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Northern Capital

Beijing architecture

The Forbidden City in Beijing is a massive palace complex that contains exactly 9,999.5 rooms, as tradition held that only heaven could have a full 10,000. The city serves as the political and cultural center of China, where ancient sites like the Temple of Heaven stand alongside futuristic Olympic stadiums.

  • 16Landmarks
  • 1272Oldest · Drum and Bell Towers
  • 528 mTallest · CITIC Tower (China Zun)
  • 14Architects

Before you go

  • Fly intoDaxing Int'l (PKX)

    Daxing International, designed by the late Zaha Hadid, is the world's largest single-terminal airport and is shaped like a giant six-armed starfish. The design allows passengers to reach any gate from the central security area in less than eight minutes, despite the terminal's enormous footprint.

  • CurrencyChinese Yuan (¥)
  • LanguageMandarin

    Beijing is the home of standard Mandarin, characterized by the distinct rhotic 'er' sounds of the local dialect. English is common in international business and major tourist hubs, though translation apps are helpful for local exploration.

  • Getting aroundBeijing Subway

    The Beijing Subway is the busiest in the world by annual ridership and is expanding at an incredible rate. Automated facial recognition and security checks are integrated into the entry process at many major stations. High-speed intercity trains connect Beijing to Tianjin in just 30 minutes using dedicated tracks.

16 landmarks in Beijing

  1. Forbidden City (Hall of Supreme Harmony)
    Photo: Pixelflake, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Forbidden City (Hall of Supreme Harmony)

    4 Jingshan Front Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing, 100009

    The Forbidden City stands as the largest and best-preserved palace complex in the entire world. Constructed primarily from wood and tile, it contains a legendary 9,999 rooms across its vast grounds. The Hall of Supreme Harmony represents the absolute peak of traditional Chinese imperial architecture and power. Its yellow glazed roof tiles and red walls signify the exclusive status of the emperor. Today, it serves as a massive museum documenting five centuries of dynastic history and cultural treasures.

    Built
    1420
    Architect
    Kuai Xiang
    Style
    Traditional Chinese
    Height
    35 m (115 ft)
    Stories
    1
    Today
    Museum

  2. National Stadium

    1 Anding Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100101

    Known globally as the Bird's Nest, this structure remains the world's largest steel architectural feat. It was famously designed to serve as the centerpiece for the 2008 Summer Olympic Games. The outer shell consists of a complex web of steel beams that cleverly hide the stadium's supports. Its organic shape was inspired by Chinese ceramics and the patterns found in traditional window screens. The venue continues to host major international sports competitions and large-scale entertainment performances.

    Built
    2008
    Architect
    Herzog & de Meuron
    Style
    Expressionist
    Height
    69 m (226 ft)
    Stories
    7
    Today
    Sports Venue
  3. CCTV Headquarters
    Photo: Dayton12345, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    CCTV Headquarters

    7 Guanghua Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100020

    The CCTV Headquarters features a radical loop design that completely defies the traditional skyscraper aesthetic. It is composed of two leaning towers that are joined by a massive 75-meter cantilevered section. This overhanging elbow creates a dramatic silhouette that appears to float high above the ground. The building was designed to provide a continuous loop for all stages of television production. It serves as a prominent landmark in the heart of Beijing's Central Business District.

    Built
    2012
    Architect
    Rem Koolhaas (OMA)
    Style
    Deconstructivism
    Height
    234 m (768 ft)
    Stories
    51
    Today
    Television HQ
  4. Temple of Heaven (Hall of Prayer)
    Photo: Shujianyang, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Temple of Heaven (Hall of Prayer)

    1 Tiantan Road, Dongcheng District, Beijing, 100050

    This masterpiece of timber construction was remarkably assembled without the use of a single iron nail. Its iconic triple-gabled circular roof was designed to represent the vastness of the heavens. The building sits upon a square stone base which traditionally symbolizes the four corners of the earth. Ming and Qing emperors visited this sacred site annually to pray for bountiful harvests. It remains a pinnacle of cosmological design and traditional Chinese spiritual architecture.

