Important Excursions Outside Beijing

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Though technically not a part of Beijing, no visitor to the city should miss the opportunity to get an up-close look at the imposing Great Wall of China. The man-made marvel spans 1,846 miles, and many of the most well preserved portions are a short drive north of Beijing.

The portions of the wall near Beijing are primarily from the Ming Dynasty, and the Badaling section, about 50 miles north of Beijing, is the most visited portion of the entire wall. Walking just a small portion of the wall will give you a tiny glimpse into its massive size.

Another popular tourist destination, the Zhoukoudian Caves lie 25 miles south of Beijing. They have proved to be the source of a magnificent collection of Homo Erectus fossils, representing some 40 individuals. The most famous of the discoveries is commonly known today as “Peking Man” (renamed “Beijing Man” when the city’s moniker was changed). The bones were dated to be somewhere between 250,000 and 400,000 years old. Debate has abounded for years as to whether “Peking Man” was actually an ape, or in fact human.

The majority of the fossils were discovered between 1923 and 1927. Excavations ended in 1937 when the Japanese occupied Beijing prior to World War II. Many of the bones, including those of “Peking Man” were packed to ship to the United States for safekeeping until the end of the war. They were lost en route, and have never been recovered.

Visitors to the Zhoukoudian site on Dragon Bone Hill can view an exhibit of fossils and artifacts depicting human evolution. Tourists can also view the cave where “Peking Man’s” cranium was discovered.

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