Beijing - formerly known as Peking - has been a hive of activity. Glimpses of the Beijing National Stadium and the Olympic Village in the Chaoyang District have tantalised the world's sporting public for some time. From the periphery, the massive National Stadium looks unfinished. But to design-conscious observers, this striking $US400 million steel-framed structure - known as the "bird's nest" - is architectural genius and where 100,000 people will witness the grand opening and closing ceremonies, as well as athletics events.

The adjoining "water cube" is the Beijing Olympic Swimming Centre, home to all swimming, diving and water polo events. The building's exterior resembles a series of coloured bubbles, while the interior houses diving platforms, no fewer than five Olympic-sized swimming pools and seating for some 17,000 spectators.

BEIJING

SIGHTS TO SEE
With the recent opening of the Norman Foster-designed Terminal 3 at Beijing International Airport, arriving in Beijing is easier now than ever before. Home to more than 15 million people, Beijing offers an excellent selection of historic sites and attractions. Tiananmen Square - the scene of numerous protests and in 1989, great tragedy - is the place to start. Presided over by Chairman Mao standing watch at Tiananmen Gate, expect to be staggered by the size of this landmark. Within, the Mao Mausoleum has housed the embalmed remains of Chairman Mao since his death in 1976, even though he had requested to be cremated. Both Chinese citizens and foreigners still line up to pay their respects to the "father of modern China".

Pass through Tiananmen Gate to the Forbidden City - once the Chinese imperial palace and home to 24 emperors, from the 15th century Ming Dynasty to the fall of the Qing dynasty in 1911. Once off-limits to commoners, the world's largest surviving palace complex is now open for all to see. An ideal vantage point to view ancient buildings, it covers some 72 hectares. And while some structures have changed over time, there are still many architectural treasures to admire.

One of the best sights in Beijing is the Summer Palace, located 12 kilometres northwest of Beijing's city centre. Built within a huge park, it was once used by Chinese emperors as a retreat in the summer months, as Kunming Lake - which occupies much of the site - would help cool stifling temperatures. One of the lake's features is a 17-arch bridge spanning 150 metres to reach the shores of the South Lake Island.

The Great Wall of China is indeed great in many ways. It took some 2,000 years to complete, with building works documented as early as the 6th century. Spanning more than 6,700 kilometres, it winds its way from Shanhaiguan in the east to Lop Nur in the west. Following the southern border of Inner Mongolia, the wall was constructed to protect China from invading northern forces. In most parts of the country the wall is crumbling, but close to Beijing it has been reconstructed for visitors to admire. The most visited area is the northern pass of Juyongguan -known as Badaling - 80 kilometres from Beijing. Another option is to book a reliable taxi or hire a driver and drive two hours outside of Bejing to visit the most interesting sections. Jinshanling offers great views and you can walk along the wall for miles. Simatai is another section of the wall worth visiting, but it's very steep so not recommended for the elderly or people with injuries. Quiet Mutianyu is two and-a-half hours from Beijing and provides access to the wall via a chairlift for part of the way and then an exhilarating toboggan ride for the descent. Contrary to popular belief the Great Wall can't be seen from the moon, but it is visible from space.

Tours to the Great Wall should include a visit to the Ming Tombs - a mausoleum of the 13 Ming Dynasty Emperors (AD1368 AD1644). Only the Changling and Dingling tombs are open to the public.

EAT & DRINK
Peking duck is one of the capital's most prized dishes. Experts suggest it's because of the quality of the ducks - which are fattened on grain and soybeans prior to slaughtering. Head to the most famous restaurant of them all - Quanjude Roast Duck Restaurant (Tel: 8610 6701 1379). They've been roasting ducks since 1864 and recently opened an outlet in Melbourne, Australia. If you're after a traditional feast, visit Beijing Gong (Tel: +8610 6524 4202, http://www.beijinggong.com/) offering authentic imperial cuisine - reservations are a must. The sister outlet in Singapore (Tel: 6323 3206) is a good place to flex your taste buds before you travel.

In addition to traditional delights, virtually every style of food is served in this cosmopolitan city. St Regis (Tel: 8610 6460 6688, www.stregis.com) is home to Beijing's best Italian restaurant - Danieli's and the impressive Astor Grill. But the best way to explore Beijing's restaurant scene is to start with the establishments within your hotel and venture out once you have your bearings. A good resource is http://www.travelchinaguide.com/, which lists restaurants both by location and culinary style.

Beijing offers a vibrant nightlife in areas such as Santitum or Hao Hai. Check out Babyface - the jury's still out on this nightspot, but if you like your music loud and want to be seen, it could be the place. Aria Jazz and Wine Bar in the smart China World Hotel serves food, wine and dishes up sultry jazz, Cabo Restaurant and Bar focuses on salsa, seafood and salted margaritas, while Havana Café promises a cleansing ale and tasty barbecue menu served within a relaxed beer garden.

STAY
The recently-opened Westin Beijing Chaoyang (Tel: 8610 5922 8888, www.starwood.com) is as sophisticated as five-star hotels come. Traders Beijing (Tel: 8610 6505 2277, www.shangri-la.com) is located in Haidian - the financial heart of Beijing - and is popular with corporate guests who appreciate free broadband and outdoor dining. St Regis (Tel: 8610 6460 6688, www.starwoodhotels.com/stregis) is centrally located and offers a superior, club-like atmosphere. And Four Seasons (www.fourseasons.com) is due to open shortly in Beijing's diplomatic and commercial centre. For contemporary style, check into Asia Pacific's first aloft hotel - aloft Beijing (Tel: +8610 8846 0206, www.starwoodhotels.com) - a stylish representation of modern design and innovation.

