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Best Things to Do
Top 50 Best Things to Do near Gaoyang [2025]
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The Palace Museum
4.8
/5
187096 reviews
10
From DKK 54.6
Based on 14,259 reviews
Tian'anmen Square and Wangfujing Area | >100 km from downtown
Phone +864009501925
Address: No. 4, Jingshanqian Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing
Recommended sightseeing time: 0.5–1 day
Highlights:
Admire the flowers and plants in the Imperial Garden in Forbidden City
World Heritage Site
Saved by 15200 users115513 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
Although it was very cold in Beijing today, Director Deng's explanations were warm and engaging. His explanations were clear, easy to understand, and highly interactive. Three hours passed in the blink of an eye. It was a wonderful travel experience – highly recommended!
Tour guide Jiaojiao provided very detailed explanations and arranged the itinerary very reasonably. It just so happened that the temperature in Beijing dropped, and she worked very diligently and responsibly in the cold wind of minus 7 degrees Celsius. Thank you very much!
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Universal Beijing Resort
4.6
/5
54902 reviews
10
From DKK 347.59
Based on 70 reviews
Universal Beijing Resort and Sorrounding | >100 km from downtown
Phone +864000688688
Address: Universal Beijing Resort, Tongzhou District, Beijing
Recommended sightseeing time: 1–2 days
Highlights:
Summer Water Party
The world's fifth Universal Studios theme park
Saved by 13485 users49603 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
I went on Sunday and it was quite crowded, since it was Halloween-themed, so the queues for the rides were quite long. The most popular ride was Harry Potter. It seems more suitable for university students.
I really liked the IPs!! But these IPs weren't as cute or interactive as those in the park next door, and the closing time was too early—8 PM! I didn't get to play enough.
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Badaling Great Wall
4.7
/5
55558 reviews
10
From DKK 31.85
Based on 11,099 reviews
Badaling Great Wall/Badaling Wildlife Park | >100 km from downtown
Phone +864008180088
Address: Exit 58 of G6 Beijing-Lhasa Expressway, Yanqing District, Beijing
Recommended sightseeing time: 3–4 hours
Highlights:
Take a cable car to enjoy the fall scenery of The Great Wall
World Heritage Site
Saved by 9859 users39401 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
"He who has not climbed the Great Wall is not a true man," goes the saying. It's a great patriotic education destination for families, especially during the crisp autumn season. Transportation is convenient, and facilities are comprehensive. For families with children, I recommend taking the cable car and then walking to the watchtower.
Badaling great wall has an easy transportation route for solo backpacker. The sunset view really nice.
No.
4
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Yungang Grottoes
4.8
/5
31537 reviews
8.9
From DKK 9.1
Based on 996 reviews
>100 km from downtown
Phone +8603527992666
Address: No. 1, Yungang Town, Yungang District, Datong City, Shanxi Province
Recommended sightseeing time: 3–4 hours
Highlights:
Stroll through the grottoes and explore Forty Caves
59,000+ stone sculptures inside caves
Saved by 845 users24608 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
The grottoes are a magnificent collection of sculptures, quite different from those in Dunhuang, Longmen, and Maijishan. There are a few unique hidden gems that require careful listening to the explanations to find. I visited them twice, and it would take a whole day to see them all!
The Yungang Grottoes, formerly known as the Wuzhou Mountain Grottoes Temple, are a World Cultural Heritage site and a national 5A-level scenic area. Located on the southern slope of Wuzhou (Zhou) Mountain, about 16 kilometers west of Datong City, Shanxi Province, the grottoes cover an area of over 18,000 square meters. Carved during the Northern Wei Dynasty's establishment of its capital in Pingcheng, they are one of my country's three major grottoes. In March 1961, they were designated as one of the first batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units by the State Council. In December 2001, they were approved by UNESCO to be included in the World Cultural Heritage List. In May 2007, they became one of the first batch of national 5A-level tourist attractions.
No.
