Beijing 北京
Water Cube,Night By Jean Wang. Sourced via Flickr under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs License.
Beijing (北京) is the capital city of China. It is one of four Municipalities in China, giving it autonomy form the surrounding province of Hebei. Beijing was also known in the past as Peking or the older name Peiping.. The city is situated in the North of the country on the edge of the Yellow River plains and a short distane form the Bohai Sea. The population of the city is estimated at around 14,230,000 people. All of China's 56 ethnic groups are represented in the city, though the population is 96.5% Han.
An ancient city, Beijing has a long history and a correspondingly large cultural heritage. No less than five UNESCO World Heritage Sites are located in or near to Beijing. These include: The Great Wall of China which passes through the mountains North of the city; The Temple of Heaven; The Imperial palaces aka 'Forbidden City'; The Summer Palace with it's extensive gardens and lakes; The Imperial Tombs of the Ming and Qing dynasty Emperors; and the site where they discovered Peking Man in the Beijing suburb of Zhoukoudian. In addition, there is the Llama Temple, Confucian School, the Drum tower and Bell tower, and the list goes on. In the center of the city, between the Qianmen and Tiananmen gates lies Tiananmen square. This is the worlds largest city square, fully 1km in length.
Tourist Attractions
Below is a list of tourist attractions in Beijing:
Temple of Heaven Park (天坛公园; Tiān Tán Gōng Yuán): Temple Of Heaven Xihutong, Chongwen, Beijing, China. 北京市崇文区天坛西胡同. About 2km south of Tianamen Square, just east of the city. Phone: +86 10-67012402, 67013036, 67028866. One of the most sacred sites of ancient China. The entire site had just one purpose: It was here that the Emperor came to perform the ceremonies for worshipping heaven. This site is now preserved and open to the public. The area surrounding the temple is now parkland. Also within this site is the Museum of Music. This tourist attraction is listed as a UNESCO World Herritage Site. This tourist attraction is rates as AAAAA on China's national tourism scale. The park is open from 06:00 am until 10:00 pm daily however the temples will close by 5:30 pm in summer or 5:00pm in winter with last tickets sold an hour and a half before this time. Entry to the park is 15 RMB per person. A combination ticket for all the temple buildings is 35 RMB
Badaling Great Wall (八达岭长城; bā dá lǐng chángchéng): 80km north west of Beijing city This is the most popular section of the wall for tourists and the easiest location to reach from Beijing city. This section of the wall dates to the Ming dynasty. It was extensivly restored in 1957 and became the first section of wall to be open to the public. It is to here that many of the worlds most important people have visited including Richard Nixon and Queen Elizabeith II of Great Britain among others. The highst point on the wall here reaches an altitude of 1,015m. This tourist attraction is rates as AAAAA on China's national tourism scale. The site is open from 6:30am till 7pm in summer and 7am to 6pm in winter. The admission fee is 45 RMB and the cable car costs 40 RMB each way of 60 RMB return.
Summer Palace (颐和园; Yíhé Yuán): No. 19, Xin-jian-gong-men Road, Haidian District, Beijing, China. 颐和园路. In the north west ouskirts of Beijing. Phone: 0162881144. This was the leisure area of the Emperors of China. It was a particular favourite of the Emperor Dowager Cixi. The gardens were first built in 1750 and repeatedly extended over the next hundred years. In 1860, the Summer Palace was destroyed by Anglo-French troops. It rebuilt and then destroyed again by foreign troops during the Boxer Rebellion of 1900. It was rebuilt and extended again in 1902. The extreme cost of reconstruction is regarded as one of the contributing factors to the fall of the Qing Dynasty just ten years later. This tourist attraction is listed as a UNESCO World Herritage Site. This tourist attraction is rates as AAAAA on China's national tourism scale. Peak season the park gates open from 6:30am to 6pm. The park closes at 8pm. Off peak the gate opening times are from 7am to 5pm and the park closes at 7pm. Peak season entry is 30 yuan, off peak 20 yuan. Additional fees apply for other attractions within the garden. Complete tickets cost 60 yuan peak and 50 yuan off peak.
Forbidden City Palace Museum (故宫博物院; Gùgōng Bówùyuàn): Beijing. Located at the north end of Tian'anmen Square in the very centre of Beijing city. Once the home of the Emperors of China the former palace is now a major tourist attraction. This gigantic site has been preserved and recently heavily restored so as to give a true impression of its historical splendour. This tourist attraction is listed as a UNESCO World Herritage Site. This tourist attraction is rates as AAAAA on China's national tourism scale.
Juyong Pass Great Wall Scenic Area (居庸关长城风景区; jūyōngguān zhǎng chéng fēngjǐngqū): Nankou, Changping District, Beijing, China. 北京市昌平区南口镇居庸关长城管理处. Located in an 18 kilometer-long valley named "Guangou" which is inside Changping County more than 60 kilometers from Beijing City. Phone: +86 10 69771665. Juyong Pass or Juyongguan is one of the three greatest passes of the Great Wall of China. The other two passes are Jiayuguan and Shanhaiguan. This location, in the mountains just north of Beijing, has had strategic importance for thousands of years. The Juyong pass was one of the key fortifications to protect the new capital from the Mongols in the north. This tourist attraction is listed as a UNESCO World Herritage Site. This tourist attraction is rates as AAAA on China's national tourism scale. Open daily 08:30am to 5:00pm Entry is 45 RMB in summer and 40 RMB in winter.
Central Radio and TV Tower (中央广播电视塔; zhōngyāng guǎngbōdiànshì tǎ): Chaoyang Road, Chaoyang district, Beijing, China. 西三环中路. In the east end of the city near to Jintaixijiao subway station on line 10 or Guomao subway station on line 1 and 10. This striking piece of architecture is often used as an example of the new, modern, face of China. The sharp angular, almost futuristic shape of the building, which juts out at the top in a way that seems to defy gravity, leaves a lasting impression on the viewer. This tourist attraction is listed as a UNESCO World Herritage Site. This tourist attraction is rates as AAAA on China's national tourism scale.
Taoranting Park (陶然亭公园; Táo Rántíng gōngyuán): 虎坊路. This tourist attraction is rates as AAAA on China's national tourism scale.
Longqing Gorge Scenic Area (龙庆峡风景区; Lóng Qìngxiá fēngjǐngqū): This tourist attraction is rates as AAAA on China's national tourism scale.
