All Stories published by A Better Guide to Beijing on October 07, 2016

Temple of Heaven Park 天坛公园

The greatest achievement of Míng dynasty architecture
Part of A Better Guide to Beijing
’s coverage of South of Qián Mén

Of all Peking’s enchanting sights, the beauty of the Altar of Heaven is the hardest to describe. Its sublime


Máo’s Maze

Part of A Better Guide to Beijing

Until 2008 it was possible, not far southeast of Qián Mén at Xī Dǎmóchǎng Jiē 62, to descend, through its last public entrance, into a dark and musty labyrinth of tunnels spreading out beneath Běijīng.


Altars for all Seasons

Part of A Better Guide to Beijing

The Mongol Yuán dynasty built Běijīng largely according to the layout prescribed in the 2nd century BCE classic Rites of Zhōu, and while the Míng slightly altered the shape and later added the southern Outer City, it followed the…