5
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Mount Taishan
4.7
/5
38150 reviews
8.8
From DKK 104.65
Based on 1,700 reviews
Jade Emperor Peak/Mount Tai Peak Area | >100 km from downtown
Phone +86053896008888
Address: Taishan District, Tai'an City
Recommended sightseeing time: 1–2 days
Highlights:
Admire the beautiful flowers and foliage of Mount Tai
Climb to the summit for the sea of clouds and sunrise
Saved by 369 users23798 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
I loved it! It was incredibly thrilling. The 200 yuan was definitely worth it for going up the mountain; it really saved me a lot of energy going up. It's for the brave! I highly recommend taking the cable car halfway up and then taking the bus down the other half.
After a three-and-a-half-hour climb, we reached the summit of Mount Tai. As the sunset shone like gold and the sunrise pierced through the clouds, all our fatigue vanished instantly. It turns out that the most beautiful scenery and the most precious things are the same—not in others' descriptions, but only in the moment of personally arriving.
No.
6
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Prince Kung's Palace Museum
4.7
/5
31896 reviews
8.8
From DKK 36.4
Based on 430 reviews
Houhai Area | >100 km from downtown
Phone +8601083288149
Address: No.14, Liuyin Street, Xicheng District, Beijing
Recommended sightseeing time: 2–4 hours
Highlights:
Ginkgo trees and ancient buildings create an autumn scene
Over 30 different architectural complexes
Saved by 4298 users23986 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
The scholar said that Jiang Shangyi's explanation of Prince Gong's Mansion made it clear that the mansion witnessed the Qing Dynasty's rise and fall, hence the saying, "One Prince Gong's Mansion, half the history of the Qing Dynasty." Jiang's explanation was captivating. Highly recommended!
some famous photo taking areas are not marking clear l,e.g. mutanyuan(the place of shooting of princess huanzhu) and got many tour guide around the main gate and inside the museum. it is bad experience of visiting if following the tour guide at their back
No.
7
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Baotu Spring
4.6
/5
51748 reviews
8.6
From DKK 36.4
Based on 889 reviews
Quancheng Plaza Commercial Area | >100 km from downtown
Phone +86053186920900
Address: No. 1 Baotu Spring South Road, Lixia District, Jinan City
Recommended sightseeing time: 1–2 hours
Highlights:
Showcasing the life of the Song Dynasty female poet, Li Qingzhao
Saved by 319 users39786 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
A very beautiful garden, worth visiting multiple times. Baotu Spring is spectacular, and the Li Qingzhao Memorial Hall and Li Kuchan Memorial Hall are also worth visiting. What's most impressive is how incredibly clear the water is!
The 40 yuan entrance fee to Baotu Spring is incredibly worthwhile! The "Number One Spring Under Heaven," with its three gushing springs, is spectacular. The park is dotted with famous springs, elegant ancient buildings, and a rich cultural heritage. A visit is filled with beautiful scenery and surprises at every turn. It's excellent value for money; a small investment allows you to enjoy a 5A-level scenic spot, and the experience far exceeds your expectations – definitely worth every penny!
No.
8
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Temple of Heaven
4.7
/5
19484 reviews
8.5
From DKK 52.78
Qianmen, The Temple Of Heaven and Chongwenmen | >100 km from downtown
Phone +8601067028866
Address: No.1, Tiantan Road, Dongcheng District, Beijing
Recommended sightseeing time: 2–4 hours
Highlights:
Stroll on Ginkgo Avenue's Golden Carpet
World Heritage Site
Saved by 10408 users13550 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
1. Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests
Highlights: The iconic building of the Temple of Heaven, the site of imperial sacrifices during the Ming Dynasty. A three-story circular hall with blue tiles and a golden roof, its 28 golden pillars symbolize the four seasons, months, and hours. The Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests closes at 6 PM and can only be viewed from outside the palace walls.