Yanqu Lake Tourist Area (雁栖湖旅游区; yàn qī hú lǚyóuqū): 五一路. This tourist attraction is rates as AAAA on China's national tourism scale.
Tallinn, scenic Yinshan (银山塔林景区; Yín Shān tǎlín jǐngqū): This tourist attraction is rates as AAAA on China's national tourism scale.
Hongluosi Tourist Resort (北京红螺寺旅游度假区; Bĕijīng hóng luó sì lǚ yóu dù jià qū): 红螺山之阳. This tourist attraction is rates as AAAA on China's national tourism scale.
Beijing Zoo (北京动物园; jiāng yuán xiàn gàn fàn pén jǐng qū): 137 Xizhimen Outer Street, Xicheng, Beijing, China 西直门外大街. Beijing Zoo has its own station on the subway system, Line 4. Phone: +86 10 6831 4411. Dating back to 1906 and covering an area of 89 hectares, Beijing Zoo is one of the oldest zoos in China and one of Beijing's most popular tourist attractions. As you would expect in China, the Giant Pandas are the star exhibit here. This tourist attraction is rates as AAAA on China's national tourism scale. Opening times are 07:30am to 6:00pm April to October. In winter the zoo closes one hour earlier. Entry to the zoo costs 15 RMB (Apr. 1 to Oct. 31) and 10 RMB in winter months. The Aquarium entry is an additional 120 RMB.
Museum of Science and Technology of China (中国科学技术馆; zhǎng bái xiàn zhǎng bái cháo xiān zú mín sú cūn): 北三环中路1号. Phone: 0110-0-0-6262362337110-110-6-770-62. This tourist attraction is rates as AAAA on China's national tourism scale.
Beijing Pinggu Qinglongshan tourist areas (北京平谷青龙山旅游区; yī tōng mǎn zú zì zhì xiàn bó wù guǎn): 东高村镇. This tourist attraction is rates as AAAA on China's national tourism scale.
Beijing Shijingshan park (北京石景山乐园; Běijīng shíjǐngshān lèyuán): 长安街. This tourist attraction is rates as AAAA on China's national tourism scale.
Amusement Park, Kowloon (九龙游乐园; jiǔlóng yóulèyuán): 十三陵水库旅游区. Phone: 010-60713460. This tourist attraction is rates as AAAA on China's national tourism scale.
Shihuadong Scenic Area (石花洞风景区; shí huā dòng fēngjǐngqū): 河北镇南车营村. Phone: 010-60312170. This tourist attraction is rates as AAAA on China's national tourism scale.
Thirteen tombs of Ming Dynasty in Beijing (明十三陵; Míng Shísān Líng): Changping, Beijing China. 十三陵特区. The Ming Tombs are a common inclusion on any tour of Beijing. Most tour buses to the Great wall, till also stop off at the Ming Tombs. However, I doubt most tourists really understand what they are visiting. The Ming Tombs are in fact the Chinese equivalent of the pyramids of Egypt. The sheer size and scale of these burial sites is very impressive. This tourist attraction is listed as a UNESCO World Herritage Site. This tourist attraction is rates as AAAA on China's national tourism scale.
Jingdong Great Cave Scenic Area (京东大溶洞风景区; jīng dōng dà róng dòng fēngjǐngqū): 黑豆峪村东侧. Phone: 010-89971708. This tourist attraction is rates as AAAA on China's national tourism scale.
Badachu Park Beijing (北京八大处公园; Běijīng bā dà chǔ gōngyuán): 八达处路3. Phone: 010-88964661. This tourist attraction is rates as AAAA on China's national tourism scale.
Chinese Garden (中华民族园; zhōnghuámínzú yuán): 民族园路1号. Phone: 010-62063640. This tourist attraction is rates as AAAA on China's national tourism scale.
Beijing World Park (北京世界公园; Běijīng shìjiè gōngyuán): 花乡丰葆台158号. This tourist attraction is rates as AAAA on China's national tourism scale.
Beijing Botanical Garden (北京植物园; Běijīng zhíwùyuán): 香山卧佛寺路. This tourist attraction is rates as AAAA on China's national tourism scale.
Beijing Aquarium (北京海洋馆; Běijīng hǎiyáng guǎn): 高粱桥斜街乙18号. Phone: 010-62176655. This tourist attraction is rates as AAAA on China's national tourism scale.
Beijing Fragrant Hill Park (北京香山公园; Běijīng xiāngshān gōngyuán): 香山买卖街西头. Phone: 010-62591155. This tourist attraction is rates as AAAA on China's national tourism scale.
Beihai and Jingshan Park (北海--景山公园; běihǎi --jǐngshāngōngyuán): 文津街1号. In the very centre of Beijing, Just north and west of the Forbidden City. Two former imperial gardens in the centre of Beijing now turned into popular public parks for all to enjoy. This tourist attraction is rates as AAAA on China's national tourism scale.
China Rosewood Museum (中国紫檀博物馆; Zhōngguó zǐtán bówùguǎn): 建国路23. Phone: 010-65582206. This tourist attraction is rates as AAAA on China's national tourism scale.
Yunjusi Temple (北京房山云居寺塔及石经; Běijīng Fángshān Yúnjūsì): Zhouzhang Lu, Fangshan District, Beijing, China. 西南约70公里处. This tourist attraction is rates as AAAA on China's national tourism scale.
Tanzhe Temple Scenic Area (潭柘戒台风景区; Tán Zhèjiè táifēng jǐngqū): This tourist attraction is rates as AAAA on China's national tourism scale.
Mutianyu Great Wall of China (北京慕田峪长城; Běijīng mù Tián Yù chángchéng): 60km north east Beijing. To get to the site, take No. 916 bus from Dongzhimin Long Distance Bus Station to Huairou City then take a taxi to the wall site. Alternatively you can join one of the many tour groups, details of which can be found on the official web site. Phone: 010-61626505. The wall was first constructed here in the 6th century during the Northern Qi dynasty. Later in 1404 during the Ming Dynasty, a new wall was build on top of the foundations of the old. The area was further extended in 1569 with the construction of a pass through the wall. This section of wall remains in good condition today. It is connected to other great wall tourist sites, Jiankou in the west and Lianhuachi in the east. This tourist attraction is listed as a UNESCO World Herritage Site. This tourist attraction is rates as AAAA on China's national tourism scale. Entry to the site is 40 RMB for adults and 20 RMB for children. There is the option of a cablecar up the hill side which costs 35 RMB and 18RMB one way or 50 RMB and 25 RMB return for adults and children respectfully. For the youthfull, a tobogan ride runs down the mountain. This costs 40 RMB per person.
