Things to do in Beijing, China: The Best Observation Decks & Towers

July 24, 2021 Harland Bartelt

Welcome to a capital city whose story goes back at least 3000 years. In Beijing, you'll find a wealth of history, both ancient (the Hall of Preserving Harmony, Summer Palace, Forbidden City) and more recent (Chairman Mao Memorial Hall, Tiananmen Square). For the best market experience, choose the Dirt Market over the touristy Silk Market. A visit to the Great Wall, the longest manmade structure in the world, is absolutely essential.
Restaurants in Beijing

1. Shilingxia Scenic Area

No. 73, Diaowo Village, Huangsongyu town, Pinggu District, Beijing 101201 China +86 10 6098 7678 [email protected] http://www.jdslx.com
Excellent
40%
Good
46%
Satisfactory
12%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 67 reviews

Shilingxia Scenic Area

2. Beijing Tianning Tower

Outside Of Guangan Gate, Xicheng District Tianningsi Front Street, Beijing 100055 China
Excellent
53%
Good
47%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 17 reviews

Beijing Tianning Tower

3. Temple of the White Dagoba (Baita Si)

Fucheng Men Nei Dajie 171, Xicheng District Inside Beihai Park, Beijing 100034 China +86 10 6616 6099
Excellent
45%
Good
34%
Satisfactory
19%
Poor
0%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 47 reviews

Temple of the White Dagoba (Baita Si)

At 167 feet tall, this temple is the largest Tibetan dagoba (also called pagoda) in China, and displays artifacts unearthed from the site in a 1976 earthquake.

4. Ancient Observatory (Guguanxiangtai)

No.2 Dongbiaobei Hutong, Dongcheng District, Beijing 100005 China +86 10 6524 2202 http://www.bjp.org.cn/misc/node_4543.htm
Excellent
29%
Good
51%
Satisfactory
19%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 80 reviews

Ancient Observatory (Guguanxiangtai)

Eight huge astronomical instruments are displayed on an elevated platform at this observatory, which was used during the Ming and Qing dynasties, and is one of the oldest observatories in the world.

Reviewed By rgl201

This is a very unusual site, a change from the imperial architecture of the Forbidden City, the Summer Palace, etc., but with real historical importance. The astronomical instruments are fascinating and quite unique. There is a small relaxing garden and a small museum. A place to discover history far away from the crowds. There is a small entrance fee, but it is free if you are over 60.

5. Bell and Drum Towers

Di'anmen Wai Main Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing 100006 China
Excellent
28%
Good
46%
Satisfactory
22%
Poor
3%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 896 reviews

Bell and Drum Towers

This two-story arched wooden structure once held 25 drums which, in combination with bells in the Bell Tower, were once used to indicate the time of day. Only one drum remains today, which is beaten four times a day for 15 minutes.

Reviewed By tomsF5110SS - Canterbury, United Kingdom

This is a great building to view the surrounding area of the hutongs. We spent what little money it was (think 150CYN each) to visit both the Drum and Bell Tower. It was well worth the money! The views from the top were fantastic and you could walk around the top to see either the Drum or the Bell tower across the courtyard. While at the top of the tower, we were lucky enough to time it correctly and watch an arranged drum procession. This was also very good. It was a great event which was not shown or advertised anywhere else. One word of warning, there are lots of steps which are very steep. If you have trouble walking freely or struggle with steep steps, then I would urge on the side of caution. I would recommend going to this if you are in the area as it is a great part of the Beijing culture, and helps to show something that I have certainly not seen before.

6. Central Radio and Television Tower (Zhongyang Dianshita)

11 Xisanhuanzhong Lu, Beijing 100048 China +86 10 6847 5809 [email protected] http://www.zydst.cn/
Excellent
36%
Good
42%
Satisfactory
18%
Poor
2%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 95 reviews

Central Radio and Television Tower (Zhongyang Dianshita)

7. Beijing Southeastern Watchtower

Chongwenmen East Main Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing 100062 China
Excellent
20%
Good
60%
Satisfactory
20%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 10 reviews

Beijing Southeastern Watchtower

8. Miyun Yexian Tower

Ye Mountain, Beijing 101500 China
Excellent
0%
Good
100%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 1 reviews

Miyun Yexian Tower

9. Hutong Tour

No.9, Zhonglou, Dongcheng District No.9, Zhonglou, Dongcheng District, 100009, Beijing, Beijing 100009 China +86 185 1027 5768 [email protected] http://www.hutongtour.com
Excellent
36%
Good
39%
Satisfactory
15%
Poor
6%
Terrible
4%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 143 reviews

Hutong Tour

Reviewed By Alliohna

We came here on the 2nd day after arriving to China, it was nice to see the old-fashioned and historic part of Beijing. Everything else in the city is pretty much modern. We had lunch with a local family, where we had a cooking demonstration and then a very tasty home made food. That part was really lovely too: to be allowed to see how people live their life. The hosts (husband and wife in their late 60s) talked about their family and their home, we asked them a lot of questions, they were so genuine, it was so sweet.

10. Olympic Park Observation Tower

South Gate of the Olympic Forest Park Haidian District, Beijing 102008 China +86 10 6452 9060 http://www.bjofp.cn/
Excellent
35%
Good
35%
Satisfactory
18%
Poor
0%
Terrible
12%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 17 reviews

Olympic Park Observation Tower

Officially opened on Jun. 18th 2016, the Olympic Park Observation Tower is part of the Olympic Green in Beijing. With a height of 246.8 meters, it is the second tallest tower in Beijing after the Central TV Tower, and the sixth tallest tower in China. Its design, with four smaller circular floors at different heights and positions below a larger top floor, is meant to echo the Olympic rings. Visit

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