CCTV Tower---Modern Wonder
The CCTV Tower is located in the mid-road of the West Third Ring. To its east is picturesque Yu Yuan Tan Park and famous Diao Yu Tai; To its south is the newly-built Beijing West Railway Station; To its north is the famous Summer Palace. The tower is 405 meters high which makes it the fifth highest tower of the world. It is a comprehensive building with the functions of sending broadcasting and TV programs, sightseeing and entertainment. The broad landing stage square, white marble ring corridor palace-lantern-shaped-towers and the tower base with the shape of Hall of Prayer for Good Harvest always make visitors reluctant to leave.
The CCTV tower is one of the modern wonders of Beijing. If this were any less of a city, with fewer attractions, the tower would feature heavily in any tourist promotions. As it is, there are so many things to see in Beijing, especially of historical and cultural interest, the poor old tower tends to get overlooked.
The CCTV tower not surprisingly is the home of many TV and Radio station broadcasts, including CCTV1 thru CCTV9. From the top you can see a wide view of the western area of Beijing. The tower is not near the center so practically all major Beijing landmarks are not usually visible. There are two levels to the tower. One is for observation, another is a revolving restaurant which is not too expensive but not too fancy either.
At the base of the tower and across the main road you will find a rather pretty little park. Here you can rent boats or just stroll along the shore. From the park you can get a great view, and picture of the tower in all its glory. At night it is illuminated to some degree.
Admission fee: RMB 50/person
Opening hours: 08:30~22:00
Transportation
1. The tower is in the western suburbs of Beijing and can be reached by subway by getting off at the Gong Zhu Fen (110) Line 1 station and walking north 15 to 20 minutes.
2. Alternatively you can get a taxi. From the center of Beijing to the tower will cost you from RMB 20 to RMB 25.