SHANGHAI

SIGHTS TO SEE
International visitors will arrive at Pudong International Airport, while most domestic flights still use the old Shanghai Airport - now known as Hongqiao Airport - 13 kilometres from the city centre. Pudong is located 30 kilometres outside of downtown Shanghai, but the connection on the Maglev train - operating from 7am to 9pm daily - takes just eight minutes.

With more than 20 million people, Shanghai is China's most populous city and is also home to the world's busiest port. Once dubbed the "Paris of the Orient", Shanghai is now just as famous as the French capital for those who like to indulge in retail therapy. While Xiang Yang Market on Jin Hui Road is renowned for its plentiful ready-to-wear "designer" clothing and goods, the Dong Jia Du Fabric Market (South Bund market) - formerly known as the Nan Wai Tan Fabric Market - on Lu Jia Bang Road is home to hundreds of tailors offering customised garments. Just make sure you're measured correctly!

Nanjing Road is arguably one of the world's most famous retail thoroughfares and is six kilometres of bliss for shopaholics. Locals say if you can't find what you're looking for here, it probably hasn't been invented yet! At its eastern fringe, Nanjing Road merges with one of Shanghai's greatest landmarks - the Bund. This embankment beside the Huangpu River is lined with historical, stately buildings now occupied by banks, trading houses, embassies and hotels.

Immediately opposite the river is glitzy Pudong, whose skyline is dominated by the towering Oriental Pearl Tower and Jin Mao Building. Developed just over 10 years ago as the new financial hub for modern China, Pudong district now has over 1.5 million residents.

For those seeking a cultural fix, the Shanghai Museum near People's Square is worth a visit. Following extensive renovations, the museum reopened in 1995 and houses the world's finest showcase of Chinese art and antiquities, dating back 5,000 years. Discover old Shanghai by taking a stroll through Xin Tian Di, or drop by the Nan Fang Curio Market to discover a host of unusual treasures, including vintage clothing. For a high octane experience purchase tickets for the Formula 1 Sinopec Chinese Grand Prix on October 17 to 19, held at the Shanghai International Circuit since 2004.

EAT & DRINK
Shanghai offers a glamorous nightlife with most heading to the trendy restaurant and bar action of Xintiandi after dark. But there are also good restaurants and bars in many downtown areas. Visit Face - two restaurants and a bar in an old country house, Bar Rouge - offering an open terrace and great views of the Bund, Cloud 9 in the Grand Hyatt Shanghai - the world's tallest hotel, TMSK, Glamour Bar, Attica, The Shelter, Jade on 36 and T8.

STAY
Westin Bund Centre Shanghai (Tel: +8621 6335 1888, www.starwoodhotels.com) has a regal architecture that's hard to miss. Centrally located near the Bund, this popular hotel is surrounded by designer-label shops and celebrated restaurants. Relax at the Banyan Tree Spa or dine at one of seven restaurants including EEST and Prego. For the ultimate in style, check into JIA Shanghai (Tel: +8621 6217 9000, www.jiashanghai.com). You'll find bespoke furniture, works by local artists and spacious rooms within a stunning 1920s façade, at an inner-city locale within walking distance to Nanjing Road and attractions.

Sheraton Shanghai Hongqiao (Tel: +8621 6275 8888, http://www.starwoodhotels.com/ ) is five-star luxury. Dine at Emerald Garden serving dim sum and Shanghainese delicacies, or opt for the relaxed ambience of the hotel's English-style pub Chelsea Bar. Not far from the Expo Centre is the well-positioned Renaissance Shanghai Pudong (Tel: +8621 3871 4888, www.marriott.com) - a modern hotel which still manages to exude the distinctive style of old Shanghai.

Also in Pudong, Sheraton Shanghai Hotel & Residences Pudong (Tel: 8621 5089 9999, www.starwoodhotels.com) offers fabulous views over the Huangpu River. Dine at China Court or FEAST - offering eclectic cuisine and an open kitchen. Meanwhile, St. Regis Shanghai (Tel: 8621 5050 4567, www.starwoodhotels.com/stregis) is located in the centre of Pudong's financial district and renowned for its signature butler service. Swim in the heated indoor pool and dine on southern Chinese delicacies at Carrianna.

GETTING THERE
Both Air China (http://www.airchina.com.cn/) and Singapore Airlines (http://www.singaporeair.com/) fly direct to Beijing and Shanghai daily.

WHEN TO GO
China experiences warmer temperatures from May to September, although Shanghai is typically hotter than Beijing. Expect annual highs of 33°C and 25°C and lows of -1°C and -4°C respectively.

VISAS
While Singaporean passport holders can now enjoy up to 15 days in China without a visa, foreigners must still apply for a visa through the Embassy of the People's Republic of China (http://www.chinaembassy.org.sg/).

TRAVEL AGENTS
Atrium Eco Travel Tel: 6536 9282, http://www.atriumecotravel.com/
Aveson Travel Tel: 6737 7677, http://www.aveson.com.sg/
Country Holidays Tel: 6334 6120, http://www.countryholidays.com.sg/
Green Island Tours Tel: 6224 2112, http://www.greenisland.com.sg/
Holiday Tours Tel: 6238 2899, http://www.holidaytours-sin.com/