Things to do in Dachang

张洋导游讲解的非常好！All visitors should book the national Museum of China trip. It is not easy to book on your own, book through Trip.com and have a guide to share the history with you..

I went to the Dachang Nationalities Palace on my weekend break. This building, designed by Professor He Jingtang, combines traditional and modern styles. The concept of "round sky and square earth" is matched with 56 petal-shaped doorways, highlighting the national characteristics. I went to the library first, where there are a wide variety of books and a quiet environment, which is very suitable for reading. The exhibition hall is not large and the number of exhibits is limited, but it can also let people understand the local history and culture. Unfortunately, there was no performance at the National Theater that day, so I was unable to experience it. Overall, the Dachang Nationalities Palace is still worth a visit.

The largest urban park within Beijing's Fourth Ring Road, it's free and incredibly welcoming. With its vast lawns, expansive lake, and stunning European-style architecture and fairytale castle, it's perfect for photos. You can run, boat, take your kids, and visit exhibitions. It's comfortable year-round, and locals often come here to relax.

On Saturday, we took our child to visit the Grand Canal Museum in Beijing. We signed up for a guided tour with Elite Guided Tours. The guide explained the Grand Canal to us very thoroughly and in great detail. We were very satisfied with Elite Guided Tours' service.

Tiananmen Square is a place that hundreds of millions of people yearn for; it is a symbol of the Republic, and every tourist visiting Beijing takes a photo in front of Tiananmen. However, advance reservations are essential, and security checks are a must. The only parts of the Tiananmen area open to the public are the Zhengyangmen Gate Tower, the Chairman Mao Memorial Hall, the Tiananmen Gate Tower, and the National Museum. Every year during the National Day holiday, Tiananmen Square is decorated with flowers for photos, and you can arrive early to watch the flag-raising ceremony. In short, a day trip to Beijing can include both Tiananmen and the Forbidden City, leaving a lasting impression of the capital's splendor.

Shichahai (Qianhai + Houhai + Xihai), located at No. 49 Di'anmen West Street, Xicheng District, Beijing, is divided into three water areas: Qianhai, Houhai, and Xihai. The lakeside scenic area is free all day and requires no reservation. Three main areas: 1) Qianhai (Lively main scenic area, the top choice for watching the sunset) Yandai Xiejie: ​​A 232-meter-long century-old street with creative shops and snacks, leading directly to Yinding Bridge. Yinding Bridge: One of the "Eight Scenic Spots of Yanjing," Yinding Guanshan (Viewing the Mountains from Yinding Bridge), a good spot for sunset photography at Orange Sea in the evening, offering distant views of the Western Hills. Lotus Market: A pond full of lotus flowers in summer, offering opportunities for rowing boats and sightseeing boats. 2) Houhai (Bars + Hutongs, the heart of nightlife) Houhai Bar Street: A cluster of folk music bars, creating a vibrant atmosphere at night; avoid the expensive bars along the street and explore the deeper hutongs for better deals. Houhai North Bank: A quiet lakeside walking path, less crowded, suitable for strolling and taking photos, passing by Prince Chun's Mansion (the birthplace of Puyi). 3) Xihai (a local favorite, the least crowded) Xihai Wetland Park (free): reeds, wild ducks, lakeside boardwalk, a hidden gem in the bustling city, almost no tour groups, perfect for a quiet city walk.

Introduction to the Beijing (Tongzhou) Grand Canal Cultural Tourism Scenic Area Constructed in the Spring and Autumn Period, China's Grand Canal is the world's oldest and longest man-made canal. Inscribed as a World Heritage Site in 2014, it is considered one of the world's four most magnificent ancient engineering projects. The Beijing section of the Grand Canal stretches approximately 80 kilometers, of which Tongzhou District covers approximately 40 kilometers. The Beijing (Tongzhou) Grand Canal Cultural Tourism Scenic Area, located at the northern end of the Grand Canal and in the heart of Beijing's sub-central city, is a key node in the Grand Canal Cultural Belt. It stretches 12.1 kilometers and covers a total area of ​​7.23 square kilometers. Tongzhou's rich canal culture and millennia-long history of water transport have left behind numerous historical relics and breathtaking scenery. Once, the area was a place where thousands of boats crisscrossed and the melodious waters flowed. Today, the area blends blue and green, past and present. The Tongzhou Lighthouse and the giant sculpture "East" echo each other on both sides of the canal, bearing witness to the development and transformation of the Grand Canal. For thousands of years, the spiritual energy of heaven and earth has been uniquely favored by the canal, making Tongzhou's magnificent scenery renowned throughout the world.

After visiting the Beijing Grand Canal Museum, the Beijing City Library is just a short walk away. Opened at the end of 2023, the Beijing City Library, along with the Beijing Grand Canal Museum and the Beijing Art Center, forms the "Three Major Cultural Buildings of Beijing's Sub-Center." The Beijing City Library is a branch of the Capital Library, with a total building area of ​​approximately 75,000 square meters, 2,400 reading seats, and a book capacity of approximately 8 million volumes. The mountain-shaped reading area of ​​the Beijing City Library is the world's largest single reading room, certified by Guinness World Records. The Beijing City Library's 144 "ginkgo tree trunk" pillars and two "book mountain" reading areas are perfect for reading and taking photos. Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00–20:00. Visitors driving can park in Area C of the underground parking garage, which is the closest location to the library. Then, take the elevator to Exit C1 at ground level, and the library entrance is a short walk away. The underground parking lot is huge, with an estimated thousand parking spaces. The current fee is 0.5 yuan per 15 minutes.

Having a good guide is crucial when visiting the National Museum, as they can not only introduce the important artifacts we see but also share some previously unknown historical facts.

Qianmen Street, a famous old commercial street, carries significant historical value, and many time-honored brands featured in TV dramas can be found here. Interestingly, while there seem to be many visitors outside, relatively few actually go inside to make a purchase.