Originally Posted by
moondog
if I ever got shut out of the Forbidden City, I'd simply start off in Jingshan (to grab that choice photo against the Forbidden City in the background) and then Beihai instead, and maybe use the money saved on tickets to rent a boat.
The Renaissance Beijing Wangfujing has nice views of the area from the executive lounge. So go enjoy your beer there, and then head to Taipei to see the treasures.