    Built
    1420
    Architect
    Imperial Architects
    Style
    Traditional Chinese
    Height
    38 m (125 ft)
    Stories
    3
    Today
    Public Park / Landmark
  5. Galaxy SOHO
    Photo: Rob Deutscher, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Galaxy SOHO

    7A Nanzhugan Hutong, Dongcheng District, Beijing, 100010

    Galaxy SOHO is a continuous flow of four domed structures that lack any flat surfaces or 90-degree angles. The design was inspired by the layout of traditional Chinese courtyards but reimagined for a digital era. Fluid bridges connect the different sections to create a sense of three-dimensional movement and interior space. The white aluminum and glass facade gives the complex a distinctly futuristic and organic appearance. It serves as a major hub for offices and high-end retail in the center of the city.

    Built
    2012
    Architect
    Zaha Hadid
    Style
    Parametricism
    Height
    67 m (220 ft)
    Stories
    18
    Today
    Office / Retail
  6. National Aquatics Center
    Photo: Charlie fong, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

    National Aquatics Center

    11 Tianchen East Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100101

    The National Aquatics Center is wrapped in a high-tech skin of ETFE bubbles that resemble soap suds. This innovative design is based on the complex Weaire-Phelan geometry found in natural foam structures. By using these bubbles, the building is made incredibly lightweight and highly energy efficient. It gained worldwide fame as the venue for swimming events during the 2008 Summer Olympics. The interior has since been partially converted into a massive indoor water park for the public.

    Built
    2008
    Architect
    PTW Architects
    Style
    Organic Modernism
    Height
    31 m (102 ft)
    Stories
    4
    Today
    Water Park / Arena
  7. Great Hall of the People
    Photo: Zheng Zhou, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Great Hall of the People

    West Side of Tiananmen Square, Xicheng District, Beijing, 100017

    The Great Hall of the People serves as the primary political heart of the People's Republic of China. It was famously completed in just ten months as part of the Ten Great Buildings project in 1959. The massive structure fronts the western side of Tiananmen Square with its grand neoclassical columns. Its main auditorium is large enough to seat ten thousand delegates for national legislative sessions. The building's architecture represents the solemnity and scale of Socialist Realism during the mid-twentieth century.

    Built
    1959
    Architect
    Zhang Bo
    Style
    Socialist Realism
    Height
    46 m (151 ft)
    Stories
    4
    Today
    Parliament
  8. CITIC Tower (China Zun)
    Photo: N509FZ, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    CITIC Tower (China Zun)

    Plot Z15, Guanghua Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100020

    CITIC Tower is the tallest building in Beijing and serves as a dominant feature of the skyline. Its unique form was inspired by the 'Zun,' which is an ancient Chinese wine vessel. The skyscraper features a slender waist that gracefully flares out at the top and bottom. This design successfully blends ultra-modern engineering with historical Chinese cultural motifs. It primarily provides high-grade office space for international financial institutions and major corporations.

    Built
    2018
    Architect
    Kohn Pedersen Fox
    Style
    Modernist / Futurist
    Height
    528 m (1,732 ft)
    Stories
    109
    Today
    Office
  9. National Centre for the Performing Arts
    Photo: xiquinhosilva, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    National Centre for the Performing Arts

    2 West Chang'an Avenue, Xicheng District, Beijing, 100031

    This stunning ellipsoid dome is constructed from titanium and glass to create a shimmering effect. The building is entirely surrounded by an artificial lake, making it appear to float on water. Locals often refer to the structure as the 'Giant Egg' due to its unique oval shape. Access to the theatre is provided through a transparent underwater tunnel that crosses the lake. It contains three major performance halls designed to host world-class opera, ballet, and concerts.

    Built
    2007
    Architect
    Paul Andreu
    Style
    Futurist
    Height
    46 m (151 ft)
    Stories
    5
    Today
    Opera House
  10. Beijing Daxing International
    Photo: Siyuwj, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Beijing Daxing International

    Daxing District, Beijing / Guangyang District, Langfang, 102600

    The Daxing International Airport is nicknamed the 'Starfish' because of its unique five-pointed radial design. This layout was specifically engineered to minimize the walking distance for passengers between gates. A massive central courtyard sits under a single roof that features giant spans of natural light. It represents one of the largest and most technologically advanced airport terminals in the world. The building serves as a vital transportation hub connecting Beijing with the rest of the globe.

