One of the most famous attractions is not even in the city itself, but about 60-125km (35-75 mi) outside it - the Great Wall. (The distance varies depending on the desired viewing location.)
To see one of the best preserved sections, visit Mutianyu. Though the wall was under construction for over 2,000 years, this 6th-century section was used as the northern barrier to defend the capital.
Not as old, but just as impressive a man-made achievement is the Imperial Palace, often referred to as the Forbidden City. So named because for centuries the common people were not allowed to freely enter. And sometimes wished they hadn't gone when invited!
More than 9,000 rooms spread over 250 acres, it was first built in the 15th century and later renovated during the Qing dynasty in the 18th.
To get an excellent high view of the city itself, take a trip to Jingshan Park, built in 1179 AD. It looks out over the Forbidden City and features spectacular views of Beijing and the surroundings.
Constructed near the same time, in 1420 AD, the Temple of Heaven covers 270 acres and is the largest religious building in China. Today, thanks to the relaxing of religious repression, visitors can see this magnificent work of architecture and envision the train of emperors who have used it over the centuries.
Beijing has much more than religious temples, however, in which to find a peaceful atmosphere. The park at Yiheyuan is a 290-acre retreat, where visitors can wander through pavilions and over bridges near the enormous lake. Sit a while and sip tea at one of the many tea-houses there or stroll along one of the many tree-lined paths.
Most will want to visit the now-infamous Tiananmen Square, the largest open square in the world. It can easily accommodate over one million people, provided they don't have to share space with tanks.
Be sure to take at least half a day and visit the equally famous Beijing Zoo. Home to nearly 600 species, the pandas may be the most well known, but they're far from the most exotic. The over 6,000 animals housed there are drawn from all over the country and many parts of the world.
Spring or Fall is probably the best time to visit - Beijing can be quite cold in the winter and summers are often uncomfortably hot. But anytime of year you visit, there will be sites and sights galore worth seeing.
The main shopping streets in Florence are wonderful. Major fashion houses have opened glitzy stores in the city. The city brims with clothes, shoes, leather goods, ceramics, stationery, wine and decorative goods. The city is not a city for bargain shopping, though. Most visitors interested in gold or silver jewellery head for the Ponte Vecchio and its tiny shops.
Florence is a determinedly young scene, it does not have a great deal of choice when it comes to live music. It is not exactly hopping at night, but there are some providers of music and modern beats, and a growing number of cocktail-soaked bars. The area surrounding Florence is famous for being the birthplace of Chianti, the most famous Tuscan wine. The nightlife is concentrated around Piazza della Signoria, home of more sedate venues.
Florence's major festivals include the Explosion of the Cart, when a cart full of fireworks is exploded in front of the Duomo on Easter Saturday.
The Uffizi Gallery is one of the largest museums in the world, It was built in the mid-sixteenth century, following a project by the architect Giorgio Vasari and still houses some of the most famous works of art by Italian and foreign painters from the 13th to 19th centuries, such as Caravaggio, Rubens, Rembrandt, Tiziano, Cimabue, Giotto, Masaccio, Tintoretto, Leonardo, Botticelli, Michelangelo, Piero della Francesca, Raffaello, Durer and Goya.
Ponte Vecchio is a splendid Bridge it is the oldest in Florence and the first construction already existed before the 11th century, but was destroyed by a flood of the Arno. The bridge was rebuilt in solid stone in 1345. Its banks are still full of goldsmiths, silversmiths and jewellers laboratories whose art has been passed down from generation to generation.
Piazzale Michelangelois known for its panoramic views of the Arno valley and Florence, this terrace is a popular spot with tourist and locals. It was created as part of major restructuring of the city walls. In 1871, Poggi designed a monument base dedicated to Michelangelo. The monument itself was composed of copies of Michelangelo's works, including David and the Medici chapel sculptures from San Lorenzo. When the terrace was finished, Poggi designed the hillside building.
Both John Riley & Douglas Scott are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
John Riley has sinced written about articles on various topics from Travel and Leisure. This article is brought to you by celestial-china.com. If you're looking for more information about feel free to visit our website.. John Riley's top article generates over 880 views. to your Favourites.