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The Forbidden City is one of Beijing’s finest attractions. Previously home to emperors and tyrants for some 500 years, and now the humble hangout of legions of tourists sheltering beneath phosphorescent orange hats.  It’s big enough, sprawling over 720,000 square meters, that you can find spots to enjoy on your own. The Forbidden City is great for wandering. It also hosts an extensive art collection under the charge of the Palace Museum. The collection of imperial artwork and artifacts like ceramics, paintings, calligraphy, spans the Ming and Qing dynasties. To avoid the crowds, visit on weekdays as early in the day as possible. For a remarkable view of the Forbidden City and surrounding cityscape, climb to the top of the hill in the middle of Jingshan Park, just a few blocks north. Both the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square across the street can be managed in half a day.

Chinese Great Wall: The world’s greatest example of human will and ingenuity (and irrationality). Stretching from China’s east coast to the deserts of western China, the Great Well was built some 2,200 years ago to resist marauding tribes from the north. Most of the wall that one can see today was erected in the Ming Dynasty about 600 years ago.What to expect: Pick one section and expect to spend at least a day exploring it. Badaling and Mutianyu, both restored sections, are stunning to look at, but can be overwhelmed with crowds. Instead, the Wall at the non-restored (or “wild”) sections, such as Huanghua or Jiankou, remains the way the sentries left it. Visitors may well have entire sections to themselves.A driver for the day to most sections near Beijing costs about RMB 650 (US$100). Insider tips: For a unique experience, consider camping on the wall. Several outfits organize overnight stays, where travelers can either sleep in a watchtower or in ten...