Jiankou Great Wall of China (箭口; Jiankou): Xizhazi (north) or Wofoshan (south) Huairou county, Beijing, China. About 73 km north of Beijing city. The wall can be approached from either the north or south. The north being the easier walk but further from Beijing. Jiankou Great Wall is one of the most photogenic and atmospheric sections of the wall. Here the wall follows a high mountain ridge. This area is significantly less tourist orientated and the wall here remains largely in an unrestored state of disrepair. Walking here can be hazardous as sections are extremely steep (some with 70 to 80% inclines) with long drops down the mountain sides. Also the rock of the wall might not provide reliably secure footing. The effort in climbing will, however, be rewarded with spectacular views. This tourist attraction is listed as a UNESCO World Herritage Site. This tourist attraction is rates as AAAA on China's national tourism scale.
Jinshanling Great Wall of China (金山岭; Jīnshānlǐng): Luanpin, Chengde, Hebei, China 河北省承德市滦平县花楼沟村. Located in the mountainous area in Luanping county 120 km northeast of Beijing. Phone: +86 314 8830222. This section of the wall is connected with the Simatai section. It was built from 1570 during the Ming Dynasty. The Jinshanling section of the Great Wall is 10.5 km long with 5 passes, 67 towers and 2 beacon towers. The initial section of the wall has been restored to original condition, but the condition of the wall deteriorates towards its natural state as it approaches Simatai. This tourist attraction is listed as a UNESCO World Herritage Site. This tourist attraction is rates as AAAA on China's national tourism scale. The entrance fee is 40 RMB. A cable car has been constructed to take visitors to the highest point along the wall. There is an additional admission charge of 50 RMB to continue on to the Simatai section, and a 5 RMB fee to cross the suspension bridge.
Gubeikou Great Wall of China101 National Road Miyun, Beijing, China. Gubeikou Great Wall of China is one of the best, though least visited, sections of the wall. If you want to get away from crowds and tourist hawkers, then go here. This area of the wall is much more remote, for a tourist, than others. Gubeikou's distance from Beijing and proximity to Jinshanling and Simatai mean that Guibeikou is often overlooked. This tourist attraction is listed as a UNESCO World Herritage Site. This tourist attraction is rates as AAAA on China's national tourism scale.
Huanghuacheng Great Wall of ChinaAnsi Road, Jiuduhe Town, Huairou, Beijing, China. Jiuduhe Town of Huairou, bout 65km from Beijing city. Phone: +86 10 61651004. Huanghuacheng is a spectacular section of the Great Wall of China, noted for it steepness, with sharp cliffs on either side. The wall here is rough and not over restored but not dangerously rough. In the middle of the wall is a crescent shaped reservoir that makes for interesting photographs. This tourist attraction is listed as a UNESCO World Herritage Site. This tourist attraction is rates as AAAA on China's national tourism scale. Open 08:00am to 5:00pm weekdays, 7:30am to 5:30pm at weekends and holidays. Entry costs 25 RMB.
Shuiguan Great Wall of ChinaYanqing, Beijing, China. 北京市延庆县八达岭镇石佛寺村. About 35km from Beijing, near to Badaling Great Wall. Phone: +86 10 69121470. The Shuiguan Great Wall of China is just 2km from the most popular section of wall - Badaling. On the express way from Beijing, you will pass Shuiguan on the way to Badaling. This tourist attraction is listed as a UNESCO World Herritage Site. This tourist attraction is rates as AAAA on China's national tourism scale.
Peeking Man SiteThis tourist attraction is listed as a UNESCO World Herritage Site. This tourist attraction is rates as AAAA on China's national tourism scale.
China Geological Museum (中国地质博物馆; zhōng guó dì zhí bó wù guăn): This tourist attraction is rates as AAA on China's national tourism scale.
Beijing Planetarium (北京天文馆; bĕi jīng tiān wén guăn): This tourist attraction is rates as AAA on China's national tourism scale.
Beijing Amusement Park (北京游乐园; bĕi jīng yóu lè yuán): This tourist attraction is rates as AAA on China's national tourism scale.
Beijing Tuan Jie Lake Park (北京团结湖公园; bĕi jīng tuán jié hú gōng yuán): This tourist attraction is rates as AAA on China's national tourism scale.
Ritan Park, Beijing (北京日坛公园; bĕi jīng rì tán gōng yuán): This tourist attraction is rates as AAA on China's national tourism scale.
Beijing Fairview Park Land Agricultural Tourism (北京锦绣大地农业观光园区; bĕi jīng jĭn xiù dà dì nóng yè guān guāng yuán qū): This tourist attraction is rates as AAA on China's national tourism scale.
Beijing Red Scarf Park (北京红领巾公园; bĕi jīng hóng lĭng jīn gōng yuán): This tourist attraction is rates as AAA on China's national tourism scale.
Beijing China Culture Park (北京中华文化园; bĕi jīng zhōng huá wén huà yuán): This tourist attraction is rates as AAA on China's national tourism scale.
Changping District of Beijing Buddha Mountain Scenic Area (北京昌平菩萨山风景区; bĕi jīng chāng píng pú sà shān fēng jĭng qū): This tourist attraction is rates as AAA on China's national tourism scale.
Mang Mountain Forest Park in Beijing (北京莽山森林公园; bĕi jīng măng shān sēn lín gōng yuán): This tourist attraction is rates as AAA on China's national tourism scale.
Beijing Miaofengshan Scenic Area (北京妙峰山风景区; bĕi jīng miào fēng shān fēng jĭng qū): This tourist attraction is rates as AAA on China's national tourism scale.
Beijing Qinglong Park (北京青龙湖公园; bĕi jīng qīng lóng hú gōng yuán): This tourist attraction is rates as AAA on China's national tourism scale.
The Chinese People's Anti-Japanese War Sculpture Garden (中国人民抗日战争雕塑园; zhōng guó rén mín kàng rì zhàn zhēng diāo sù yuán): This tourist attraction is rates as AAA on China's national tourism scale.
