Most tourists know Beijing for the iconic landmarks from its imperial past. Pictured, artists dressed in Qing Dynasty costumes re-enact a traditional ceremony at Beijing's 15th-century Temple of Heaven.
Temple of Heaven —
Most tourists know Beijing for the iconic landmarks from its imperial past. Pictured, artists dressed in Qing Dynasty costumes re-enact a traditional ceremony at Beijing's 15th-century Temple of Heaven.
The Forbidden City is the imperial palace that served as the home of emperors and their households, as well as the ceremonial and political center of Chinese government, for almost 500 years.
Forbidden City —
The Forbidden City is the imperial palace that served as the home of emperors and their households, as well as the ceremonial and political center of Chinese government, for almost 500 years.
Lintao Zhang/Getty Images
Built in 1416, the Forbidden City was the seat of supreme power until 1911.
Forbidden City —
Built in 1416, the Forbidden City was the seat of supreme power until 1911.
A women's drum troupe performs in front of Beijing's ancient Bell Tower, used for time keeping in Beijing for centuries.
Bell Tower —
A women's drum troupe performs in front of Beijing's ancient Bell Tower, used for time keeping in Beijing for centuries.
The Summer Palace, pictured from Kunming Lake, was first built in 1750. It was mostly destroyed in the war of 1860 and rebuilt in its original location in 1886.
Summer Palace —
The Summer Palace, pictured from Kunming Lake, was first built in 1750. It was mostly destroyed in the war of 1860 and rebuilt in its original location in 1886.
But many places emblematic of old Beijing, including many hutong, Beijing's traditional courtyard housing, are threatened by modernity. Pictured is a street view of Guowang Hutong, which is located near Beijing's historic Drum and Bell Towers.
Guowang Hutong —
But many places emblematic of old Beijing, including many hutong, Beijing's traditional courtyard housing, are threatened by modernity. Pictured is a street view of Guowang Hutong, which is located near Beijing's historic Drum and Bell Towers.
Peter Tan, owner of Kaffa Cafe, one of numerous small coffee shops, restaurants and boutiques hidden in alleyways outside old courtyard homes.
Kaffa Cafe —
Peter Tan, owner of Kaffa Cafe, one of numerous small coffee shops, restaurants and boutiques hidden in alleyways outside old courtyard homes.
Every day in a park in western Beijing called Purple Bamboo (Zizhuyuan in Chinese) groups gather to dance the tango, the waltz and the foxtrot.
Zizhuyuan park dancers —
Every day in a park in western Beijing called Purple Bamboo (Zizhuyuan in Chinese) groups gather to dance the tango, the waltz and the foxtrot.
The dancers show that culture in China's capital is, above all, resilient.
Zizhuyuan park dancers —
The dancers show that culture in China's capital is, above all, resilient.
A blind man plays the erhu, a traditional Chinese instrument, in the entrance of a Beijing subway station.
Subway busker —
A blind man plays the erhu, a traditional Chinese instrument, in the entrance of a Beijing subway station.
The Bamboo Garden Hotel is located in courtyard homes that were once the residences of the postmaster general of the late Qing Dynasty (1644 -1912).
Bamboo Garden Hotel —
The Bamboo Garden Hotel is located in courtyard homes that were once the residences of the postmaster general of the late Qing Dynasty (1644 -1912).
Located north of the Drum and Bell Towers in Wudaoying Hutong is Brand Nu, a store carrying locally produced crafts as well as second-hand clothing and books. Proceeds are donated to help rural women in China.
Brand Nu —
Located north of the Drum and Bell Towers in Wudaoying Hutong is Brand Nu, a store carrying locally produced crafts as well as second-hand clothing and books. Proceeds are donated to help rural women in China.
"798 Art District" is a Chinese contemporary art compound in the Dashanzi district of Beijing. The area is now a thriving arts hub.
798 Art District —
"798 Art District" is a Chinese contemporary art compound in the Dashanzi district of Beijing. The area is now a thriving arts hub.
Three Shadows Photography Art Centre in Caochangdi is the first space in China to focus exclusively on photo and video art. The buildings that house the galleries were designed by Ai Weiwei.
Three Shadows Photography Arts Centre —
Three Shadows Photography Art Centre in Caochangdi is the first space in China to focus exclusively on photo and video art. The buildings that house the galleries were designed by Ai Weiwei.
A vendor waits for customers at Panjiayuan antique market, where you can buy anything from Ming Dynasty pottery to souvenirs from the Cultural Revolution.
Panjiayuan antique market —
A vendor waits for customers at Panjiayuan antique market, where you can buy anything from Ming Dynasty pottery to souvenirs from the Cultural Revolution.