Location of BeijingBeijing is the nation's political, economic, cultural and educational center as well as China's most important center for international trade and communications.
Beijing is one of the six ancient capital cities in China, the other five previous capitals include: Xi'an, Luoyang, Kaifeng, Nanjing and Hangzhou. It has been the heart and soul of politics and society throughout its long history, therefore there is an unparalleled wealth of richness to delight and intrigue travelers as they explore Beijing's ancient past and enjoy its exciting modern development.
Beijing has been the capital of the People's Republic of China since 1949 and is located in northern China, close to Tianjin Municipality and bordering Hebei Province. The city covers an area of more than 16,410 square kilometers (6336 square miles) and has a population of 14.93 million people.
Beijing has four distinct seasons, and spring and autumn are suitable time for traveling there. But autumn is taken as peak tourist season due to the serve sandstorms that affect Beijing throughout the spring. So we suggest tourists visit Beijing during the months of May, September, and October when people can enjoy temperate weather and blue skies. This period is also a height of the Beijing cultural calendar. However, Beijing still retains its charm through the winter months, a common itinerary for visitors to Beijing in winter is skiing in Beihai and soaking up the spectacular snow-covered landscapes of the West Hill, and then enjoying a heart-warming hotpot is an ideal way to enjoy the capital. Beijing often reaches below zero temperatures in winter so bringing your heavy garments is a must.
How can one city boast so many astonishing destinations? Beijing's long and illustrious history stretches back some 500,000 years, when ancestors of modern Homo sapiens inhabited the area. 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.
For more than 800 years, Beijing was a capital city - from the Yuan Dynasty (1271 - 1368) during the Ming (1368 - 1644) and Qing (1644 - 1911) dynasties. Thirty-four emperors have lived and ruled the nation in Beijing and it has been an important trading city from its earliest days.
Although now Beijing is a modern and fashionable city complete with a full 21st Century cityscape, you can experience authentic Beijing life and become acquainted with the 'old Beijing' by exploring its many teahouses, temples, Hutongs and Courtyards and of course enjoy the Peking Opera.
After your Beijing tour, you will be left with a feeling of special appreciation in your heart for this ancient city that has truly seen it all and tells its story with matchless grace and charm.
With the biggest central square in the world - Tian'anmen Square, the Forbidden City, the largest and best-preserved imperial palace complex, a superbly preserved section of the Great Wall, as well as the largest pagan religious temple in the world - the Temple of Heaven, Beijing attracts both domestic and foreign visitors who all come to wonder at its centuries-old unique culture and historical relics.
Dwelling too much on the historical past of Beijing may give tourists the false impression that it is little more than an ancient city in style but this is definitely not so! Strolling around Beijing, you'll find it has much in common with any other great metropolitan centre across the world. There are towering skyscrapers; busy shopping malls and an endless stream of traffic that makes which represent the touchstones of any modern, developed urban-hub.
The most famous and popular commercial districts and pedestrian malls are predominantly located near the Yansha Shopping Mall, including: Tiananmen and Wangfujing Street, Guomao Shopping Mall, Qianmen Street and Xidan Street, etc. From a culinary perspective nowhere else on earth will you find such a variety of gourmet Chinese restaurants offering the very best of the eight different styles of Chinese cuisine as well as western style dishes. Modern hotels abound, each offering the highest standards of service and convenience.
After a day's exploration of the city, night time in Beijing presents its own richness and array of unique experiences. These can vary from traditional performances such as the Peking Opera, acrobatics and martial arts to modern ones including concerts, ballroom dancing, pubs and clubs. Each and every one has its individual enchantment for the visitors from every corner of the earth.
No description of our capital city is complete without mention of the friendly people who inhabit Beijing. Everywhere you will encounter smiling faces and a warm welcomes, especially from the children who love to say 'Hello!' All these things add up to truly make your visit a cultural experience of a lifetime.
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