Forest Park, Beijing, Yunmengshan (北京市云蒙山森林公园; bĕi jīng shì yún méng shān sēn lín gōng yuán): This tourist attraction is rates as AAA on China's national tourism scale.
Beijing Xian Taoyuan Valley Scenic Area (北京桃园仙谷风景区; bĕi jīng táo yuán xiān gŭ fēng jĭng qū): This tourist attraction is rates as AAA on China's national tourism scale.
Beijing Jingdong Grand Canyon (北京京东大峡谷; bĕi jīng jīng dōng dà xiá gŭ): This tourist attraction is rates as AAA on China's national tourism scale.
Beijing Longtan Natural Scenic Spot Black (北京黑龙潭自然风景区; bĕi jīng hēi lóng tán zì rán fēng jĭng qū): This tourist attraction is rates as AAA on China's national tourism scale.
Purple Bamboo Park (紫竹院公园; zĭ zhú yuàn gōng yuán): This tourist attraction is rates as AAA on China's national tourism scale.
Chinese militia weapons and equipment exhibition hall (中国民兵武器装备陈列馆; zhōng guó mín bīng wŭ qì zhuāng bèi chén liè guăn): This tourist attraction is rates as AAA on China's national tourism scale.
Beijing Pacific Underwater World Expo (北京太平洋海底世界博览馆; bĕi jīng tài píng yáng hăi dĭ shì jiè bó lăn guăn): This tourist attraction is rates as AAA on China's national tourism scale.
Shidu Scenic Tourist Attractions (十渡风景名胜区; shí dù fēng jĭng míng shèng qū): This tourist attraction is rates as AAA on China's national tourism scale.
Simatai Great Wall in Miyun (密云司马台长城; mì yún sī mă tái cháng chéng): Sishui Road, Gubeikou, Miyun county, Beijing, China. 120 km northeast of Beijing. Phone: +86 10 69031051, 69035025. This is a section of the Great Wall of China located in the north of Miyun County, 120 km northeast of Beijing, holds the access to Gubeikou, a strategic pass in the eastern part of the Great Wall. Originally built during the Northern Qi dynasty (550-577) and rebuilt in the Hongwu years of the Ming dynasty by Qi Jiguang, this section of Great Wall is one of the few to retain the original features of the Ming dynasty Great Wall. This tourist attraction is listed as a UNESCO World Herritage Site. This tourist attraction is rates as AAA on China's national tourism scale.
Qinglong scenic Beijing (北京青龙峡景区; bĕi jīng qīng lóng xiá jĭng qū): This tourist attraction is rates as AAA on China's national tourism scale.
Beijing Lake Water Park (北京湖景水上乐园; bĕi jīng hú jĭng shuĭ shàng lè yuán): This tourist attraction is rates as AAA on China's national tourism scale.
Beijing Hancun He Tourism King Village (北京韩村河旅游景村; bĕi jīng hán cūn hé lǚ yóu jĭng cūn): This tourist attraction is rates as AAA on China's national tourism scale.
Beijing Yuyuantan Park (北京玉渊潭公园; bĕi jīng yù yuān tán gōng yuán): This tourist attraction is rates as AAA on China's national tourism scale.
Nishiyama Daigakuji (西山大觉寺; xī shān dà jué sì): This tourist attraction is rates as AA on China's national tourism scale.
Phoenix Ridge Natural Area sea will Scenic Area (海定区凤凰岭自然风景区; hăi dìng qū fèng huáng líng zì rán fēng jĭng qū): This tourist attraction is rates as AA on China's national tourism scale.
Fangshan Xian-hole scenic habitat (房山仙栖洞景区; fáng shān xiān qī dòng jĭng qū): This tourist attraction is rates as AA on China's national tourism scale.
Scenic Tourist Attractions in Miyun Taoyuanxiangu (密云桃源仙谷风景名胜区; mì yún táo yuán xiān gŭ fēng jĭng míng shèng qū): This tourist attraction is rates as AA on China's national tourism scale.
Fangshan Qinglong Water Park (房山青龙湖水上乐园; fáng shān qīng lóng hú shuĭ shàng lè yuán): This tourist attraction is rates as AA on China's national tourism scale.
Chubong Forest Park (鹫峰森林公园; jiù fēng sēn lín gōng yuán): This tourist attraction is rates as AA on China's national tourism scale.
Fangshan Yinhu Dong Scenic Area (房山区银狐洞风景区; fáng shān qū yín hú dòng fēng jĭng qū): This tourist attraction is rates as AA on China's national tourism scale.
Huairou the new concept of survival of island tourism base (怀柔生存岛旅游新概念基地; huái róu shēng cún dăo lǚ yóu xīn gài niàn jī dì): This tourist attraction is rates as AA on China's national tourism scale.
Haidian District, Forest Park, 100 Mount Hope (海淀区百望山森林公园; hăi diàn qū băi wàng shān sēn lín gōng yuán): This tourist attraction is rates as AA on China's national tourism scale.
Huairou Yougushentan Natural Scenic Area (怀柔幽谷神潭自然风景区; huái róu yōu gŭ shén tán zì rán fēng jĭng qū): This tourist attraction is rates as AA on China's national tourism scale.
Songshan Forest Tourist Area (松山森林旅游区; sōng shān sēn lín lǚ yóu qū): This tourist attraction is rates as AA on China's national tourism scale.
The top of the Mountain National Forest Park (上方山国家森林公园; shàng fāng shān guó jiā sēn lín gōng yuán): This tourist attraction is rates as AA on China's national tourism scale.
Yanqing Kangxicaoyuan (延庆康西草原; yán qìng kāng xī căo yuán): This tourist attraction is rates as AA on China's national tourism scale.
Miyun Yunxi Valley Lieziran Scenic Area (密云云岫谷游猎自然风景区; mì yún yún xiù gŭ yóu liè zì rán fēng jĭng qū): This tourist attraction is rates as AA on China's national tourism scale.
Beijing Country Golf Club (北京乡村高尔夫俱乐部; bĕi jīng xiāng cūn gāo ĕr fū jū lè bù): This tourist attraction is rates as AA on China's national tourism scale.
