Beijing Hotels

Beijing is the capital of the People's Republic of China - situated in the northeast of the country. Formerly known as Peking, it is a city rich in culture as well as being a centre for international trade. The diverse skyline is an interesting mix of old and new, with ancient palaces rubbing shoulders with gleaming new tower blocks. It also serves as a good base from which to explore the iconic landmark of the Great Wall.

Beijing Aquarium
One of the most popular places for families, it is hailed as the largest inland aquarium in the world and is a great place to visit when the weather outside is not so good. The main draw is a huge 3 million-litre tank containing marine species from every ocean in the world. There are another 18 tanks in the aquarium featuring unique themes and marine life. The dolphin shows are especially popular with children and the daily shows are at 11:00 and 15:00. The shark tank also gets large crowds and visitors have the chance to dive along side them. There is also an Amazon rainforest area on-site.

Chinese New Year (Spring Festival)
This holiday is celebrated at either the end of January or the beginning of February and starts on the first day of the first moon, depending on the lunar calendar. Millions of Chinese migrate to Beijing for what is the biggest and most important event of the year. There are spectacular displays of colour and culture throughout the city with festivities lasting for 15 days.

Ancient Observatory
The Ancient Observatory is located at the southeast corner of Beijing's Jianguomen Bridge and was built in 1442, during the Ming Dynasty. Its history spans more than five hundred years, making it one of the most historically interesting observatories in the world. There are several well-preserved bronzed astronomical instruments on view, which date back to the time of the Qing Dynasty. The design of the instruments reflects both the influence of Oriental craftsmanship and European understanding of measurements and physics.

Beijing Capital International Airport is the most important aviation hub in the country and serves as the gateway to the capital of China. More than 41 million people pass through the airport every year and it currently has two terminals, with most domestic and international flights using the much larger Terminal 2. A complimentary shuttle bus connects the terminals. A new terminal was completed in time for the Olympic Games in 2008.

Banks: 09:00 to 17:00, Monday to Saturday
Post Offices: 08:00 to 18:00, Monday to Saturday
Department Stores and Shops: 10:00 to 22:00, daily, some close later
Museums: 09:00 to 18:00, Monday to Friday, some open on weekends
Business Offices: 09:00 to 17:00, Monday to Friday