Dubbed as one of the world’s great cities, the Chinese capital of Beijing enjoys the unparalleled position of being the country’s chief political and ethnic stronghold for centuries. Known for its famed universities and splendid castles, towering stone facades and temples and the 2008 Olympics, Beijing is an inherent part of China’s past and present.  And as such this metropolitan jumbo is home to some of the nation’s key attractions.

A trip to Beijing would be incomplete without a visit to the Forbidden City (Imperial Palace) and Kubla Khan’s Beihai Park (Beihai Gongyuan) and Gong Wang Fu Palace. The Lama Temple and Old Summer Palace also known as Yuanmingyuan are also worth the visit in addition to the iconic Bird’s Nest Stadium and historic Tiananmen Square.

Another must-see locale in China’s bustling capital is the Beijing Aquarium. Set within the gates of the sprawling Beijing Zoo in a giant construction of vibrant orange and ocean blue the Beijing Aquarium is spread across 29.7 acres. Officially dubbed the largest inland aquarium, it plays host to over 1,000 aquatic species and freshwater fish varieties. Separated in to seven sections, the aquarium comprises of the Shark Harbour, Rainforest Adventure, Wonder of Coral Reefs and the Rare Chinese Sturgeon Hall in addition to the Touch Pool, Marine Theatre and the Whales and Globefish Hall.

The Rainforest Adventure is ideal for children and nature enthusiasts as it recreates the atmosphere of walking within an Amazon rainforest complete with inland rivers, twenty-two tanks with over 100 varieties of freshwater fish species.  The popular residents of this enclave include enormous salamanders, sea elephants and blood parrot fish.

The Wonder of Coral Reefs gives one the feeling of being under the sea with its overhead tunnels where fish and colourful inhabitants of the aquarium swimming overhead. For those who dare, Beijing Aquarium also houses a Shark Harbour which offers mind blowing interactive activities with these killers of the sea. Available activities include shark feeding, diving excursions as well as opportunities to dance with the sharks! Marine life aficionados would be amiss if they did not venture in to the Rare Chinese Sturgeon Hall which is home to the Chinese sturgeons unique to the Yangtze River while the Whales and Globefish Hall offers unhindered views of killer whales, sea lions and dolphins going about their daily routines Grand Millennium Beijing is the ideal base for those who are looking for a luxury Beijing hotel close to the aquarium. Owing to its advantageous location the hotel also offers easy access to all of the city’s prominent attractions.