Best classic places spots hotspots sites sights views photo locations to photograph for photography with maps tips ideas composition postcard photos cool beautiful pictures
Grand Prize in the National Self-Published Book Awards
Benjamin Franklin Award for Best First Book
Best Travel Guide, Benjamin Franklin Awards finalist
“Impressive in its presentation and abundance of material.”
— National Geographic Traveler
“PhotoSecrets books are an invaluable resource for photographers.”
— Nikon School of Photography
“One of the best travel photography books we’ve ever seen.”
— Minolta
“Guides you to the most visually distinctive places to explore with your camera.”
— Outdoor Photographer
“This could be one of the most needed travel books ever published!”
— San Francisco Bay Guardian
“The most useful travel guides for anyone with a camera.”
— Shutterbug’s Outdoor and Nature Photography
“Takes the guesswork out of shooting.”
— American Way (American Airlines magazine)
PhotoSecrets Beijing, first published January 26, 2018. This version output April 21, 2018.
Curated, coded and designed by Andrew Hudson. Copyright © Andrew Hudson for PhotoSecrets (Photo Tour Books, Inc.). Photos, text and maps copyrights are listed in the credits section.
“‘And what is the use of a book,’ thought Alice ‘without pictures or conversations?’”
— Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, Lewis Carroll
Thank you to the many talented photographers that generously made their photos available. Photos distributed by the following:
Text copyright of Wikipedia editors and contributors. Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike (CC BY-SA).
Map data from OpenStreetMap and its contributors. Open data licensed under the Open Data Commons Open Database License (ODbL).
Cover image by Chungking/Shutterstock.
Back cover image by .
All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored, or transmitted in any way without the prior written permission of both the copyright owner(s) and the publisher of this book.
The information provided within this book is for general informational purposes only. Some information may be inadvertently incorrect, or may be incorrect in the source material, or may have changed since publication, this includes GPS coordinates, addresses, location titles, descriptions, Web links, and photo credits. Use with caution; do not photograph from roads or other dangerous places or when trespassing, even if GPS coordinates and/or maps indicate so; beware of moving vehicles; obey laws. The publisher and author cannot accept responsibility for any consequences arising from the use of this book. There are no representations or warranties, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the information, products, services, images, or graphics contained in this book for any purpose. Any use of this information is at your own risk.
For corrections, please send an email.
A great travel photograph, like a great news photograph, requires you to be in the right place at the right time to capture that special moment. Professional photographers have a short-hand phrase for this: “F8 and be there.”
There are countless books that can help you with photographic technique, the “F8” portion of that equation. But until now, there’s been little help for the other, more critical portion of that equation, the “be there” part. To find the right spot, you had to expend lots of time and shoe leather to wander around, track down every potential viewpoint, and essentially re-invent the wheel.
In my career as a professional travel photographer, well over half my time on location is spent seeking out the good angles. Andrew Hudson’s PhotoSecrets does all that legwork for you, so you can spend your time photographing instead of wandering about. It’s like having a professional location scout in your camera bag. I wish I had one of these books for every city I photograph on assignment.
PhotoSecrets can help you capture the most beautiful sights with a minimum of hassle and a maximum of enjoyment. So grab your camera, find your favorite PhotoSecrets spots, and “be there!”
Bob Krist has photographed assignments for National Geographic, National Geographic Traveler, Travel/Holiday, Smithsonian, and Islands. He won “Travel photographer of the Year” from the Society of American Travel Writers in 1994, 2007, and 2008.
For National Geographic, Bob has led round-the-world tours and a traveling lecture series. His book In Tuscany with Frances Mayes spent a month on The New York Times’ bestseller list and his how-to book Spirit of Place was hailed by American Photographer magazine as “the best book about travel photography we’ve ever read.”
The parents of three sons, Bob and his wife live in New Hope, Pennsylvania.
Thank you for reading PhotoSecrets. As a fellow fan of travel and photography, I hope this guide will help you quickly find the most visually stunning places, and come home with equally stunning photographs.
