Be inspired by the magnificent Summer Palace, the exquisite Temple of Heaven and the splendours of the Forbidden City in Beijing. Then explore the hutongs (back alleys) by cycle rickshaw to see Chinese life at its most traditional.

With a history dating back 3000 years, Beijing offers a treasure trove of stunning monuments to ancient dynasties. Sights in and around Beijing not to miss include:

Regional Highlights

Tiananmen Square-Enjoy panoramic views over the world's largest public square from atop the 15th century Gate of Heavenly Peace, where Mao Zedong proclaimed the People's Republic of China in 1949. Explore the Great Hall of the People and the Museum of the Chinese Revolution.

Forbidden City-So named because it was off-limits to the general populace for 500 years, the Forbidden City is the best preserved Imperial architecture in China. Wander through a quiet maze of courtyards and pavilions to The Hall of Supreme Harmony, the most important and the largest structure in the ancient complex. Two dynasties of emperors, the Ming and the Qing, called the Forbidden City home.

Temple of Heaven-Explore China's largest temple, an amazing complex of interconnected buildings enclosed by a huge circular wall and a 273ha park. Built in 1420 AD, the temple served as an altar for Chinese monarchs during the Ming and Qing dynasties at a time when the Chinese believed that heaven was the supreme ruler of the universe.

Yonghe Temple-Breathe in the fragrant scent of burning incense at this operating Buddhist temple, originally built in 1694 to house court eunuchs, later becoming the residence of the future Emperor Yongzheng. Discover a treasure trove of Buddhist art, including decorative archways and sculptured images of gods, demons and buddhas as well as Tibetan-style murals. Don't miss the 18m-high wooden Tibetan-style statue of the Maitreya Buddha, a gift for Emperor Qianlong from the seventh Dalai Lama.

Summer Palace-Discover the largest imperial garden in China (290ha), a stunning visual array of Chinese classical architecture spread along the shores of Kunming Lake. Stroll the Long Corridor, a 700m-long covered wooden promenade; see the Marble Boat docked at the western end of the lake; admire the Precious Clouds Pavilion on Longevity Hill to the north; and don't miss the Hall of Benevolence and Longevity, where the infamous Empress Dowager Cixi received members of the court. Built for emperors of the Qing Dynasty, the palace is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Great Wall of China-Built during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) to defend China from northern invaders, the 6700km-long Great Wall stretches from Shanhaiguan, by the Yellow Sea, to Jiayuguan Pass in the Gobi Desert.

To see the 'Long Wall of Ten Thousand Li' at its natural best, head to Jinshanling, 110km north-east of Beijing. This crumbling, 19km-long, largely unrestored section of the wall offers more than 20 watchtowers and panoramic vistas of mountain, farmland and wilderness as it snakes westward - seemingly forever - along ridges and over mountain peaks. For a strenuous but rewarding four-hour adventure, hike (or cycle) the 9km route from Jinshanling to Simatai (or visa versa). Other accessible places include Badaling - the most popular, only one hour from downtown Beijing; Mutianyu - less crowded and more spectacular than Badaling, with memorable views of the wall winding across woodlands and mountains; Huanghua - only 60km north of Beijing, but completely unreconstructed with ramparts, parapets and towers to scramble over; and distant Simatai and Jinshanling - less crowded and far more beautiful. Note: Cable cars offer an easy alternative to the strenuous climb typically needed to reach the lowest portions of the wall.

Yungang Caves-Examine the earliest Buddhist carvings yet discovered in China. Hewn into the southern cliffs of Wuzhou Shan, located 16km west of Datong, they include more than 50,000 Buddhist statues dating to the 5th century. Images surrounding the main statues include pagodas in bas-relief, the omnipresent '1000 Buddha' motif and flying apsaras (angels draped in flowing silk). The remains of a huge mud-brick 17th century Qing Dynasty fortress sits on top of the mountain ridge. From the caves you can walk east to a remnant of the Great Wall.

Peking Man Site-Explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site where the 600,000-year-old homo erectus (Sinanthrope) was discovered in 1929 inside a cave at Zhoukoudian, 50km south-west of Beijing.

Ming Tombs-Stroll winding paths past larger-than-life stone statues of animals and men to discover the tombs of 13 Ming Dynasty emperors. The tombs are located 50km north-west of Beijing in a tranquil Feng Shui-inspired valley enclosed by mountains, tranquil water and lush gardens.

Hangzhou-The ancient Chinese capital of Hangzhou, located 180km south-west of Shanghai, is famous for its natural beauty and historical heritage. Highlights include:

West Lake-Explore the legendary West Lake (Xi Hu) on foot or by bike. Its mist-shrouded shores are lined with peach and willow trees, crowded with ancient pagodas, teahouses, shaded walkways and landscaped gardens and offer a delightful interlude from bustling modern-day Hangzhou - famous for silk and tea. Stroll along meandering paths over arched bridges onto artificial islands and into shady pavilions featuring quaint upturned roofs. In summer, admire lotus flowers; in spring, willow and peach blossoms; in autumn, orange scented acacia; and in winter, plum. Hire a boat and paddle over to the stone pagodas on the Island in the Little Ocean, relax on one of the many benches and take in the tranquil views, sip green tea at a nearby teahouse or rent a bike and peddle up to the China Tea Museum in the southern hills.

Don't miss the Temple of the Soul's Retreat, founded in 326 AD and one of the major Zen Buddhist shrines in China. Also visit the nearby Peak That Flew from Afar, renowned for its religious carvings dating from the 10th to the 14th century. And, at sunset, see the Evening Sunlight at Thunder Peak Pagoda on the south-eastern shore for magical views across the lake.

Qiantian Tidal Bore-Marvel at the world's largest tidal bore, created when incoming tides from the Gulf of Hangzhou are funnelled into the shallow riverbed at the mouth of the Qiantian River. Watch as a distant line of white waves approaches, turning into a thundering 10m-high wall of water that swirls along the shallow riverbed at speeds of up to 40km/hr. Best observed during the autumnal equinox, when the moon's gravitational pull is at its peak.

Best time to visit

Best in autumn, between September and October, and also in spring, between April and May, when it's dry and warm with an average of 23C. Summer, from June to August, is hot with an average temperature of 30C. Winter is cold with a low of minus 20C. Note that peak season is generally in early May and from mid-July to mid-October.

Best buys

Local handicrafts, jade, silk, embroidery, calligraphy, paintings and carvings in wood, stone and bamboo are just some of the regions' best buys.