Source: CCTV.com

04-16-2009 08:47

The National Palace Museum and the Summer Palace are well known to visitors from around the world. But since the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics, a whole new raft of places have become highlights of the capital's skyline. A nationwide campaign has been launched to select the top 16 places in Beijing.

A nationwide campaign has been launched to select the top 16 places in Beijing.

Alongside the Great Wall, and the National Palace Museum, places like the Bird's Nest, the Water Cube and the National Center for the Performing Arts have become must-see venues for tourists from around the country. A campaign to choose the 16 venues that best represent Beijing kicked off last Saturday. So far it's received over 200-thousand votes online.

The candidates cover a wide range, from historical sites to noted parks and exhibition halls. The Olympic venues, the 7-9-8 art compound, and Sanlitun Mall have captured the bulk of the public's attention.

Places like the Bird's Nest, the Water Cube and the National Center for the Performing Arts have become must-see venues for tourists from around the country.

Li Feng, the manager of CTRIP Travel Agency said, "So far the Bird's Nest has topped the list, surpassing the National Palace Museum which has usually ranked No.1 in the past. The 7-9-8 art compound has made it into the top 10, which reflects the change in the public's taste."

So far the top three are the Bird's Nest, the National Palace Museum and the Water Cube. The deadline for the first round of voting will be May the 10th, by which time the top 60 places will be announced. They will be cut down to 30 by June the 9th. And the final 16 will be decided by further online voting and by a panel of experts.

Editor:Zhao Yanchen