Chunhui Hot Springs Resort (春晖温泉度假村; chūn huī wēn quán dù jiă cūn): This tourist attraction is rates as AA on China's national tourism scale.
Prince Gong's Mansion Garden (恭王府花园; gōng wáng fŭ huā yuán): This tourist attraction is rates as AA on China's national tourism scale.
Guyaju scenic tourist center (古崖居风景名胜旅游中心; gŭ yá jū fēng jĭng míng shèng lǚ yóu zhōng xīn): This tourist attraction is rates as AA on China's national tourism scale.
Former Residence of Soong Ching Ling (宋庆龄故居; sòng qìng líng gù jū): This tourist attraction is rates as AA on China's national tourism scale.
Yunmengshan Forest Park (云蒙山森林公园; yún méng shān sēn lín gōng yuán): This tourist attraction is rates as AA on China's national tourism scale.
Badaling Great Wall, remnant of natural Scenic Area (八达岭残长城自然风景区; bā dá líng cán cháng chéng zì rán fēng jĭng qū): 80km north west of Beijing city. This tourist attraction is listed as a UNESCO World Herritage Site. This tourist attraction is rates as AA on China's national tourism scale.
Xu Beihong Memorial Hall (徐悲鸿纪念馆; xú bēi hóng jì niàn guăn): This tourist attraction is rates as AA on China's national tourism scale.
Mentougou Ling Mountain Natural Scenic Area (门头沟灵山自然风景区; mén tóu gōu líng shān zì rán fēng jĭng qū): This tourist attraction is rates as AA on China's national tourism scale.
Mentougou Baihua Mountain Natural Scenic Area (门头沟百花山自然风景区; mén tóu gōu băi huā shān zì rán fēng jĭng qū): This tourist attraction is rates as AA on China's national tourism scale.
Mentougou Xiaolongmen Scenic Area (门头沟小龙门风景区; mén tóu gōu xiăo lóng mén fēng jĭng qū): This tourist attraction is rates as AA on China's national tourism scale.
White Longtan Natural Scenic Area in Miyun (密云白龙潭自然风景区; mì yún bái lóng tán zì rán fēng jĭng qū): This tourist attraction is rates as AA on China's national tourism scale.
Mentougou Zhenzhu Lake Scenic Area (门头沟珍珠湖风景区; mén tóu gōu zhēn zhū hú fēng jĭng qū): This tourist attraction is rates as AA on China's national tourism scale.
Huairou Baiquan Mountain Natural Scenic Area (怀柔百泉山自然风景区; huái róu băi quán shān zì rán fēng jĭng qū): This tourist attraction is rates as AA on China's national tourism scale.
Natural Scenic Area in Miyun Qingliang Gu (密云清凉谷自然风景区; mì yún qīng liáng gŭ zì rán fēng jĭng qū): This tourist attraction is rates as AA on China's national tourism scale.
Pinggu Old County Tourist Attractions (平谷老象峰旅游景区; píng gŭ lăo xiàng fēng lǚ yóu jĭng qū): This tourist attraction is rates as AA on China's national tourism scale.
Fengtai Takayama Forest Park (丰台鹰山森林公园; fēng tái yīng shān sēn lín gōng yuán): This tourist attraction is rates as AA on China's national tourism scale.
Wanfang Park, Fengtai Pavilion (丰台万方亭公园; fēng tái wàn fāng tíng gōng yuán): This tourist attraction is rates as AA on China's national tourism scale.
Beijing Lian hua chi gong yuan (北京莲花池公园; bĕi jīng lián huā chí gōng yuán): This tourist attraction is rates as AA on China's national tourism scale.
China Printing Museum (中国印刷博物馆; zhōng guó yìn shuā bó wù guăn): This tourist attraction is rates as AA on China's national tourism scale.
Beijing Shi Jing-Long Ski Resort (北京石京龙滑雪场; bĕi jīng shí jīng lóng huá xuĕ cháng): This tourist attraction is rates as AA on China's national tourism scale.
Huairou Xiangshui Lake Natural Scenic Area (怀柔响水湖自然风景区; huái róu xiăng shuĭ hú zì rán fēng jĭng qū): This tourist attraction is rates as AA on China's national tourism scale.
Huairou Shentang Yu Natural Scenic Area (怀柔神堂峪自然风景区; huái róu shén táng yù zì rán fēng jĭng qū): This tourist attraction is rates as AA on China's national tourism scale.
Natural scenic lake water hole Pinggu (平谷湖洞水自然风景区; píng gŭ hú dòng shuĭ zì rán fēng jĭng qū): This tourist attraction is rates as AA on China's national tourism scale.
Beijing Imperial College (北京国子监; bĕi jīng guó zĭ jiān): This tourist attraction is rates as AA on China's national tourism scale.
Beijing Grand Bao Taiwan Han Tomb (北京大葆台汉墓; bĕi jīng dà băo tái hàn mù): This tourist attraction is rates as AA on China's national tourism scale.
Shijingshan Women and Children Activity Center (石景山妇女儿童活动中心; shí jĭng shān fù nǚ rén tóng huó dòng zhōng xīn): This tourist attraction is rates as AA on China's national tourism scale.
Shijingshan want to park (石景山希望公园; shí jĭng shān xī wàng gōng yuán): This tourist attraction is rates as AA on China's national tourism scale.
Chinese Ancient Architecture Museum (中国古代建筑博物馆; zhōng guó gŭ dài jiàn zhù bó wù guăn): This tourist attraction is rates as AA on China's national tourism scale.
Fangshan Long Sin Temple (房山龙仙宫; fáng shān lóng xiān gōng): This tourist attraction is rates as AA on China's national tourism scale.
Miyun 9 bends Grand Canyon Scenic Spot (密云九道弯大峡谷风景区; mì yún jiŭ dào wān dà xiá gŭ fēng jĭng qū): This tourist attraction is rates as AA on China's national tourism scale.
Shun Xin Green Resort (顺鑫绿色度假村; shùn xīn lǜ sè dù jiă cūn): This tourist attraction is rates as AA on China's national tourism scale.
Beijing Daxing Mihayashi ancient mulberry (北京大兴御林古桑园; bĕi jīng dà xìng yù lín gŭ sāng yuán): This tourist attraction is rates as AA on China's national tourism scale.
