If you want to find artistic elements during travel, then Beijing should be your first choice. Beijing is a reflection of China with its history steeped in the momentum of the nation from the very moment of its founding. In the over 800 years starting from the Jin dynasty, numerous grand and magnificent palaces were built, making Beijing the city a great place for an artistic travel.

Capital Museum

This tour starts at Capital Museum, which contributes to Beijing’s standing as a famous historical and cultural city, a cultural center and an international metropolis. Located in the Confucius Temple, the Capital Museum was prepared in 1953 and formally opened in 1981. With magnificent architecture, abundant exhibitions, advanced technology and complete functions, it ranks among the first class museums both at home and abroad and is regarded as one of the first “State First-class Museums”.

Exhibition of Capital Museum consists of three parts: permanent exhibitions, exhibitions of fine artistic works and temporary exhibitions. Exhibits are mainly past years’ collections and unearthed historical heritages of the Beijing area. Combining with the latest research results concerning the history, cultural heritages, archeology, and relevant subjects of Beijing, and using the successful experiences of other museums both at home and abroad for reference, the Capital Museum holds modern exhibitions featured by Beijing characteristics.

Address: 16 Fuxingmen Outer Street, Xicheng District, Beijing

Tel: (8610) 63370491 / 63370492

Ticket: Free

Prince Gong's Mansion

Prince Gong's Mansion is located near Shichahai to the northwest of the Forbidden City in Beijing, is the largest one among mansions in Beijing. Originally constructed for Heshen, an official highly favored by the Qianlong Emperor, it was later renamed after Prince Gong, a Manchu prince and influential statesman of the late Qing dynasty, who inhabited the mansion in the late 19th century. There are three luxurious treasures in Mansion, Xiyangmen in the garden, stele carved with the Chinese letter called ‘Fu’, which means fortune, and Great Drama Building indoor.

Address: No. 17, West Qianhai Street, Xicheng District

Ticket: 40 Yuan

Tel: (86) 010-83288149

Tsinghua University

Established in 1911, Tsinghua University is consistently ranked as one of the top academic institutions in China and Asia. Located on the former site of a Qing Dynasty royal garden, it retains Chinese-style landscapes and traditional buildings, as well as Western-style buildings reflecting the American influence in its history.

Along with its rival and neighbor the Peking University, it is known throughout China and the wider world for having one of the most beautiful campuses. It was named one of the most beautiful college campuses in the world by a panel of architects and campus designers in Forbes in 2010, which was the only university in Asia on the list.

Address: No. 30 Shuangqing Road, Haidian District, Beijing

Tel: +86 10 62793001

Peking University

Situated at Haidian District in the western suburb of Beijing, near to the Yuanmingyuan Garden and the Summer Palace, Peking University is consistently ranked as the top higher learning institution in China.

In addition to academics, Peking University is especially renowned for its campus grounds and the beauty of its traditional Chinese architecture. Its campus, known as "Yan Yuan"（the garden of Yan, covers a total area of 2,743,532 square meters (or 274 hectares).

The campus retains traditional Chinese landscaping, such as houses, gardens, pagodas, as well as many notable historical buildings and structures. The Boya Tower to the south of the Weiming Lake is illuminated at night and its reflection in the lake is considered particularly beautiful. The university also hosts many museums with notable items, like burial objects date back thousands of years ago.

Address: No.5 Yiheyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing