How to see Beijing in 72 hours without a visa

The Forbidden City and Jingshan Park

Lying at the heart of the capital, the Forbidden City, or more accurately, the Imperial Palace, was home to 24 Chinese emperors during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Twice the size of the Vatican, it consists of 999 rooms that served the emperors and their concubines. Also, it's the largest and most well-preserved wooden palace complex in the world.

Once you step inside the complex, you'll immediately embrace ancient China, with bright red dragons and phoenix carvings decorating the wood almost everywhere you look. Walking upon the old stones, tour guides tell you the most intriguing stories you would never be able to find online. Language barrier? Don't worry; the audio guide will help with that.

The Forbidden City is increasingly devoted to museum spaces. Travel exhibitions including "Imperial Splendors: the Art of Jewelry Since the 18th Century" and "Treasures of China" have been featured there, as well as daily exhibitions displaying large portraits, furniture, court paintings and fine decorative art.

If touring the inside of the Forbidden City is not enough, nearby Jingshan Park offers you panoramic views of Beijing and a unique view of the former palace.

Facing the Forbidden City's north gate, Jingshan Park is the best spot for enthusiasts to have it all. It was once a private park reserved for the use of the emperor in the Yuan Dynasty, but later an artificial hill with five peaks was built just to help tourists reach the top.