DK Top 10 Beijing

Eyewitness Top 10 Travel Guides

by D.K. Eyewitness Travel

A city of contrasts, Beijing has ancient temples and edgy art districts, winding hutongs and futuristic architecture – all within a stone’s-throw of the awe-inspiring Great Wall of China.

Make the most of your trip to this enthralling city with DK Eyewitness Top 10. Planning is a breeze with our simple lists of ten, covering the very best that Beijing has to offer and ensuring that you don’t miss a thing. Best of all, the pocket-friendly format is light and easily portable; the perfect companion while out and about. DK Eyewitness Beijng is your ticket to the trip of a lifetime. 

Inside DK Eyewitness Beijing you will  

- Up-to-date information with insider tips and advice for staying safe
- Top 10 lists of Beijing’s must-sees, including the Forbidden City, Tian'an Men Square and the Great Wall of China
- Beijing's most interesting areas, with the best places for sightseeing, food and drink, and shopping
- Themed lists, including the best museums, restaurants, markets and shops and much more
- Easy-to-follow itineraries , perfect for a day trip, a weekend or a week
- A laminated pull-out map of Beijing, plus seven full-color area maps

Looking for more on Beijing’s culture, history and attractions? Try our DK Eyewitness Beijing and Shanghai.

About DK

At DK Eyewitness, we believe in the power of discovery. We make it easy for you to explore your dream destinations. DK Eyewitness travel guides have been helping travellers to make the most of their breaks since 1993. Filled with expert advice, striking photography and detailed illustrations, our highly visual DK Eyewitness guides will get you closer to your next adventure. We publish guides to more than 200 destinations, from pocket-sized city guides to comprehensive country guides. Named Top Guidebook Series at the 2020 Wanderlust Reader Travel Awards, we know that wherever you go next, your DK Eyewitness travel guides are the perfect companion.

Genres: Travel

128 pages, Paperback

First published February 19, 2007

Reviews

[Angie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wasn't a huge fan of this style. It was just lots of lists without a lot of detail. I think I am more a fan of the Rick steve's or lonely planet - less pictures, more detail.

[Mark · Rating 3 out of 5]

Like most of the Top 10 travel guides (and you could probably guess this from the "Top 10" in the title), this is long on sound-bite inspiration and shorter on practical travel info. It was great to borrow from the library, leaf through, get some notes, and then return. For me, the most useful aspect was restaurants arranged by neighborhood so I could find ones close to our hotel, although many of the restaurants listed serve European-style food at high prices, which wasn't exactly what I was going for. Hotels themselves are also conveniently arranged by neighborhood so you could get something close to your pilgrimage site, although these also lean toward big spenders. There was an eye-opening section on internet coverage and availability of phone service at the back. And there's a handy fold-out Metro map.

What you won't get are much help with language, much in-depth coverage on transit and infrastructure (Getting To & Around is just two pages), any conversation about customs or culture (Practical Information is 4 pages), nor much in the way of inexpensive options for eating or sleeping. So it's great for initial inspiration, especially if you're willing to blow the bank on fancy dinners and a luxury hotel.

Here are the Top 10 lists included:
* Beijing Highlights
* Forbidden City
* Forbidden City Collections
* Temple of Heaven
* Tian'an Men Square
*Lama Temple
* Bei Hai Park
* Hou Hai
* Summer Palace
* 798 Art District
* Ming Tombs
* Great Wall
* Moments in History
* Places of Worship
* Museums
* Olympic Legacy
* Off the Beaten Path (botanical garden, eunuch museum, temples, watermelon museum! etc.)
* Children's Attractions
* Entertainment
* Beijing Opera
* Beijing Dishes
* Restaurants
* Bars & Pubs
* Markets & Shops
* Beijing For Free
* Festivals & Events

Then there are handy Top 10 bar, restaurant, shop, & site lists for each of these neighborhoods:
* Tian'an Men Square & the Forbidden City
* South of Tian'an Men Square
* North of the Forbidden City
* Eastern Beijing
* Western Beijing
* Greater Beijing
* Farther Afield

[Mojca · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 - 3½ stars

[Jim Blessing · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an excellent guide to Beijing.

[Abby Epplett · Rating 4 out of 5]

This brief, up-to-date book by DK Eyewitness contained everything I wanted to know about the best sites in Beijing.

[Eric Heinze · Rating 5 out of 5]

DK are always among the best travel guides for anyone interested in history, art, and architecture. This book was perfect.

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't wait for my trip to Beijing!