Exciting rich and kaleidoscopically colorful Beijing is a must-visit for travelers to China. This is the place to experience China s economic boom and see how the city has fueled the country s artistic culinary and sociological revolutions. Here travelers hurtle through the centuries from courtyard-lined hutongs to breathtaking skyscrapers from the ancient Forbidden City to the Dashaizi 798 Art District Beijing s gallery-packed answer to New York City s Chelsea art district. To help navigate this popular destination (China is the fifth most-visited country in the world) Fodor s Beijing showcases the top experiences along with savvy travel advice to make a visit to Beijing an experience of a lifetime. -EXPANDED COVERAGE: Fodor s Beijing keeps pace with the latest and greatest from Beijing s ever-expanding subway system to the best pedicab tours; from awe-inspiring performances at the Peking Opera to the hottest new nightclub on Lake Houhai (and where to go for a healing tai-chi session the morning after). Fodor s on-the spot experts cover it all as well as which palace-hotels roll out the red carpet for business leaders and which restaurants offer the spice-infused Imperial Banquet. -HELPFUL TRANSLATIONS: Each property is listed with Chinese characters and Pinyin (the official phonetics system for transliteration) as well as its English name to make navigating the city easier. -ILLUSTRATED FEATURES: Full-color magazine-style features highlight distinctive aspects of Beijing s culture and history including an illustrated layout of the Forbidden City the lowdown on Chinese cuisine and a guide to getting the most out of a visit to the Great Wall. -INDISPENSABLE TRIP PLANNING TOOLS: Neighborhood overviews with easy-to-read color maps top things to do and tips for getting around help travelers plan their stays. Best Bets charts for restaurants and hotels and features on top attractions top experiences fabulous festivals and what to do with kids help prioritize what to see and do in this fascinating city. -DISCERNING RECOMMENDATIONS: Fodor s Beijing offers savvy advice and recommendations from local writers to help travelers make the most of their time. Fodor s Choice designates our best picks from hotels to nightlife. -ABOUT FODOR S AUTHORS: Each Fodor s travel guide is researched and written by local experts.