A Baroque temple and one of the most important centres of pilgrimage of Christendom. It is also an artistic centre of prime importance with iconic artwork from a variety of eras. The frescoes of the vault of the Coreto and the Regina Martyrhum dome were painted by Goya.

For a glimpse of a uniquely Chinese form of entertainment, head to Chaoyang Theatre to watch traditional acrobatics. The one-hour show includes feats with bicycles, chairs, and other daring stunts that have been perfected over generations.

One of Beijing’s oldest hutongs — the city’s traditional narrow alleyways lined with courtyard houses — Nanluoguxiang has kept its Ming dynasty street layout while changing completely in character. Today, the lane is dotted with cafés, bars, boutiques, and souvenir shops, drawing a mix of tourists and young locals. It runs from Drum Tower East Street down to Ping’an Street, and it’s usually packed in the evenings when the lights come on. The old courtyards are still there behind the modern shopfronts, so you get a contrast between Beijing’s past and its current street life.

This garden has been around since the 1800s and holds about 10,000 plant species. The main greenhouse is a highlight—step inside and it’s like a mini rainforest with tropical plants from South America and beyond.