PhotoSecrets is designed to show you all the best sights. Flick through, see the classic shots, and use them as a departure point for your own creations. Get ideas for composition and interesting viewpoints. See what piques your interest. Know what to shoot, where to stand, when to go, and why it’s interesting. Now you can spend less time researching and more time photographing.
The idea for PhotoSecrets came during a trip to Thailand, when I tried to find the exotic beach used in the James Bond movie The Man with the Golden Gun. None of the guidebooks I had showed a picture, so I thought a guidebook of postcard photos would be useful for us photographers. Twenty-plus years later, you have this guide. Thanks!
Now, start exploring — and take lots of photos!
Originally an engineer, Andrew Hudson started PhotoSecrets in 1995. His first book won the Benjamin Franklin Award for Best First Book and his second won the Grand Prize in the National Self-Published Book Awards.
Andrew has published 38 nationally-distributed photography books. He has photographed assignments for Macy’s, Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Men’s Health and Seventeen, and been a location scout for Nikon. His photos and articles have appeared in Alaska Airlines, National Geographic Traveler, Shutterbug Outdoor and Nature photography, Where, and Woman’s World.
Andrew has a degree in Computer Engineering from Manchester University and a certificate in copyright law from Harvard Law School. Born in Redditch, England, he lives with his wife, two kids, and two chocolate Labs, in San Diego, California.
At a Glance | |
|---|---|
| Name: | Beijing |
| GPS: | 39.91389, 116.39167 |
| Country: | China |
| Fame: | capital of China the world’s second most populous city proper |
| Established: | 1046 BC |
| Population: | 21.7 m Municipality (2015) 24.9 m metro (2015) |
| Time zone: | CST (UTC+8) |
| Website: | ebeijing.gov.cn |
Beijing, sometimes romanized as Peking, is the capital of the People’s Republic of China and one of the most populous cities in the world.
Photographer: Xiquinhosilva
Year: 2013.
Source: Flickr
License: CC-BY 2.
The Tiananmen, or Gate of Heavenly Peace, is a famous monument in Beijing, the capital of the People’s Republic of China.
| Addr: | Dongcheng, Beijing | Where: | 39.906298 116.391327 |
| What: | Monument | When: | Anytime |
| Look: | North ↑ | Far: | 120 m (380 feet) |
| AKA: | Tian’an Men, Gate of Heavenly Peace | Wik: |
Photographer: Zhiqiang
Year: 2012.
Source: Wikipedia
License: CC-BY-SA 3.
Photographer: Dennis Jarvis
Year: 2006.
Source: Wikipedia
License: CC-BY-SA 2.
Photographer: Kyla Duhamel
Year: 2017.
Source: Flickr
License: CC-BY 2.
Qianmen is the colloquial name for Zhengyangmen, a gate in Beijing’s historic city wall.
| Addr: | Dongcheng District, City Centre, Beijing, North China | Where: | 39.899167 116.391472 |
| What: | Gate | When: | Anytime |
| AKA: | Zhengyang Men | Wik: |
Photographer: Vyacheslav Argenberg
Year: 2010.
Source: Wikipedia
License: CC-BY 3.
Archery Tower was the forward gate of Zhengyangmen, and the two were connected by side walls to form a large barbican. The side gates were torn down in 1915 so Archery Tower now stands alone.
| Addr: | Where: | 39.898543 116.392304 | |
| What: | Gate | When: | Morning |
| Look: | Southwest ↙ | Far: | 70 m (230 feet) |
| AKA: | Qianmen, Arrow Tower, Jian Lou |
Photographer: Zhènbāng Wànguǎng
Year: 2008.
Source: Wikipedia
License: CC-BY-SA 3.
Photographer: Saad Akhtar
Year: 2004.
Source: Wikipedia
License: CC-BY 2.
Photographer: Jorge Láscar
Source: Flickr
License: CC-BY 2.
Photographer: Xiquinhosilva
Year: 2013.