Beijing's Daxing District, to remain private eco-farm (北京大兴区留民营生态农场; bĕi jīng dà xìng qū liú mín yíng shēng tài nóng cháng): This tourist attraction is rates as AA on China's national tourism scale.
Beijing Heavenly Lake Scenic Area (北京天池风景区; bĕi jīng tiān chí fēng jĭng qū): This tourist attraction is rates as AA on China's national tourism scale.
Beijing Lidaidi Wang Miao (北京历代帝王庙; bĕi jīng lì dài dì wáng miào): This tourist attraction is rates as AA on China's national tourism scale.
Men Tougou to cook Xiadi village scenic region (门头沟爨底下村景区; Mén Tóugōu cuàn dǐ xià cūn jǐngqū): This tourist attraction is rates as A on China's national tourism scale.
Men Tougou Longmen gorge parkland (门头沟龙门涧风景区; Mén Tóugōu lóngmén jiàn fēngjǐngqū): This tourist attraction is rates as A on China's national tourism scale.
Beijing clouds mountain natural parkland Scenic Area (北京云峰山自然风景区; Běijīng yúnfēng shān zìrán fēngjǐngqū): This tourist attraction is rates as A on China's national tourism scale.
Changping Duijiuyu Natural Scenic Area (昌平堆臼峪自然风景区; chāngpíng duī jiù yù zìrán fēngjǐngqū): This tourist attraction is rates as A on China's national tourism scale.
Changping tiger valley natural parkland (昌平虎峪自然风景区; chāngpíng hǔ yù zìrán fēngjǐngqū): This tourist attraction is rates as A on China's national tourism scale.
Fangshan Zhang Fanggu to fight (房山张坊古战道; fángshān Zhāng Fānggǔ zhàn dào): This tourist attraction is rates as A on China's national tourism scale.
Beijing 13 mound Longshan forest park (北京十三陵双龙山森林公园; Běijīng shísān líng shuāng lóngshān sēnlín gōngyuán): This tourist attraction is rates as A on China's national tourism scale.
Beijing Illicium anisatum to fall 1000 meter electricity popular science long corridor (北京莽山地下千米电力科普长廊; Běijīng mǎng shāndì xià yīqiān mǐ diànlì kēpǔ chángláng): This tourist attraction is rates as A on China's national tourism scale.
General Scenic Tuo (将军坨风景区; jiāngjūn tuó fēngjǐngqū): This tourist attraction is rates as A on China's national tourism scale.
Jiao Zhuanghu Authentic War Ruin Memorial Hall (焦庄户地道战遗址纪念馆; Jiāo Zhuānghù dìdào zhàn yízhǐ jìniànguǎn): This tourist attraction is rates as A on China's national tourism scale.
XiZhouYandouruin museum (西周燕都遗址博物馆; xī Zhōu Yàndōu yízhǐ bówùguǎn): This tourist attraction is rates as A on China's national tourism scale.
China Bee Museum (中国蜜蜂博物馆; Zhōngguó mìfēng bówùguǎn): This tourist attraction is rates as A on China's national tourism scale.
History
The city had a powerful strategic location at the tip of the North China Plain. Lying on major trade routes toMongolia, Manchuria, and Korea, it served both as a citadel for defense of the lowlands against invasions from the north and as a base for Chinese expansion into these areas. Beijing has been a major settlement at least since 1027 BC, when the feudal state of Yan established its capital, Ji, in the area of modern Beijing. Yan was destroyed during the unification of China by the Emperor Qin Shi Huang in the third century BC. The city of Ji became the administrative center of the Guangyang Commandery. Ji was the capital of one of thirty six prefectures under the new feudal government system of Qin dynasty China. In 608 AD the Sui emperor, Yang, built a canal from the Yellow River to Ji to supply troops engaged in his campaigns against Korea. The canal was later linked with others to the south to form the Grand Canal, part of which, near Beijing, is still in use today. After the fall of the Tang dynasty in 906, Ji came under the control of the Qidans (Khitans) who founded the Liao dynasty in the North East of modern China. Ji became the second capital of the Liao and was renamed Nanjing or Yanjing which means 'Southern Capital'. The Liao fell to the Nuzhen (Jurchen) people who founded the Jin dynasty. In 1153, Wan Yanliang moved the Jin capital to Yanjing and renamed the city Zhongdu (Central Captial). During the Jin period, the city was five kilometers wide with a registered population of 225,592 households (estimated to be around one million people). In 1261, the Mongol emperor, Kublai Khan, after conquering the Jin, chose the site as the chief capital of his new Yuan dynasty. Dadu (Great Capital), as the new capital was called, quickly developed into a cosmopolitan city, visited (probably) by Marco Polo and other Europeans by the the 13th century. In 1367, however, Dadu fell to Han Chinese forces under the command of the first Ming emperor, who moved his capital toNanjing in Jiangsu Province and renamed Dadu, Peiping, or Northern Peace. In 1420 the capital was returned to Peiping, which was promptly renamed Beijing, or Northern Capital. It has remained China's capital ever since.
People and Culture
The population of Beijing Municipality, defined as the total number of people who reside in Beijing for 6 months or more per year, was 17.4 million at the end of 2007. There were 12.04 million people in Beijing Municipality who had Beijing hukou (permanent residence), and the remainder were on temporary residence permits. In 2006, a study by the Beijing Statistics Bureau estimated the total of all people living in Beijing (permanent, temporary, unregistered and others) to be "close to 20 million." Recent statistics cited by China Daily put the number of migrant workers in the service and construction industries in Beijing at "more than 5.1 million." In addition, there is a large number of migrant workers (min gong) who live illegally in Beijing without any official residence permit (or unregistered people).
The population of Beijing's urban core (city proper) is over 13 million. After Chongqing and Shanghai, Beijing is the third largest of the four municipalities of the PRC, which are equivalent to provinces in China's administrative structure.
