China is more than just a country; it is a world unto itself. It has only been recently that China has opened her doors to world commerce and tourism. China achieved the honorable distinction of being host to the 2008 Summer Olympics that will attract visitors from around the globe.

The games won’t be the only attraction in the city of Beijing. It is a thriving metropolis that is steeped in history and culture. The youth of Beijing have finally been permitted to access the outside world and are enjoying the new privileges that the new millennium has brought into being.

One can see investors from many lands, copies of designer T-shirts, mobile phone toting hipsters and expats that are ready to mix it up with the bureaucracy.

If you are planning to visit Beijing this summer, be sure you include some noteworthy sites on your itinerary. Tienanmen Square is a must see as it is steeped in history. Museums you won’t want to miss include the Beijing Ancient Architecture Museum and the Beijing Natural History Museum.

If you are interested in the creatures that share our world take a trip to the Beijing Aquarium or visit the Beijing Zoo. The Beijing Botanical Gardens will be lush with plant life and at Beihai Park you can stretch out your legs.

If art is your passion be sure to visit 798 Art District and if your interests are of a higher plane then visit the Ancient Observatory or the Beijing  Planetarium for a look at the stars.

Dining and shopping options will tempt you to spend until you can’t spend anymore. There is so much to see and do while you are in Beijing for the games you may just forget that The 2008 Summer Olympics is the reason you came here in the first place.