Source: Flickr
License: CC-BY 2.
This revolutionary sculpture is one of a pair that flank the entrance to the Mausoleum of Mao Zedong.
| Addr: | Where: | 39.901983 116.391837 | |
| What: | Sculpture | When: | Anytime |
| Look: | North ↑ | Far: | 50 m (150 feet) |
Photographer: Steve46814
Year: 2005.
Source: Wikipedia
License: CC-BY-SA 3.
The Monument to the People’s Heroes is a ten-story obelisk that was erected as a national monument of the People’s Republic of China to the martyrs of revolutionary struggle during the 19th and 20th centuries.
| Addr: | Tiananmen Square, Beijing | Where: | 39.902015 116.391558 |
| What: | Obelisk | When: | Anytime |
| Look: | North ↑ | Far: | 130 m (410 feet) |
| Wik: |
Photographer: Xiquinhosilva
Year: 2013.
Source: Flickr
License: CC-BY 2.
Photographer: Tojan76
Year: 2012.
Source: Wikipedia
License: CC-BY-SA 3.
The Imperial Ancestral Temple, Ancestral Hall or Taimiao of Beijing, is a historic site in the heart of the city, just outside the Forbidden City.
| Addr: | Dongcheng, Beijing | Where: | 39.909426 116.394053 |
| What: | Historic site | When: | Anytime |
| AKA: | Ancestral Hall, Taimiao of Beijing, Working People’s Cultural Palace | Wik: |
Photographer: Chungking
Source: Shutterstock
License: Shutterstock standard license.
The Meridian Gate (Wu Men) is the southern and largest gate of the Forbidden City. Its five arches are approached by five marble bridges over the Golden Water canal.
| Addr: | Where: | 39.913419 116.392068 | |
| What: | Gate | When: | Morning |
| Look: | Southwest ↙ | Far: | 140 m (440 feet) |
| AKA: | Wu Men |
Photographer: Chungking
Source: Shutterstock
License: Shutterstock standard license.
A Chinese lion guards the Gate of Supreme Harmony.
| Addr: | Where: | 39.913662 116.391343 | |
| What: | Statue | When: | Morning |
| Look: | Northwest ↖ | Far: | 16 m (52 feet) |
Photographer: Spezz
Year: 2009.
Source: Flickr
License: CC-BY 2.
Photographer: Travis Wise
Source: Flickr
License: CC-BY 2.
The northeast corner turret and Tongzi Moat.
| Addr: | Where: | 39.92182 116.395791 | |
| When: | Morning | Look: | South-southwest ↓ |
| Far: | 100 m (340 feet) |
Photographer: Ray Devlin
Source: Flickr
License: CC-BY 2.
The Gate of Supreme Harmony.
| Addr: | Where: | 39.914213 116.390592 | |
| What: | Gate | When: | Morning |
| Look: | Southwest ↙ | Far: | 60 m (190 feet) |
Photographer: Tomoaki INABA
Source: Flickr
License: CC-BY-SA 2.
The decorated rotunda of a temple in the Imperial Garden.
| Addr: | Where: | 39.920084 116.390024 | |
| What: | Ceiling | When: | Anytime |
Photographer: Seebeer
Year: 2002.
Source: Wikipedia
License: Released by author into the public domain.
The Nine-Dragon Wall is a screen wall with reliefs of nine different Chinese dragons. Built in 1771, it is located in front of the Palace of Tranquil Longevity.
| Addr: | Where: | 39.915764 116.394203 | |
| What: | Wall | When: | Afternoon |
| Look: | Northeast ↗ | Far: | 28 m (92 feet) |
Photographer: Jakub Hałun
Year: 2009.
Source: Wikipedia
License: CC-BY-SA 4.
Photographer: Cory Denton
Year: 2016.
Source: Flickr
License: CC-BY 2.
