China: Enter a dragon's heart

As the Year of the Tiger hits the home straight, the striking Chinese capital of Beijing may well beckon as a must-see destination on your New Year list.
Invaded and conquered by Genghis Khan, esteemed by Marco Polo, reconstructed by the Ming Dynasty, courted by the West and plunged into chaos by Chairman Mao - Beijing's history is astounding.
As the city surges ever faster and higher, rest assured that its rich preserve of cultural and historic sightseeing treasures have not been shoved aside in the march of progress.
Tiananmen Square is the sprawling canvas in the heart of Beijing, surrounded by a catalogue of imperial and communist monuments.
Tiananmen actually refers to the Ming Dynasty gate at the entrance to the square where Mao Zedong proclaimed the founding of the People's Republic in 1949. A huge portrait of Mao still hangs from the colourful gate, while across the square his mausoleum continues to attract enormous crowds. Flanked by revolutionary statues, the building contains the embalmed body of Mao, which is on show in his refrigerated casket every morning and afternoon.
Adjacent to Tiananmen Square is the magnificently imposing Forbidden City. For 500 years, the Forbidden City was the symbolic centre of the Chinese universe, with 24 emperors ruling the nation from the imperial court. I particularly love the highly decorative Hall of Supreme Harmony, which was used only for especial occasions such as the enthronement of an emperor. The Forbidden City has 9999 rooms because nine is a particularly fortunate number in Chinese belief.
One of the most conspicuous features of the carvings are the plethora of Chinese dragons. The five-clawed dragon was a symbol of good fortune and represented the emperor's supreme power.
The Temple of Heaven is arguably the most-loved of the Ming Dynasty's architectural contributions. Under Ming and Qing rule, it was used as a vast stage for solemn rites to be performed by the Son of Heaven, who would pray for good harvests, seek divine clearance and atone for the sins of the people.
The temple is now set among a lush urban parkland, which makes for a great escape from the smog and throng of mega-city life.
If you're in danger of feeling "templed out", make sure you see the Summer Palace. Built for the Qing Dynasty as a summer retreat from the stifling confines of the Forbidden City, this sprawling parkland is Beijing's grandest oasis.
In addition to the palatial towers and pavilions, the greatest drawcard is the Marble Boat. Emperor Cixi, no stranger to extravagance, diverted funds earmarked for the Imperial Navy to construct this floating work of art for his personal pleasure.
Tombs fascinating places for living to explore

Beyond central Beijing, I  recommend a sightseeing tour to the Ming tombs. The  burial site is the final resting place of 13 of the 16 Ming emperors 50km northwest of the city centre.
The site was originally selected because of its perfect feng shui layout, with a ridge of mountains cradling the tombs. This  peaceful place is elegantly furnished with timeless carvings and memorials. The long promenade approach to the tombs, the Spirit Way, is festooned with statues of soldiers, animals and mythical beasts.
A number of tombs have been excavated and the tomb of the longest reigning Ming emperor, Ding Ling, has been opened for public view. His threaded gold crown with two carved dragons is one of the major showpieces.
The Great Wall of China is unquestionably Beijing's most prized drawcard. An enduring symbol of China's historic detachment and sense of vulnerability, the Great Wall slithers through the countryside over deserts, hills and mountains for several thousand miles. 
Beijing abounds with wildlife, although aside from the pandas at the National Zoo, many of their living creatures are primarily the focus of human consumption.
The Donghuamen Night Market  offers all manner of delicacies ranging from fried grasshoppers and quail's eggs to strawberry kebabs and Mongolian cheese. This  mish-mash of tastes and aromas is not for the faint-hearted.

TOP TIPS

* Air New Zealand flies direct from Auckland to Beijing, with well-timed overnight flights. For further details check out best available fares at www.airnz.co.nz
* The shoulder months of March, April, October and November are the best time to pay a visit to China's stunning capital.