Most of Beijing's residents belong to the Han Chinese majority. Other ethnic minorities include the Manchu, Hui, and Mongol. A Tibetan-language high school exists for youth of Tibetan ancestry, nearly all of whom have come to Beijing from Tibet expressly for their studies. A sizable international community exists in Beijing, many attracted by the highly growing foreign business and trade sector, others by the traditional and modern culture of the city. Much of this international community lives in the areas around the Beijing CBD, Sanlitun, and Wudaokou. In recent years there has also been an influx of South Koreans who live in Beijing predominantly for business and study purpose. Many of them live in the Wangjing and Wudaokou areas.
| Nationality | Population | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Han | 12,983,696 | 95.69% |
| Manchu | 250,286 | 1.84% |
| Hui | 235,837 | 1.74% |
| Mongols | 37,464 | 0.28% |
| Koreans | 20,369 | 0.15% |
| Tujia | 8372 | 0.062% |
| Zhuang | 7322 | 0.054% |
| Miao | 5291 | 0.039% |
| Uyghur | 3129 | 0.023% |
| Tibetan | 2920 | 0.022% |
Excludes members of the People's Liberation Army in active service.
Culture
People native to urban Beijing speak the Beijing dialect, which belongs to the Mandarin subdivision of spoken Chinese. Beijing dialect is the basis for Standard Mandarin, the language used in mainland China, Taiwan, and Singapore. Rural areas of Beijing Municipality have their own dialects akin to those of Hebei province, which surrounds Beijing Municipality.
Beijing opera, or Peking opera (Jingju 京剧), is well-known throughout the national capital. Commonly lauded as one of the highest achievements of Chinese culture, Beijing opera is performed through a combination of song, spoken dialogue, and codified action sequences, such as gestures, movement, fighting and acrobatics. Much of Beijing opera is carried out in an archaic stage dialect quite different from modern Standard Mandarin and from the Beijing dialect.
Siheyuans line hutongs (胡同), or alleys, which connect the interior of Beijing's old city. They are usually straight and run east to west so that doorways can face north and south for Feng Shui reasons. They vary in width — some are very narrow, enough for only a few pedestrians to pass through at a time.
Once ubiquitous in Beijing, siheyuans and hutongs are now rapidly disappearing, as entire city blocks of hutongs are leveled and replaced with high-rise buildings. Residents of the hutongs are entitled to live in the new buildings, in apartments of at least the same size as their former residences. Many complain, however, that the traditional sense of community and street life of the hutongs cannot be replaced. Residents, however, have limited control over their own property, as the government usually owns it. Some particularly historic or picturesque neighbourhoods of hutongs are being preserved and restored by the government.
Mandarin cuisine is the local style of cooking in Beijing. The Peking Roast Duck is perhaps the most well-known dish. The Manhan Quanxi ("Manchu-Han Chinese full banquet") is a rare traditional banquet originally intended for the ethnic-Manchu emperors of the Qing Dynasty; it remains very prestigious and expensive. The Fuling Jiabing is a traditional Beijing snack food, a pancake (bing) resembling a flat disk with filling, made from fu ling (Poria cocos (Schw.) Wolf, or "tuckahoe"), an ingredient common in traditional Chinese medicine. Teahouses are also common in Beijing. Chinese tea comes in many varieties and some rather expensive types of Chinese tea are said to cure an ailing body extraordinarily well.
The cloisonné (or Jingtailan, literally "Blue of Jingtai") metalworking technique and tradition is a specialty of Beijing's cultural art, and is one of the most revered traditional crafts in China. Cloisonné making requires elaborate and complicated processes which includes: base-hammering, copper-strip inlay, soldering, enamel-filling, enamel-firing, surface polishing and gilding. Beijing's lacquerware is also well known for its sophisticated and intrinsic patterns and images carved into its surface, and the various decoration techniques of lacquer includes "carved lacquer" and "engraved gold".
Younger residents of Beijing have become more attracted to the nightlife, which has flourished in recent decade, breaking prior cultural traditions that practically restricted it to the upper class.
Architecture
The age, maturity and importance of this city means that there is a wealth of interesting buildings. It is filled with palaces, temples and gardens form the imperial past as well as major modern structures. However, the old lanes of Beijing, known as Hutongs, are rapidly disappearing. The old traditional housing is being rapidly replaced with modern high rise concrete housing estates.
In 2008, Beijing hosted the Olympic games. Large scale investment in the city's infrastructure and buildings turned large areas into building sites. However, with the construction completed, four startling new buildings have been created. The new National Swimming Center, nicknamed the Water Cube is a striking blue colour. It looks like it has been made from bubbles of water, frozen, then cut into a regular cuboid shape. The curves of the bubbles contrasting with the rectangular shape of the building. It was designed by PTW Architects. The National Stadium, known as the Birds Nest was designed by Herzog and De Meuron Architekten AG, Switzerland, and China Architecture Design Institute. It breaks form the regular patterns of most buildings with the exposed structure forming an almost random array of beams, columns and cross-members. CCTC's (China Central Television) new building has acquired the name Z crisscross. The work of architect Ram Koolhass, this building is shaped like two Z's joined at the top tip. It look almost impossible, as if it may fall over at any minute. Finally, the new National Grand Theater designed by French man Paul Andrew is known as the Eggshell. The building has a oval dome made of titanium and glass surrounded by green water.
Along side the modern developments. Beijing has recently heavily invested in the restoration of a large number of the city's historical buildings. Pride of place among these buildings is the Imperial Palace (Gùgōng 故宫) of Beijing, also known as the Forbidden City. This building, at the north end of Tiananmen Square, is the words largest palace complex. It boasts 9,999 rooms and covers an area of 720000 square meters (just under 2.6 million square feet). The buildings date to the Ming and Qing dynasties of China and formed the center of the old imperial capital city. About 15km to the west of the city center is the Summer Palace and gardens (颐和园). This area of palaces, temples, lakes and gardens covers 294 hectares (726.5 acres) and contains over 3,000 structures. It was started during the Jin Dynasty, some 800 years ago and developed and expanded by each successive dynasty. It is considered to have reached it's peak during the Qing dynasty. The British and French destroyed much of the site in 1860 though it was rebuilt. The summer palace was much favoured by Empress Cixi who is often criticized for over spending on the palace to the detriment of the rest of the country. In 1900 the site was again ravaged by foreign powers during the Boxer Rebellion but has yet again been reconstructed. Beijing contains a great many temples. Of particular note is the Temple of Heaven (Tiāntán 天坛) which was built between 1406 and 1420 by the Ming Emperor Yongle. This Taoist temple was used by the Emperors to make sacrifices twice a year, to the God of heaven in return for good harvests. The ceremony was considered to be of the highest importance and ordinary Chinese were forbidden to view it. The site now forms a large public park in the south of Beijing.
