The sprawling city of Beijing is China at its most dynamic, where high-rise offices, glittering shopping complexes and eight-lane freeways herald the march of modernity upon the populous capital. But the city also brims with 3,000 years of history, enshrined in a collection of time-honoured relics that present a fascinating distinction between modern living and old-world charm.

Conveniently located from Pan Pacific Beijing, travellers can take a walk through politics at Tiananmen Square before marvelling at the architectural wonders of the renowned Forbidden City. For some quiet repose, the dignified complex of the Temple of Heaven is rich in religious symbolism for the Chinese.

Winding grey stone alleyways known as hutongs provide an atmospheric experience of local life, while Wangfujing, a pulsating commercial street, comes alive at night with a myriad of entertainment, shopping and dining options, easily accessible from Pan Pacific Beijing which is renowned as one of the best Beijing hotels near Forbidden City.