The red wall behind the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests (vermilion door frame paired with a blue roof)
Fun Fact: The Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests has no horizontal beams; it is entirely supported by mortise and tenon joints, showcasing the wisdom of ancient architecture.
2. Echo Wall and Imperial Vault of Heaven
Echo Wall: The wall has a regular curve and a smooth surface. Two people whispering against the wall could transmit their voices (now fenced off, conversations at ground markers still work).
Three-Echo Stone: Speaking while standing on the stone slabs in front of the hall will produce 1-3 echoes, experiencing the wonder of acoustics.
How to Play: Stand at opposite ends of the wall with a companion to test the sound transmission effect, or count the fan-shaped stone slabs on the altar surface (all are multiples of 9, subtly alluding to the "supreme ruler").
3. Circular Mound Altar
Highlight: The core site of the emperor's sacrificial ceremony to Heaven. The central stone, where a shout is made, produces an extremely loud echo (anciently known as the "Sound Connecting Heaven").
Hidden Activity: At noon on the winter solstice, the sunlight precisely penetrates all the railings, showcasing ancient astronomical wisdom.
4. Danbi Bridge
Highlight: The "Sea-Paved Avenue" connecting the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests and the Circular Mound Altar, 360 meters long and 30 meters wide, symbolizing "heaven is high and earth is low."
5. Fasting Palace and Divine Music Bureau
Fasting Palace: The "mini Forbidden City" where the emperor resided before sacrificial rites. With red walls and green pines and cypresses, it is free to enter and offers beautiful scenery with few crowds.
Divine Music Bureau: The ancient venue for rehearsing sacrificial music, offering insights into ancient musical culture.
【Ancient Trees of the Temple of Heaven🌲】The Temple of Heaven is most famous for its ancient trees; these ancient trees are the soul of the entire garden! The most beautiful ancient tree, the "Nine Dragon Cypress," is 620 years old. There's a specific way to plant these ancient trees: the neatly arranged "ceremonial trees" on the inner side of the garden resemble a ceremonial guard, while the "sea trees" on the outer side are like ancient jade ornaments used to pay homage to heaven. These ancient trees witnessed the fall of the Ming Dynasty and the collapse of the Qing Dynasty… In the eyes of these ancient trees, we humans may seem like ants or fireworks. Ah, in the end, it's all about who lives the longest!
No.
9
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Summer Palace
4.7
/5
49014 reviews
8.5
From DKK 243.86
Based on 15,117 reviews
Zhongguancun Area | >100 km from downtown
Address: No. 19, Gongmeng Road, Haidian District, Beijing
Recommended sightseeing time: 0.5–1 day
Highlights:
Overlook autumn scenery from the Tower of Buddhist Incense(Summer Palace)
World Cultural Heritage
Saved by 9526 users27676 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
- The scenery is absolutely stunning: the shimmering waves of Kunming Lake paired with the pavilions of Longevity Hill, especially the Seventeen-Arch Bridge, is breathtakingly beautiful at sunset when the golden light shines through the arches. Every shot is a masterpiece of ancient Chinese style. 📸
- A tip for exploring: It's recommended to enter from the East Palace Gate (closer to the main attractions). Don't try to see everything at once! Focus on the Long Corridor, the Tower of Buddhist Incense, and the Marble Boat area, otherwise your legs will "protest."
- A small reminder: It gets really crowded on weekends. If you want to take some quiet photos, either go early or walk towards the West Causeway for a different kind of tranquil lake view.
- Summary: The grandeur of a royal garden combined with the delicacy of a Jiangnan garden makes even a casual stroll and a gentle breeze a truly relaxing experience. It's a must-see "healing" attraction in Beijing!
