Yes, there are temples, monuments and squares to explore in Beijing, but if you want to soak up some of the culture during a trip to the Olympics you'd best make a booking for these highlights…

Beijing Opera

More commonly known as Peking Opera, Beijing Opera is regarded as the highest expression of Chinese culture. The art-form, which arose in the 18th century, combines singing, musical dialogue, acrobatics, martial arts and magnificent costumes. The performers are evaluated – above all else – according to the grace of their movements.

With themes revolving around Chinese culture, history, folklore and, increasingly, contemporary life and a repertoire of over 1400 works, Chinese Opera is the perfect way to immerse yourself in the culture. However, you would be well advised to read up on the basics beforehand as the conventions are highly stylised.

Beijing Roast Duck Dinner

Roast duck is a Beijing specialty that can be traced back to the Yuan dynasty (1206 – 1368), when it was first listed on the imperial menu.

The ducks are force-fed in cages so that the meat is tender. They are then roasted on an oven that only uses the wood of fruit trees such as date, peach and pear to give the meat its unique fragrance. The whole duck is then cut into 120 slices and served with pancakes, cucumber and shallot slices and a plum sauce.

Shopping

With pretty much everything made in China, it is hardly surprising that the capital offers some spectacular shopping experiences. Visit the 700-year old commercial Wangfujing Street — located to the east of Tian’anmen Square — which is home to roughly 280 famous Beijing brands selling everything from shoes and silk cloth to tea and pickled vegetables.

Liulichang Culture Street, which is a few minutes walk south of the Hepingmen subway station, is an antique collector’s paradise. The traditional cultural market sells jewellery, antiques, ancient calligraphies and paintings. The most well-known shop on the street is the 300-year-old Rong Bao Zhai, which sells authentic paintings and calligraphies.

Silk Alley (Xiushui Street) — situated near the US Embassy — accommodates over 1700 retail vendors and although it has recently been revamped, it is still notorious for cheap counterfeit goods. So, if you want to stock up on those (fake) designer goods, this is where you should start.

Teahouses

Tea has been a deeply-rooted part of Chinese culture since it first rose to popularity in the Tang dynasty more than 1000 years ago. The tea ceremonies are performed by highly skilled individuals and regarded, not only as a means of improving the taste of the tea, but also as an art-form. Teahouses also act as a stage for folk art, Beijing Opera, acrobatics and puppet shows.

Interrupt your sightseeing and stop off at Lao She Teahouse (10 minutes walk from Tian’anmen Square) where you can watch the masterful tea ceremonies whilst sipping on jasmine tea. Or visit one of the numerous Wufu Teahouses — simple and elegant, these popular teahouses are decorated with antique furniture and are reputed to focus exclusively on the tea ceremonies.