A turtle guardian by the Palace of Heavenly Purity.
| Addr: | Forbidden City, Beijing | Where: | 39.918282 116.391129 |
| What: | Statue | When: | Morning |
| Look: | North ↑ | Far: | 19 m (62 feet) |
Photographer: Sean Pavone
Source: Shutterstock
License: Shutterstock standard license.
The Spiritual Valor Gate and Tongzi Moat, on the north side.
| Addr: | Where: | 39.921685 116.389482 | |
| What: | Gate | When: | Anytime |
| Look: | Southeast ↘ | Far: | 130 m (430 feet) |
Photographer: Sama093
Source: Flickr
License: CC-BY-NC 2.
Jingshan Park is a public park covering 23 hectares immediately north of the Forbidden City in Beijing, China.
| Addr: | Beijing, North China | Where: | 39.923448 116.390276 |
| What: | Park | When: | Anytime |
| Wik: |
Photographer: Hung Chung Chih
Source: Shutterstock
License: Shutterstock standard license.
The Temple of Heaven, literally the Altar of Heaven is a complex of religious buildings situated in the southeastern part of central Beijing.
| Addr: | Beijing, Beijing Municipality, North China | Where: | 39.881235 116.406723 |
| What: | Temple | When: | Morning |
| Look: | North ↑ | Far: | 110 m (350 feet) |
| AKA: | Tiantan Temple | Wik: |
Photographer: Robert Paul Van Beets
Source: Shutterstock
License: Shutterstock standard license.
Photographer: Philip Larson
Year: 2008.
Source: Wikipedia
License: CC-BY-SA 2.
Photographer: Daniel Case
Year: 2014.
Source: Wikipedia
License: CC-BY-SA 3.
Photographer: Charlie Fong
Year: 2009.
Source: Wikipedia
License: CC-BY-SA 4.
Yongdingmen was the former front gate of the outer section of Beijing’s old city wall.
| Addr: | Beijing, North China | Where: | 39.870898 116.392583 |
| What: | City gate | When: | Anytime |
| Wik: |
Photographer: Forgemind ArchiMedia
Source: Flickr
License: CC-BY 2.
Galaxy Soho is an office complex with continuous flowing lines connecting four oval-shaped buildings. By Zaha Hadid Architects, 2009-2012.
| Addr: | ChaoYangMen, Dongcheng Qu, Beijing | Where: | 39.921979 116.426631 |
| What: | Office building | When: | Afternoon |
| Look: | South-southeast ↓ | Far: | 100 m (320 feet) |
Photographer: Bjarke Liboriussen
Source: Flickr
License: CC-BY 2.
Photographer: Forgemind ArchiMedia
Source: Flickr
License: CC-BY 2.
Photographer: Rob Deutscher
Year: 2013.
Source: Flickr
License: CC-BY 2.
Photographer: Forgemind ArchiMedia
Source: Flickr
License: CC-BY 2.
Photographer: Forgemind ArchiMedia
Source: Flickr
License: CC-BY 2.
Photographer: Forgemind ArchiMedia
Source: Flickr
License: CC-BY 2.
Photographer: Walter Grassroot
Year: 2008.
Source: Wikipedia
License: CC-BY-SA 3.
The Temple of Confucius at Beijing is the second largest Confucian Temple in China, after the one in Confucius hometown of Qufu.
| Addr: | 15 Guozijian St, Dongcheng Qu, Beijing | Where: | 39.945043 116.408402 |
| What: | Temple | When: | Anytime |
| Wik: |
Photographer: Rob Deutscher
Year: 2007.
Source: Flickr
License: CC-BY 2.
MOMA Beijing is a complex of towers connected by skybridges.
| Addr: | 1 Xiangheyuan Rd, Dongcheng Qu, Beijing | Where: | 39.948964 116.431099 |
| What: | Building | When: | Afternoon |
| Look: | East-northeast → | Far: | 90 m (280 feet) |
| AKA: | Hotel MoMc, COCO MOMA |
Photographer: Jean-Pierre Dalbéra
Source: Flickr
License: CC-BY 2.
