Behai Park and Forbidden City

Northwest of the Forbidden City, Beihai Park is a great place to watch Beijing's citizens dancing, singing, painting or working out. On Jade Islet, in the middle of the park is the White Dagoba, a stupa built for a visit from the Dalai Lama in the 17th Century. Yann impressed the Beijingers with his paddle ball skills, while Jean showed off his dance moves. Right in the heart of Beijing, directly north of Tianan'men Square is the Forbidden City. Off limits for 500 years, other than to the Emperor and his entourage of concubines and eunuchs, it is the largest collection of historical buildings in China. Home to 23 successive emperors from the mid-Ming Dynasty until the fall of the Qing Dynasty (1407-1911). The last Emperor, Puyi was allowed to continue living within the city until 1925.