In late August, I had a family trip to beijing. We traveled in a relaxed rhythm without rushing, which helped us release daily pressure and enjoy quality family time.

We arrived at Beijing on Aug 26th noon by high speed train. After a short rest in hotel, we started our trip with Beijing Olympic Museum. 

Beijing Olympic Museum shows the development of Beijing Olympic Games and wonderful moments of Beijing’s 2008 Summer Olympics and 2022 Winter Olympics. It is free to enter with ID card or passport, which is very convenient for visitors. Inside, we visited Torch & Medal Gallery, Athlets Achievenments Gallery and Double-Olympic exhibition Hall. We saw Olympic torches : “Xiangyun” and “Feiyang”, classic golden-jade medals,  athletes’ uniforms, equipment and certificates. It was inspiring to see these precious displays in person and learn about the stories behind each Olympic event.

The museum also offers interactive sports experiences. Visitors can personally experience the charm of competitive sports, making the tour far from boring.

Getting out from the musem, we came to the Olympic square. Here you can find the famous Bird’s Nest and Water Cube. Thanks to the successful hosting of the Beijing Double Olympic Games, these two buildings have become worldfamous landmarks, witnessing the glory of Beijing as the world’s first “Double Olympic City”. 

On Aug 27th, we visited Beijing Zoo, China’s oldest public zoo with over 100 year’s history. Late August still brought warm weather, but lush trees throughout the park provided ample shade, creating a pleasant visiting environment. Our favorite part was the giant panda house. We watched pandas eating bamboo, sleeping and wandering around slowly. 

We also visited the monkey hill, wolf yard, waterfowl lake, lion and tiger area, and bear mountain. We saw lively monkeys, elegant swans and many other animals.  The zoo covers a very large area, families with kids can easily spend a full day here.

On August 28, we set off late because of light rain; we visited the Temple of Heaven, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built in the Ming Dynasty, this grand complex served as an imperial altar, where emperors held sacred rituals to pray for bumper harvests for the whole country. 

There are many ancient cypresses in the park, some over 600 years old,which creats a quiet, solemn atmosphere. The Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests is the most eyecatching landmark, famous for its striking triplelayered blueglazed roof that symbolizes the sky in traditional Chinese culture.

We also visited the Echo Wall and the Circular Mound Altar. We tried out the echo effect of the Echo Wall, and it was great fun. This special acoustic feature shows the remarkable craftsmanship of ancient builders. 

Strolling along the treelined paths in the soft drizzle was quite pleasant. Beyond its amazing buildings, the Temple of Heaven also reflects ancient Chinese ideas about the harmony between heaven and human beings. Our slow walk through the site gave us a better understanding of traditional Chinese ritual culture.

On Aug 29th, we visited Mutianyu Great Wall, which turned out to be the most unforgettable part of this trip. Unlike other crowded sections, Mutianyu boasts lush green landscapes and fewer tourists, creating a relaxed and pleasant visiting experience. The grand Great Wall winds continuously along rugged mountain ridges, featuring weathered ancient ramparts and orderly watchtowers.

We climbed from Watchtower 14 to Watchtower 20, the classic and most representative route of Mutianyu. Some sections have steep steps, making the climb physically demanding. However, the panoramic mountain scenery along the way was breathtaking and totally worthwhile. Standing on the ancient wall, I deeply sensed the immense hardships ancient laborers endured to construct this magnificent giant project. 

Our Beijing trip concluded on the morning of August 30 at Jingshan Park, a royal garden on Beijing’s central axis. We walked slowly upward and reached Wanchun Pavilion at the hilltop. Standing there, we enjoyed a perfect overlook of the entire Forbidden City, with its iconic red walls and golden glazed roofs.

The grand ancient architectural complex blends harmoniously with the modern city skyline in the distance, fully presenting the integration of Beijing’s profound history and thriving modern development.

We not only admired the breathtaking sights, but also enjoyed Beijing’s distinctive local delicacies, including copperpot mutton hot pot, Peking duck, shredded pork in sweet bean sauce, and traditional soybeanpaste noodles, etc. Every bite brought us authentic local flavours that enriched our travel experience. 

Overall, our family trip was pleasant and rewarding. We gained wonderful memories and a deeper understanding of this ancient yet modern city.

Yours Truly

Penney Shi - Charmission Travel