The Capital Museum is an art museum in Beijing, China.
| Addr: | Xicheng District, City Centre, Beijing, North China | Where: | 39.905374 116.336879 |
| What: | Museum | When: | Morning |
| Look: | Southwest ↙ | Far: | 70 m (230 feet) |
| Wik: |
Photographer: Yoshio Kohara
Year: 2011.
Source: Wikipedia
License: CC-BY 3.
Photographer: Eugene Lim
Year: 2013.
Source: Flickr
License: CC-BY 2.
The National Centre for the Performing Arts, and colloquially described as The Giant Egg, is an opera house in Beijing, People’s Republic of China.
| Addr: | 2 W Changan Ave, Xicheng Qu, Beijing | Where: | 39.902317 116.38356 |
| What: | Opera house | When: | Anytime |
| Look: | North ↑ | Far: | 110 m (370 feet) |
| AKA: | The Giant Egg | Wik: |
Photographer: Flickr Hui Lan
Year: 2007.
Source: Wikipedia
License: CC-BY 2.
Photographer: Willlee710
Year: 2014.
Source: Wikipedia
License: CC-BY-SA 4.
Photographer: Unusduotres
Year: 2015.
Source: Wikipedia
License: CC-BY-SA 4.
| Addr: | Where: | 39.904518 116.382648 | |
| When: | Anytime | Look: | East-southeast → |
| Far: | 430 m (1410 feet) |
Photographer: Babelstone
Year: 2013.
Source: Wikipedia
License: CC-BY-SA 3.
The Tianning Temple is located in the Guang’anmen district of Beijing, China.
| Addr: | Tianningsi Front St, Xicheng Qu, Beijing Shi, China, 100055 | Where: | 39.89488 116.345971 |
| What: | Pagoda | When: | Morning |
| Look: | North ↑ | Far: | 28 m (92 feet) |
| Wik: |
Photographer: Cory Denton
Year: 2016.
Source: Flickr
License: CC-BY 2.
The Beijing Zoo is a zoological park in Beijing, China.
| Addr: | Xicheng District, City Centre, Beijing, North China | Where: | 39.93861 116.33333 |
| What: | Zoo | When: | Anytime |
| Wik: |
Photographer: Robert Nyman
Year: 2004.
Source: Flickr
License: CC-BY 2.
Photographer: Fang Chen
Year: 2007.
Source: Wikipedia
License: CC-BY-SA 2.
| Addr: | Beijing, North China | Where: | 39.948556 116.373056 |
| What: | City gate | When: | Anytime |
| AKA: | Gate of Virtuous Triumph | Wik: |
Photographer: Vaiz Ha
Year: 2016.
Source: Flickr
License: CC-BY 2.
The Summer Palace is a vast ensemble of lakes, gardens and palaces in Beijing, China.
| Addr: | Beijing, Beijing Municipality, North China | Where: | 39.997437 116.26793 |
| What: | Palace | When: | Morning |
| Look: | North ↑ | Far: | 50 m (160 feet) |
| Wik: |
Photographer: Xiquinhosilva
Year: 2013.
Source: Flickr
License: CC-BY 2.
Photographer: Zhangzhe0101
Year: 2009.
Source: Wikipedia
License: CC-BY-SA 3.
| Addr: | Summer Palace, Beijing, North China | Where: | 39.997007 116.263638 |
| What: | Pavilion | When: | Anytime |
| AKA: | Boat of Purity and Ease | Wik: |
Photographer: Tojan76
Year: 2013.
Source: Wikipedia
License: CC-BY-SA 3.
The Garden of Harmonious Pleasures.
| Addr: | Summer Palace, Beijing, North China | Where: | 39.999315 116.2761 |
| What: | Garden | When: | Morning |
| Look: | Southwest ↙ | Far: | 70 m (240 feet) |
| AKA: | Xiequyuan |
Photographer: Tojan76
Year: 2012.
Source: Wikipedia
License: CC-BY-SA 3.
