvests, the temple was initially completed in 1420 (the Ming Dynasty) and was later repaired and rebuilt in the Qing Dynasty. Affected by the ancient Chinese religious belief that the Heaven is round and the Earth is square, the buildings in the temple are constructed on a central axis, with the main buildings of the temple round and their bases square. Based on the same belief, the northern part of the park is in a semicircular shape and the southern part is a square. In the south of the temple complex are the Altar of Heaven and the well-known Echo Wall.

Ditan Park

Ditan, also named Fangze Tan (square water altar), is the second largest of the five ancient altars in Beijing. Constructed in 1530 during the Ming Dynasty, the altar was a solemn place for emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties to hold sacrificial ceremonies for praying to the God of the Earth for good harvest, auspicious weather and a stable nation. Located in north Beijing, the Ditan Park complements the Temple of Heaven in the south. It is also well-known for its colorful temple fair during the Spring Festival.

Ritan Park

Located in the dynamic CBD area in east Beijing, the Ritan Park, covering an area of 10,000 square meters, was used by emperors in the Ming and Qing dynasties to perform sacrificial ceremonies to the Sun. Completed in 1530, the park is one of the oldest parks in Beijing. Owning a square-shaped altar, the park is an oasis of tranquility in the bustling business area of the city.

Yuetan Park

The Yuanming Yuan was built as an imperial park of the Qing Dynasty. (Image: Beijing Review)West of the Forbidden City, the park is a site for imperial sacrifices to the Moon in the Ming and Qing dynasties. Built in 1530, the park covers an area of 8.1 hectares and is one of Beijing's well-known ancient gardens. In 2001, the Yuetan Park was listed as one of the cultural relics under the protection of the state. The park is divided into two sections of the north and the south respectively. The northern section features traditional Chinese architecture and straight paths, while the southern section is characterized by its pools, rockeries and zigzag alleys.