What to visit in Beijing, China

Beijing is a city on the move. It's reinventing itself at a rapid rate, replacing traditional hutongs (neighborhoods) with high rises. The city is a clash of old and new, with lots of historical sites and street life to keep any visitor happy.
In the old days, the city was divided into four sections with the Forbidden City as the center of the compass. To the east, lived the rich businessmen; today, Chaoyang is the location for large hotels and embassies; it's where Westerners gather at bars and restaurants for a taste of home. To the west, lived intellectuals and relatives off the royal family; today it is Xicheng, where many temples and churches are located. The north, once home to the city's poor, has now been transformed by the building boom of the 2008 Olympics. Finally, to the south once lived the artists and sales people of old Beijing; today Xuanwu and Chongwen districts are the areas for shopping, including Liu Li Chang and Dazhalan Streets.

North
Jingshan Park/The Imperial Gardens
Jingshan Park, once the royal gardens for the Ming and Qing Dynasties, today offers panoramic views of the city. Arrive early, and you will see locals practicing Tai Chi, the Fan and Sword Dances, and walking their birds. The park's hills were originally created from the dirt excavated to make the moat surrounding the Forbidden City. Atop the Jingshan Hills is the Wanchun Pavilion, the highest natural point in Beijing; from here you can spot the Forbidden City, the Drum and Bell Towers, and Beihai Lake.
Soong Qingling's Residence
Soong Qingling was the wife of Sun Yat-sen, the first president of the Republic of China, and while she lived in this residence from 1963-81, originally it was created for Prince Zai Feng, the father of Emperor Pu Yi (last emperor of China). Soong and her two sisters were the first women in China to study in the US, which led Soong Qingling to take an active role in making the lives of women in China better.
Qianhai Lake
Wooden decks line the lake for acres of lakeside dining and drinking. Whether enjoying a drink, snack, or dinner, this is a location that offers not only an active nightlife venue but a calmer daytime respite from city life. Paddle boats are available to rent for a look around the lake.