Standing atop the Longevity Hill, the Tower of Buddhist Incense is the highest building in the Summer Palace.
| Addr: | Summer Palace, Beijing, North China | Where: | 39.998994 116.273332 |
| What: | Pagoda | When: | Afternoon |
| Look: | South-southeast ↓ | Far: | 40 m (130 feet) |
Photographer: Lóránt Szabó
Source: Flickr
License: CC-BY-SA 2.
Photographer: Essycommonswiki
Year: 2006.
Source: Wikipedia
License: CC-BY-SA 1.
The Jade Belt Bridge, also known as the Camel’s Back Bridge, is an 18th-century pedestrian Moon bridge located on the grounds of the Summer Palace in Beijing, China.
| Addr: | Old Summer Palace, Beijing, North China | Where: | 39.992328 116.260521 |
| What: | Moon bridge | When: | Afternoon |
| Look: | East-southeast → | Far: | 50 m (180 feet) |
| Wik: |
Photographer: Netopyr-E
Year: 2007.
Source: Wikipedia
License: CC-BY-SA 3.
The Central Radio & TV Tower is a 405-metre-tall telecommunications- and observation tower in Beijing, China.
| Addr: | W 3rd Ring Rd Middle, Haidian Qu, Beijing | Where: | 39.91339 116.304059 |
| What: | Observation deck | When: | Morning |
| Look: | North-northwest ↑ | Far: | 0.59 km (0.36 miles) |
| Wik: |
Photographer: Netopyr-E
Year: 2007.
Source: Wikipedia
License: CC-BY-SA 3.
Photographer: Hao
Year: 2006.
Source: Wikipedia
License: CC-BY-SA 1.
The Fragrant Hills Pagoda of the Fragrant Hills in Beijing, China was built in 1780 during the reign of the Qianlong Emperor as part of the Grand Zongjing Monastery.
| Addr: | Xiang Shan Gong Yuan, Haidian Qu, Beijing | Where: | 39.9915428 116.1850967 |
| What: | Pagoda | When: | Morning |
| Look: | Northwest ↖ | Far: | 17 m (56 feet) |
| Wik: |
Photographer: Iqremix
Year: 2013.
Source: Wikipedia
License: CC-BY-SA 2.
The National Library of China or NLC in Beijing is the national library of the People’s Republic of China.
| Addr: | 33 Zhongguancun S St, ZiZhu Qiao, Haidian Qu, Beijing | Where: | 39.942928 116.323035 |
| What: | Library | When: | Anytime |
| Wik: |
Photographer: Bjorn
Year: 2005.
Source: Flickr
License: CC-BY-SA 2.
Photographer: Commandbot
Source: Wikipedia
License: CC-BY-SA 2.
The Pagoda of Cishou Temple, originally known as Yonganwanshou Pagoda, is a 16th-century stone and brick Chinese pagoda located in the Buddhist Cishou Temple of Balizhuang, a suburb of Beijing, China.
| Addr: | Ling Long Gong Yuan, Haidian Qu, Beijing | Where: | 39.927320 116.295247 |
| What: | Pagoda | When: | Afternoon |
| Look: | North ↑ | Far: | 90 m (290 feet) |
| Wik: |
Photographer: Bill Perry
Source: Shutterstock
License: Shutterstock standard license.
Moon Gate is located in Purple Bamboo Park, built around three major lakes formed in 1159.
| Addr: | Purple Bamboo Park, Beijing | Where: | 39.939667 116.31489 |
| What: | Bridge | When: | Afternoon |
| Look: | North ↑ | Far: | 40 m (110 feet) |
Photographer: Xiquinhosilva
Year: 2013.
Source: Flickr
License: CC-BY 2.
The CCTV Headquarters is a 234 m, 44-storey skyscraper on East Third Ring Road, Guanghua Road in the Beijing Central Business District.
| Addr: | 32 E 3rd Ring Rd Middle, GuoMao, Chaoyang Qu, Beijing | Where: | 39.9136583 116.4611788 |
| What: | Building | When: | Morning |
| Look: | West ← | Far: | 270 m (880 feet) |
| Wik: |
Photographer: Xiquinhosilva
Year: 2013.
