Over the last decade Beijing has been blighted by complaints about air quality problems and smog. Unfortunately, with economic development comes pollution- this is an inescapable fact. Amongst this focus on air quality, one thing that is often forgotten is that parts of Beijing have fantastic skylines as a result of the innovative skyscrapers and interesting structures such as the CCTV tower which have popped up in recent years. If it is a one of those wonderful blue sky days and you are stuck for ideas of a place to go, then perhaps it’s a good idea to go visit one of these ‘high points’, check out the views and see the city from another perspective.

Atmosphere Bar

Probably the most stunning view of Beijing can be seen from the 80th floor of China World Summit Wing Building. On a clear day visitors can get a 360 degree view of the capital which stretches for miles and miles. From this vantage point it is quite easy to get a clearer idea of Beijing’s geographic location and you can see the swathes of hills that protected it as capital in its early days. Cocktail in hand, you are able to take in views of Beijing either during the day time or see it lit up in all its neon glory at night time.

80/F, China World Summit Wing, 1 Jianguomenwai Dajie, Chaoyang District

朝阳区建国门外大街1号北京国贸大酒店80层

Mon-Fri 2pm-2am, Sat and Sun noon-2am

6505 2299 ext 6433

Jingshan Park

At the centre of the capital and just north of the Forbidden City liesJingshan park. The park is built on a man-made hill with five peaks, all of which have their own pavilion. The highest of these pavilions rests 45 meters up and offers panoramic views of the city and a clear view of the Forbidden City, along with most of the other tall buildings that dot Beijing’s skyline, plus the nearby Drum and Bell tower and Behai’sWhite Dagoba. The best time of day to enjoy the view from Jinshan’s look-out point is at dusk, when you can see the sun disappears over the western horizon to the sound of park visitors singing Chinese folk music and playing traditional Chinese instruments such as the Erhu (horse hair fiddle)

44 Jingshan Xijie, Xicheng District

西城区景山西街44号

Daily 6am-7pm

Fragrant Hills Park

Located just a couple of Km outside of Beijing’s west 5th ring road isFragrant Hills park, otherwise known as Xiangshan. Visitors commonly go to the park to see the red hillside leaves during the Autumn, however the park also offers a great view of the city when it is a clear day. If you feel like getting a view of the city from a distance atop a scenic hill and you don’t feel energetic for climbing the steep winding steps that take visitors to the peak, you can also take a cable car. From the vantage of the peak the sheer size of the city becomes more apparent and you can have fun trying to pinpoint the different landmarks in the distance.

Shijingshan 石景山

Xiangshan, Haidian District

海淀区香山

Daily 6am-6pm (winter), 6am-6.30pm (summer). RMB 10, RMB 5 (students)

6259-1155

Yin Bar

Yin bar is located on the rooftop of Emperor Hotel next to the forbidden city. Like Jingshan Park Yin Bar offers views from the centre of the city. Unlike Jingshan park, Yin bar also offers cocktails and a Jacuzzi on top a multi floored, colonial style, roof patio with an up close view of the glazed tiles roofing the emperors former residence. The views from Yin bar are mostly likely the best views that one can get of the majestic forbidden city, outside of the palace grounds itself.

Address:

33 Qihelou Street, Emperor Hotel

骑河楼胡同33号

China Central Radio an Television Tower

If you don’t like cocktail lounges and you are not really a fan of climbing hills but still want to get an extraordinary view of the city, there is still an option for you. If you visit China’s previous Central Television tower you can take a lift to the top floor and go for a stroll outside on the viewing deck 238 meters high up. From the deck you will see Chang’an avenue andthe Summer Palaceclearly. In addition to the viewing deck, visitors can also enjoy a meal at the rotating restaurant one floor below. The restaurant is fairly big as it has a capacity of 250. Not only does it have great views but it is also a rotating restaurant which makes one complete rotation in the space of 80 minutes.

Open

8:30am-10pm daily

Admission 70RMB

Telephone 6845 0715

English address 11 Xisanhuanzhong Lu, Haidian district

Chinese address 海淀区西三环中路11号