Today, let's talk about the Long Corridor in the Summer Palace, another iconic building in Beijing. Located between the southern foot of Longevity Hill and the northern bank of Kunming Lake, it was first built in 1750 during the reign of Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty. Destroyed by the Anglo-French allied forces in 1860, it was rebuilt in 1888. The corridor stretches from the Inviting Moon Gate in the east to the Stone Pavilion in the west, passing through the Cloud-Dispelling Gate in the middle, symbolizing the four seasons. It is 728 meters long, with 273 bays and 548 pillars. The Long Corridor is renowned for its exquisite architecture, winding paths, and richly decorated paintings, making it the longest corridor in ancient Chinese architecture and gardens. It is also a vibrant art gallery, with over 14,000 paintings adorning every beam, creating a magnificent and colorful spectacle. The paintings primarily depict landscapes, flowers and birds, and scenes from the four great classical Chinese novels. The artists have condensed thousands of years of Chinese history and culture onto this long corridor.
When you arrive at this place, you can see many people taking a break, looking at the water scenery of Kunming Lake, looking directly at the island in the middle of the lake and the Seventeen-Arch Bridge, and looking up at the Tower of Buddhist Incense in the distance. This is a collection of independent landscapes. It is a typical example of Chinese culture as an "art gallery". You can never get enough of it. The whole content could be written into a good book.
No.
10
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Yingxian Wooden Pagoda
4.8
/5
16336 reviews
8.4
From DKK 43.68
Based on 182 reviews
>100 km from downtown
Phone +8603495088889
Address: Northwest corner of Yingxian city, Shuozhou city
Recommended sightseeing time: 1–2 hours
Highlights:
11-foot Buddha statue inside
Panoramic views of nature & history
Saved by 150 users15068 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
The Wooden Pagoda is easily accessible by direct bus from downtown Datong. It's a traditional wooden structure built with mortise and tenon joints without nails. Despite its tilted shape, it has stood for a thousand years. The five-story, six-eaved structure, along with its colorful sculptures and murals, tells ancient stories and is truly breathtaking. Although only one floor is currently open to the public, it still evokes a powerful sense of awe and wonder at China's ancient culture.
Today I want to recommend a truly stunning historical and cultural treasure – the Yingxian Wooden Pagoda! This ancient pagoda, with a history spanning over a thousand years, is not only a masterpiece of ancient Chinese architecture but also a shining pearl of World Heritage status. Promise me you'll see its beauty for yourself!
🌟【Product Introduction】 The Yingxian Wooden Pagoda, also known as the Sakyamuni Pagoda, is located in Yingxian County, Shuozhou City, Shanxi Province. It is the tallest and oldest existing pure wooden structure pavilion-style building in the world, and is considered one of the "Three Great Towers of the World," along with the Leaning Tower of Pisa and the Eiffel Tower!
🌈【Exterior Design】 The wooden pagoda boasts a majestic and imposing exterior. Its octagonal body has nine stories and stands 67.31 meters tall. Each story is exquisitely carved, exuding a simple yet elegant atmosphere. Upon closer inspection, you'll discover that every detail reveals the craftsmanship of the artisans, as if telling a story of a thousand years of history.
💪【Unveiling the Advantages】
1️⃣ Historical Value: Built in the second year of the Qingning era of the Liao Dynasty (1056 AD), the Yingxian Wooden Pagoda has stood for nearly a thousand years, witnessing the vicissitudes of history.
2️⃣ Architectural Miracle: The pagoda is constructed entirely of wood, without a single iron nail, relying entirely on mortise and tenon joints—a true testament to the wisdom of ancient architecture!
3️⃣ Cultural Heritage: The pagoda enshrines a precious Buddha tooth relic, making it a sacred site for Buddhist pilgrims and an important bridge for cultural exchange.
4️⃣ Tourist Destination: As a national 4A-level tourist attraction, the Yingxian Wooden Pagoda attracts countless domestic and international tourists, making it an excellent place to learn about ancient Chinese architecture and culture.
If you are interested in history and culture, or want to experience the charm of ancient architecture, then the Yingxian Wooden Pagoda is definitely your best choice! Embark on a spontaneous trip and let this ancient pagoda take you through time and space to appreciate the charm of history!
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