Source: Flickr
License: CC-BY 2.
Photographer: Charlie Fong
Year: 2009.
Source: Wikipedia
License: CC-BY-SA 4.
The Beijing National Aquatics Center, also officially known as the National Aquatics Center, and colloquially known as the Water Cube, is an aquatics center that was built alongside Beijing National Stadium in the Olympic Green for the swimming competitions of the 2008 Summer Olympics.
| Addr: | 11 Tianchen E Rd, Chaoyang Qu, China | Where: | 39.989844 116.386156 |
| What: | Building | When: | Anytime |
| Wik: |
Photographer: Eastimages
Source: Shutterstock
License: Shutterstock standard license (editorial use only).
Beijing National Stadium, officially the National Stadium, also known as the Bird’s Nest, is a stadium in Beijing, China.
| Addr: | 1 National Stadium S Rd, Chaoyang Qu, Beijing | Where: | 39.991406 116.393001 |
| What: | Stadium | When: | Anytime |
| Look: | West ← | Far: | 230 m (750 feet) |
| AKA: | Bird’s Nest | Wik: |
Photographer: American_rugbier
Year: 2009.
Source: Flickr
License: CC-BY-SA 2.
The Ling Long Pagoda or Linglong Tower houses a part of the International Broadcast Center.
| Addr: | Chaoyang Qu, Beijing Shi | Where: | 39.9984349 116.3939365 |
| What: | Tower | When: | Afternoon |
| Look: | South ↓ | Far: | 130 m (410 feet) |
| AKA: | Linglong Pagoda, Olympic Park Tower | Wik: |
Photographer: Yu Lou
Year: 2016.
Source: Wikipedia
License: CC-BY-SA 4.
The Olympic Park Observation Tower is located on Kehui Road South, part of the Olympic Green in the Chaoyang District of Beijing, China.
| Addr: | Where: | 40.005729 116.387508 | |
| What: | Observation tower | When: | Afternoon |
| Look: | North-northeast ↑ | Far: | 90 m (300 feet) |
| Wik: |
Photographer: Lu Jinrong
Source: Shutterstock
License: Shutterstock standard license (editorial use only).
Wangjing SOHO is a complex of three curvilinear asymmetric skyscrapers in Wangjing, a suburb of Beijing, China between central Beijing and Beijing Capital International Airport.
| Addr: | WangJing, Chaoyang Qu, Beijing | Where: | 39.994284 116.473789 |
| What: | Skyscrapers | When: | Afternoon |
| Look: | North-northeast ↑ | Far: | 150 m (480 feet) |
| Wik: |
Photographer: Dennis Jarvis
Source: Flickr
License: CC-BY-SA 2.
Juyongguan or Juyong Pass is a mountain pass located in the Changping District of Beijing Municipality, over 50 kilometers from central Beijing.
| Addr: | Juyong Pass, Changping, Beijing | Where: | 40.287721 116.068722 |
| What: | Wall | When: | Anytime |
| AKA: | Juyongguan | Wik: |
Photographer: Babelstone
Year: 2011.
Source: Wikipedia
License: CC-BY-SA 3.
The Cloud Platform at Juyongguan is a mid-14th-century architectural feature situated in the Guangou Valley at the Juyongguan Pass of the Great Wall of China, in the Changping District of Beijing Municipality, about 60 kilometres northwest of central Beijing.
| Addr: | Changping District, Outer Suburbs, Beijing, North China | Where: | 40.289 116.068 |
| What: | Architectural feature | When: | Anytime |
| Wik: |
Photographer: Hans A Rosbach
Year: 2009.
Source: Wikipedia
License: CC-BY-SA 3.
| Addr: | Where: | 40.286407 116.063519 | |
| When: | Afternoon | Look: | East-northeast → |
| Far: | 70 m (210 feet) |
Photographer: Babelstone
Year: 2017.
