Summer Palace

An hour’s drive from downtown, this palace is where the rulers of old stayed on their vacations. Naturally, they commandeered the best spot. The buildings are arranged around a lake, which in turn is surrounded by grassy hills. If time is tight, this can be left off the itinerary, as you’d need a half-day just for the journey and ample time to walk around, enjoying the ambiance as well as the architecture. Avoid weekends—it can sometimes seem as if all of Beijing has come out for a stroll.