China Guide,Brief Introduction to Beijing

As the capital of People's Republic of China, and with a 3,000-year history and 16-million people, Beijing is one of the world's most splendid cities. Covering 16,800 square kilometers in area, it is the political, cultural, educational and economic center of China. And it's also the most important international trade and communication center in China and East Asia.

With a vast blue sea to the east, the Taihang Mountain on the west, adjacent to the River in the south and the Juyong Pass ranging to the north, Beijing enjoys a splendid terrain and location in China. Currently Beijing has 18 districts and counties under its jurisdiction. It is a city rich in products and is a city of which its inhabitants can be deservedly proud.

Beijing's long and illustrious history started some 500,000 years ago. It is here that the ancestors of modern Homo sapiens, Peking Man, lived in caves. Records show that Beijing has been an inhabited city for more than three thousand years and has endured invasions by warlords and foreign powers, devastating fires, the rise and fall of powerful imperial dynasties and has emerged each time as a strong and vibrant city. From the overthrow of the Shang Dynasty (around 16th-11th century B.C.) by King Wu of the Zhou Dynasty, who enfeoffed Prince Zhao to the region of Yan, Beijing has a history of over 3,000 years. Called Ji in ancient times, it was once the capital of the State of Yan in the Spring and Autumn Period (770-476 B.C.). Later, in the Liao Dynasty it was the alternate capital, called Yanjing. In the Jin Dynasty Beijing was formally made its capital, being called Zhongdu. Renamed Dadu in the Yuan Dynasty, later rendered as Jingshi during the Ming and Qing dynasties, it has come to be known as Beijing, meaning "northern capital". Beijing, as a capital from the Jin Dynasty onwards, has already enjoyed a history of over 800 years. Thus, Beijing got its reputation as one of the top 7 ancient capital cities (others including Xi'an, Nanjing, Luoyang, Kaifeng, Hangzhou and Anyang) in the country. The laboring people of previous and ensuing dynasties with their wisdom and hard work have created and left on this piece of land many marvels, splendid cultural relics and objects, and a brilliant legacy of culture.

Many magnificent buildings of classical styles can be found in Beijing, featuring the acme of ancient architecture in china. The city once had double inner and outer city walls built in the Ming Dynasty, which was replaced by the 2nd ring road in 1950s. Although the walls no longer exist, the most important city gates and towers are still intact. Furthermore, the entire complex of the Imperial Palace, the largest of its kind in the world, known as Forbidden City , is still intact and well-preserved by the state. You will also find Temple of Heaven standing in the south of the city and Summer Palace, the former royal summer resort, spreading out in the northwest. The famous Badaling, Mutianyu and Simatai Sections of Great Wall still stretch over the mountain ranges in Yanqing, Huairou and Miyun counties and the Tianshou Mountain area in Changping is dotted with the 13 Ming Tombs. All these now have become renowned tourist attractions for visitors from all the country as well as the world. The Tian'anmen Rostrum and Square, the largest public city square in the world, is the center of Beijing. In its midst towers the Monument to the People's Heroes and in the south stands the Memorial Hall of Chairman Mao Zedong. Flanking the west of the square is the Great Hall of the People (congress building) and on the east is China National Museum (former China History Museum and China Revolution Museum). Tian'anmen Square is now an essential destination for every visitor, both Chinese and foreigners, to Beijing. In addition, the Beihai Park, Jingshan Park and Xiangshan parks as well as the Badachu scenic areas are all renowned tourist attractions in Beijing praised by visitors from all over the world.

Besides the ancient buildings, it will be a surprise to explore Old Hutongs in Beijing (local residents' house area) by rickshaw. Going through the small alleys, chatting with the local people and visiting the kindergarten and local market make you a native of Beijing. Antiques, crafts, and books can be found at Liulichang, an old antique market district remodeled in the 1980's to reflect the style of the old city. Some of the spirit of Old Beijing is also preserved at Qianmen, south of Tian'anmen. There still are stores that date to the early 20th century and even before, including the Tongrentang Traditional Chinese Medicine Store, first established in 1669. There are colorful performances at night, ranging from traditional Beijing Opera, acrobatics and martial arts to modern ones including concerts, ballroom dancing, pubs and nightclubs. The Sanlitun pub street and Houhai pub area are the most popular places for drinking in summer.

Beijing is a rapidly developing city in many fields and great changes are taking place with every passing day in city construction. After the implementation of the policy of reform and opening up to the outside world in late 1970s, Beijing has become the hinge of the national rail network, air transportation and interchanges between the nations of the world. At the same time, it is also the biggest center of science, culture and education in the country. In total, there are 59 colleges and universities. Peking University, Tsinghua University, Renmin University of China and Beijing Normal University, etc. have become the ideal places for further study to numerous domestic and international students.

The 29th Olympic Games will be held here in 2008. To cater to the needs of flooding visitors to Beijing, many star-scaled hotels have been put up in Beijing together with a relatively complete infrastructure in tourism service and catering business. In addition, many ancient buildings are under renovation and repairing work currently for the visitors in Olympics. Beijing is ready with open arms to welcome visitors from far and wide.