Source: Wikipedia
License: CC-BY-SA 3.
Haotian Pagoda is a pavilion-style tower in the Fangshan District of Beijing.
| Addr: | Fangshan District, Outer Suburbs, Beijing, North China | Where: | 39.730996 116.148405 |
| What: | Pagoda | When: | Anytime |
| Wik: |
Photographer: Xiquinhosilva
Year: 2013.
Source: Flickr
License: CC-BY 2.
Zhoukoudian or Choukoutien is a cave system in Beijing, China.
| Addr: | Fangshan District, Outer Suburbs, Beijing, North China | Where: | 39.689878 115.931581 |
| What: | Cave system | When: | Anytime |
| AKA: | Zhoukoudian | Wik: |
Photographer: Mutt
Year: 2008.
Source: Wikipedia
License: CC-BY-SA 4.
Photographer: Me
Year: 2004.
Source: Wikipedia
License: CC-BY-SA 2.
Guyaju Ruins is a maze of over 100 stone rooms chiseled into cliff walls.
| Addr: | 010 County Rd, Yanqing Qu, Beijing | Where: | 40.462343 115.775930 |
| What: | Cave homes | When: | Morning |
| Look: | North-northwest ↑ | Far: | 50 m (150 feet) |
| AKA: | Guyaju Site, Guyaju cave homes |
Photographer: Samxli
Year: 2008.
Source: Wikipedia
License: CC-BY 2.
Badaling is the site of the most visited section of the Great Wall of China, approximately 50 miles northwest of urban Beijing city in Yanqing County, which is within the Beijing municipality.
| Addr: | Badaling, Yanqing, Beijing | Where: | 40.35417 116.00694 |
| What: | Wall | When: | Anytime |
| Wik: |
Photographer: Robysan
Year: 2021.
Source: Wikipedia
License: CC-BY-SA 3.
Photographer: Uwe Aranas
Year: 2009.
Source: Wikipedia
License: CC-BY-SA 3.
Photographer: Uwe Aranas
Year: 2009.
Source: Wikipedia
License: CC-BY-SA 3.
| Addr: | Badaling, Yanqing, Beijing | Where: | 40.3508 116.003619 |
| When: | Morning | Look: | West-southwest ← |
| Far: | 70 m (230 feet) |
Photographer: Keith Roper
Source: Flickr
License: CC-BY 2.
Photographer: Hermann Luyken
Year: 2014.
Source: Wikipedia
License: Released by author into the public domain.
Photographer: Mario Savoia
Source: Shutterstock
License: Shutterstock standard license.
Mutianyu is a section of the Great Wall of China located in Huairou County 70 km northeast of central Beijing.
| Addr: | Mutianyu, Huairou, Beijing | Where: | 40.4380167 116.5619000 |
| What: | Wall | When: | Anytime |
| AKA: | Great Wall of China | Wik: |
Photographer: Nicolas Perrault Iii
Year: 2006.
Source: Wikipedia
License: Released by author into the public domain.
Photographer: Jakub Halun
Year: 2009.
Source: Wikipedia
License: CC-BY-SA 4.
Simatai holds the access to Gubeikou, a strategic pass in the eastern part of the Great Wall.
| Addr: | Simatai, Miyun, Beijing | Where: | 40.6491667 117.4119000 |
| What: | Wall | When: | Anytime |
| AKA: | Shimatai | Wik: |
Photographer: Jakub Halun
Year: 2009.
Source: Wikipedia
License: CC-BY-SA 4.
Thank you to the many wonderful people and companies that made their work available to use in this guide.
Photo key: Tap the camera icon to see the photo. The two letters reference the distributor and license. Key for distributors: f:Flickr; s:Shutterstock; w:Wikipedia. Key for license: a:CC-BY-SA; b:CC-BY; h:Shutterstock standard; m:public domain.
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