    Built
    2019
    Architect
    Zaha Hadid
    Style
    Parametricism
    Height
    45 m (148 ft)
    Stories
    5
    Today
    Airport Terminal

  11. Apple Sanlitun

    Taikoo Li Sanlitun, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100027

    Apple Sanlitun is a massive standalone structure featuring a unique floral-patterned glass facade. The roof is entirely covered in solar panels to help power the store with renewable energy. Two monumental outdoor staircases provide public seating and social space for the surrounding district. It utilizes a special truss frame that allows the interior to remain completely free of columns. This engineering was essential to ensure the building remains safe within a known seismic zone.

    Built
    2020
    Architect
    Foster + Partners
    Style
    Neo-futurism
    Height
    15 m (49 ft)
    Stories
    2
    Today
    Retail / Social Hub
  12. White Dagoba (Miaoying Temple)
    Photo: EditQ, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

    White Dagoba (Miaoying Temple)

    171 Fuchengmen Inner Street, Xicheng District, Beijing, 100034

    This colossal Tibetan-style stupa has dominated the skyline of old Beijing since the Yuan Dynasty. It is the largest structure of its kind in China and features a brilliant white lime finish. The pagoda is topped with a golden finial that reflects the sun across the nearby hutongs. Its surrounding alleys offer a stark scale contrast to the massive and smooth curves of the monument. The site represents the city's rich spiritual history and its multi-ethnic heritage from the Mongolian era.

    Built
    1279
    Architect
    Araniko
    Style
    Tibetan Buddhist / Yuan Dynasty
    Height
    51 m (167 ft)
    Stories
    1
    Today
    Museum / Landmark
  13. Leeza SOHO
    Photo: AsAuSo, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Leeza SOHO

    Lize Financial District, Fengtai District, Beijing, 100073

    Leeza SOHO features the world's tallest atrium which rises through the center of the tower. The building is twisted 45 degrees to clear a subway tunnel that runs directly beneath the site. A single glass shell wraps the two halves of the building to create a massive central void. This open space allows natural light and air to circulate through all levels of the tower. It stands as one of the final completed masterpieces designed by Zaha Hadid.

    Built
    2019
    Architect
    Zaha Hadid Architects
    Style
    Parametricism
    Height
    207 m (679 ft)
    Stories
    45
    Today
    Office Tower

  14. New Poly Plaza

    1 Chaoyangmen North Street, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100010

    This high-tech building features a massive glass curtain wall that is the largest cable-net structure in the world. The interior contains a floating atrium that appears to defy gravity through innovative engineering. It serves as a corporate headquarters while also housing the prestigious Poly Art Museum. The design successfully blends modern business requirements with the preservation of historical artifacts. It stands as a prime example of structural expressionism in the heart of the capital.

    Built
    2007
    Architect
    Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM)
    Style
    Modernist / Structural Expressionism
    Height
    105 m (344 ft)
    Stories
    24
    Today
    Office / Museum

  15. Chaoyang Park Plaza

    Chaoyang Park Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100026

    Often called the Vertical Forest, these buildings resemble jagged charcoal mountains rising from the city. The design was directly inspired by traditional Chinese mountain and water paintings known as Shan-Shui. The distinct ridges and valleys in the glass facade provide natural ventilation for the offices. This project attempts to bridge the gap between high-density urban development and the natural world. It creates a unique visual transition between the modern city and the green space of Chaoyang Park.

    Built
    2017
    Architect
    MAD Architects (Ma Yansong)
    Style
    MAD Modernism / Organic
    Height
    120 m (394 ft)
    Stories
    26
    Today
    Mixed-use
  16. Drum and Bell Towers
    Photo: Toadspike, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Drum and Bell Towers

    Zhonglouwan, Dongcheng District, Beijing, 100009

    These towers served as the essential timekeepers for the ancient capital of China. The Drum Tower is a massive wooden structure painted in a signature imperial red color. In contrast, the Bell Tower is constructed from stone and brick to make it resistant to fire. They are situated at the northern end of Beijing's historic central axis. Together, they provide a glimpse into the rhythmic and organized lifestyle of the city before modern clocks.

    Built
    1272
    Architect
    Imperial Architects
    Style
    Traditional Chinese
    Height
    47 m (154 ft)
    Stories
    2
    Today
    Museum / Landmark

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