Nowadays, Beijing is organized in concentric, oblong loops, called ring roads. While there is no first ring road, the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square are the de facto first ring. Business centers and fashionable restaurants and clubs lie within the second; Beijing's diplomatic community within the third. Universities, such as the internationally respected Beijing and Tsinghua Universities, are in the fourth; and the fifth ring road has been nicknamed Olympic Avenue, as the 2008 Olympic Summer Games' major venues were built within this area.
A handpicked selection of experiences endorsed by our experts. If you can’t see what you’re looking for, let us know, as our extensive network of local contacts can open many doors.
Designed by East German Bauhaus architects in the 1950s, the Dashanzi Art District was originally intended to produce electronics and armaments. Today, it has been repurposed and redesigned to house scores of galleries and artists’ studios; it takes its name, “798,” from one of the factories here. Tour this dynamic, fascinating area with an art expert, and learn about the vibrant Chinese contemporary art scene.
Have a poetic Chinese name bestowed upon you and learn how to write it during a private calligraphy lesson. Most names convey parents' wishes for their children's future - integrity, prosperity, health and wisdom are all popularly used characters.
Be serenaded by virtuosos of traditional Peking opera as they perform classic Chinese characters, such as the mischievous Monkey King, or his gluttonous, pig-like sidekick Zhu Baijie.
On certain occasions, Remote Lands can arrange a behind-the-scenes tour of the opera stage.
Go on an architectural tour of modern Beijing, led by an internationally renowned architect. Visit the Water Cube and Bird's Nest, icons of the 2008 Summer Olympics. In central Beijing, see the towering CCTV building designed by Rem Koolhaas, and the National Center for the Performing Arts, or "Alien Egg," designed by Paul Andreu.
Have an authentic Peking duck lunch at a casual, family-owned operation which has hosted Al Gore, Jet Li, and scores of other dignitaries and celebrities. An elaborate dish involving special preparations such as pumping air between the skin and the meat and roasting the duck with special woods, Peking duck was once reserved for the Chinese imperial family.
This magnificent palace was once the royals’ retreat from Beijing’s summer heat. One of the most famous attractions in Summer Palace is the Marble Boat, a symbol of opulence built by Empress Dowager Cixi in lieu of real naval ships. This 36-meter long lakeside “boat of purity” features two long decks with mirrors to reflect and radiate natural beauty.
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the complex was declared a “masterpiece of Chinese landscape garden design” with its gorgeous combination of pavilions, halls, palaces, temples, and bridges surrounded by lush gardens and a large, serene lake. On weekends, the palace grounds are filled with locals flying kits, practicing tai chi and enjoying the environs.
Explore the Forbidden City, a UNESCO World Heritage Site which mostly remains as it was during the last emperor’s time. The world’s largest palace complex, the Forbidden City is divided into two parts: the southern section, also known as the Outer Court, was where the emperor held imperial proceedings, and the Inner Court to the north was where he lived with his royal family. As the imperial palace for over five centuries, the complex houses rare treasures and curiosities in its 9,999 rooms.
One of the “new seven wonders of the world,” the Great Wall is a sight every traveler should see in their lifetime. Try to fathom the years of toil required to build the Great Wall of China as you follow its steep, snaking path through the countryside. The views of crumbling, original sections of the Wall winding over the steep mountain ridges into the far distance are highly memorable, especially with the guidance of noted historian and the world's foremost expert on the Great Wall.
Explore in-depth information, experiences and highlights by navigating to specific regions using the links below on the right.
With Remote Lands you'll travel with people who have made Asia the solitary focus of their own lifelong adventure. As our guest, you'll discover Asia on a journey that is completely, authentically your own, adapted from our own remarkable experiences and adventures over the years.
With Remote Lands you'll travel with people who have made Asia the solitary focus of their own lifelong adventure. As our guest, in the continent that our north American founders Catherine and Jay have adored and explored for decades, you'll discover Asia on a journey that is completely, authentically your own, adapted from our own remarkable experiences and adventures over the years.
Multi-Country Specialists
Remote Lands
Choose somewhere you’d like to visit, something you’re interested in, and when you’re planning to travel and we’ll suggest sample itineraries to inspire your bespoke journey.
An Asia-focused magazine brought to you by Remote Lands – a platform for adventure, luxury, and authenticity from experts and explorers around the continent.
From the Cultural Revolution and Chinese millennials to the Kangxi Emperor and hutongs, this list of books to read on your trip through Beijing will keep you entertained, informed, and enlightened.
Nothing says Beijing like bikes. By jumping on Beijing’s bike-share bandwagon, you can pedal your way through some of the city’s most remarkable sights.
Beijing is one of the few metropolises in Asia that can boast of having extraordinary tourist attractions in the very heart of its city center, and with China’s rise to prominence, fine dining has followed suit.
Here is a small selection of the kind words our guests have said about us, as well as features by journalists and travel writers.
From the moment I happened upon the REMOTE LANDS website over a year ago, browsed the options, I knew that this would be well worth it. The entire staff is nothing less than professional with service that made us feel like royals.
This was truly the trip of a lifetime. Magical destinations, the most luxurious hotels in the world, and the most wonderful travel companions we could’ve wished for. We were treated like family everywhere we went and we have 14 new best friends.
We have used some of the top rated travel specialists all over the world and, without question, Catherine Heald and Remote Lands are at the very top of the list!
