history

History in Beijing

Beijing layers its history across the cityscape in striking ways. The Beihai Park preserves the atmosphere of an imperial garden, while the Beijing Ancient Observatory has tracked celestial movements for centuries. The Beitang Cathedral and the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception Xianwumen reflect the city's long encounter with Western Christianity. The Chairman Mao Memorial Hall marks a defining moment of the People's Republic, and buildings such as Beijing West Railway Station, the Workers' Stadium, and the Capital Indoor Stadium each tell a chapter of twentieth-century transformation. Together these places trace Beijing from dynastic seat to modern capital.

51 places · Beijing, China · Editorially curated