Built in 1959, it faces the embassy area on the eastern side of the 3rd Ring Road. There are dozens of hotels and restaurants near the center. It is the only largescale garden-style exhibition center in the country and features typical Chinese architectural style. Covering 52 hectares, it is densely wooded and various blossoms enchant visitors for most part of the year.
International Exhibition Center
Loc a t ed a t J ing" anzhuang of northern 3rd Ring Road, it is one of the biggest modern exhibition centers in the country. With an exhibition capacity of 170,000 sq m, it has seven halls, among which the Number One hall covers more than 50,000 sq m.
Fayuan Temple
At th e s o u th e r n e n d o f J i a o z i Hutong of the Fayuansiqian Street, it is the oldest existing temple in downtown Beijing. Emperor Taizong, founder of Tang Dynasty, ordered the construction of the Minzhong Temple in AD 645. In 1734, Emperor Yo n g z h e n g o f Qi n g Dy n a s t y expanded the temple and renamed it Fayuan — Source of Buddhist Law. The China Buddhism College and China Buddhism Books and Cultural Relics Library are located in the temple. The Minzhong Mansion built in the Tang Dynasty collapsed before the 14th century. There are some broken stone tablets belonging to the original Minzhong Temple.
Cultural Palace of Nationalities
Lying on the northern side of Fuxingmen Inner Street, the architecture features strong ethnic style. Many exhibitions about the 56 nationalities of China are held at the exhibition hall, library and museum in the building.
Libraries
National Library of China
At Zhongguancun South Street of Haidian District, the library has collected some 20 million volumes in its 19 stories above ground and three stories underground, which have a total floor area of 60,000 sq m. Listed as one of the world"s ten biggest libraries, it has 46 reading rooms on different focuses, attracting nearly 10,000 readers everyday. The national library"s new building opened to the public in Sep 2008, increasing the library"s total floor space to 250,000 sq m, making it the world"s third largest library. The new building displays ancient books and provides readers with wireless access to the Internet besides many other latest technologies.
Residences of celebrities
Former Residence of Soong Ching Ling
Taking up 20,000 sq m at No 46 of the northern rim of Houhai Lake, it is the largest residence of a celebrity in Beijing. Madame Soong Ching Ling (1893-1981) was the wife of Dr Sun Yat-Sen, Father of the Republic of China. She lived here from 1963 till May 29, 1981, when she passed away at 88. She established a foundation for children"s education.
Lu Xun Museum
Lu Xun (1881-1936), or Zhou Shuren, is a highly acclaimed modern writer, thinker and revolutionist. He is a native of Shaoxing, East China"s Zhejiang Province. The museum lies at Xisantiao of Fuchengmen Inner Street. It has collected 21,100 relics and 13,000 books.
Residence of Lao She
Lao She (1899-1966) is the penname of Shu Qingchun, one of the most important modern writers of China whos e wr i t ing focus ed on the common people of old Beijing. His residence is at the No 19 courtyard of Fengfu Hutong, Dengshikou West Street. It displays the works and life of Lao She.
Residence of Mao Dun
The small courtyard of typical Beijing style at No 13, Houyuan"ensi Hutong, Jiaodaokou South Street was home to famous writer Mao Dun in the last few years of his life. Mao Dun (1896-1981) is the penname of Shen Dehong, who also styled himself Yanbing. He had been the Cultural Minister of China and Chairman of China Writers" Association.
Residence of Guo Moruo
The courtyard at No 18 of Qianhai West Street to the west of Shichahai Lake used to be part of the Residence of Prince Gong and takes up 7,000 sq m. From 1963, Guo Moruo (1892-1978) spent the last 15 years of his life at the wellmaintained courtyard. He has been lauded as the country"s most famous writer, playwright, poet, archaeologist, expert of ancient Chinese written characters and social activist.
Memorial of Xu Beihong
Xu Beihong (1895-1953) was one of the country"s most important modern painters and art educators. He successfully combined the skills of traditional Chinese painting with Western arts. His works, especially those on horses, feature great skills. The memorial was relocated from Shoulu Street of Dongcheng District to Xinjiekou North Street. It displays the life, works and collection of the painter.
Memorial of Guo Shoujing
Guo Shoujing (1231-1316), an astronomer and expert of water conservancy, once lived at the Huitong Memorial on the northern rim of Xihai Lake, presiding over the water conservancy work of the whole country. Old Beijing"s complex waterway system was accomplished under his instruction. The memorial was refurnished during the rule of Emperor Qianlong (1711-1799) in the Qing Dynasty. The elegant building complex has three exhibition rooms to display Guo"s achievements.
Memorial of Cao Xueqin
Cao Xueqin (1724-1764) is known for his classic novel A Dream of the Red Chamber depicting a declining noble family"s life in the mid-Qing Dynasty. The descendant of a high-ranking official spent most of his life in poverty. At the Fragrant Hill of Beijing"s western suburbs, he spent ten years working on the great novel. The memorial is located at No 39, Zhengbaiqi of Fragrant Hill.
Memorial of Mei Lanfang
Mei Lanfang (1894-1961) is the best-known master of Peking Opera specializing in young female role. The memorial is built in a courtyard on Huguosi Street of Xicheng District, where Mei Lanfang once resided for ten years. It houses some 30,000 items like letters, paintings, calligraphy works, manuscripts and costumes. There are some invaluable photos showing Mei Lanfang with famous Chinese and foreign actors and dramatists. Also on display are the performance program lists that Mei staged in his life.
Residence of Cheng Yanqiu