Through the twentieth century, Beijing lost large amounts of it's old architecture. Many buildings were destroyed or put to domestic use during the many wars and revolutions that marked the first half of the century. The city walls and gates that once surrounded the city have been almost entirely destroyed. Only a few short sections remain. The narrow Hutongs of old Beijing have replaced by wide, modern roads. In only a few places can you get a glimpse of what Beijing would once have been like. In the center of Beijing, in-front of the Imperial Palace, lies Tiān'ānmén Square (天安门广场). It stretches for 1km between the old gate of Qiánmén (前门) in the south and Tiananmen gate in the north. The square is often remembered in the west for the student protests, and subsequent crack down, of 1989. However, Tiananmen square is central to modern china. It was here, on October 1st, 1949, that Mao Zedong announced the formation of a new China in the form of the People's Republic of China. It is also here that Mao is laid to rest in his mausoleum. Surrounding the square are many of China's key buildings including the Great Hall of the People to the west, National Museum of China to the East, and to the north lies the Imperial Palace.
Industry
Beijing is amongst the most developed cities in China with tertiary industry accounting for 73.2% of its GDP; it was the first post industrial city in mainland China. Finance is one of the most important industries of Beijing. By the end of 2007, there are 751 financial organizations in Beijing that generated 128.6 billion RMB revenue accounting for 11.6% of the total financial industry revenue of the entire country. It is also accounts for 13.8% of Beijing's GDP, the highest percentage of that of all Chinese cities. Beijing is home to 26 Fortune Global 500 companies, the third most in the world behind Tokyo and Paris.
In 2008, Beijing's nominal GDP was 1.0488 trillion RMB (150 billion USD), a year-on-year growth of 9% from the previous year. Its GDP per capita was 63,029 RMB (9,075 USD), an increase of 5.2% from the previous year. In 2008, Beijing's primary, secondary, and tertiary industries were worth 11.28 billion RMB, 269.32 billion RMB, and 768.2 billion RMB. Urban disposable income per capita was 24,725 yuan, a real increase of 12.4% from the previous year. Per capita pure income of rural residents was 10,747 RMB, a real increase of 12.4%. Per capita disposable income of the 20% low-income residents increased 16.7%, 11.4 percentage points higher than the growth rate of the 20% high-income residents. The Engel's coefficient of Beijing's urban residents reached 31.8% in 2005 and that of the rural residents was 32.8%, declining 4.5 percentage points and 3.9 percentage points, respectively, compared with 2000.
Beijing's real estate and automobile sectors have continued to boom in recent years. In 2005, a total of 28.032 million square metres of housing real estate was sold, for a total of 175.88 billion RMB. The total number of cars registered in Beijing in 2004 was 2,146,000, of which 1,540,000 were privately owned (a year-on-year increase of 18.7%).
The Beijing CBD, centred at the Guomao area, has been identified as the city's new central business district, and is home to a variety of corporate regional headquarters, shopping precincts, and high-end housing. The Beijing Financial Street, in the Fuxingmen and Fuchengmen area, is a traditional financial centre. The Wangfujing and Xidan areas are major shopping districts. Zhongguancun, dubbed "China's Silicon Valley", continues to be a major centre in electronics- and computer-related industries, as well as pharmaceuticals-related research. Meanwhile, Yizhuang, located to the southeast of the urban area, is becoming a new centre in pharmaceuticals, IT, and materials engineering. Urban Beijing is also known for being a centre of pirated goods and anything from the latest designer clothing to the latest DVDs can be found in markets all over the city, often marketed to expatriates and international visitors.
Major industrial areas include Shijingshan, located on the western outskirts of the city. Agriculture is carried out outside the urban area of Beijing, with wheat and maize (corn) being the main crops. Vegetables are also grown in the regions closer to the urban area in order to supply the city.
Beijing is increasingly becoming known for its innovative entrepreneurs and high-growth start-ups. This culture is backed by a large community of both Chinese and foreign venture capital firms, such as Sequoia Capital, whose head office in China resides in Chaoyang, Beijing. Though Shanghai is seen as the economic centre of China, this is typically based on the numerous large corporations based there, rather than as a centre for Chinese entrepreneurship.
The development of Beijing continues to proceed at a rapid pace, and the vast expansion of Beijing has created a multitude of problems for the city. Beijing is known for its smog as well as the frequent "power-saving" programmes instituted by the government. Citizens of Beijing as well as tourists frequently complain about the quality of the water supply and the cost of the basic services such as electricity and natural gas. To reduce air pollution, a number of major industries have been ordered to reduce emissions or leave the city. Beijing Capital Steel, once one of the city's largest employers and its single biggest polluter, has been moving most of its operations to Tangshan.
Specially designated industrial parks in Beijing include: Zhongguancun Science Park, Yongle Economic Development Zone, Beijing Economic-technological Development Area, and Tianzhu Airport Industrial Zone.
Geography
Beijing is subdivided into 18 parts. The urban area is made up of four Districts (Dongcheng, Xicheng, Chongwen and Xuanwu). There are four suburban Districts (Chaoyang, Haidian, Fengtai and Shijingshan) and two suburban Counties (Miyun and Yangqing). Another eight suburban districts outly the main city (Mentougou, Shunyi, Tongzhou, Fangshan, Changping, Pinggu, Huairou and Daxing). Within these Counties and Districts there are 36 subordinate towns, 253 townships and many thousand villages. The population of the Beijing is about 14.23 million people of which 11.363 million are registered as permanent residents. This equates to a population density of 847 people per square kilometre.
The city has a flat, level topography. To the north of Beijing lie a range of mountains, across which the Great Wall of China spans, protecting the city form the northern barbarians. North of the wall lies the Gobi desert and Inner Mongolia. Around this city the level land makes for good farming. The old imperial city was a city within a city within a city: like a set of Russian dolls. In the centre was the Imperial Palace. Around this lay a high wall and moat forming a rectangle 960 metres by 750 metres. Outside the palace was the residence of government officials. This was in turn surrounded by high city walls in a rectangular plan. The southern gate of this inner city, Tiananmen Gate, can still be seen. The third layer of the city extended about 1km in each direction around the inner city. This was in turn surrounded by another city wall with nine gates (two to the north, west and east and three to the south). Beyond this, a fourth layer was started. However, this only extended around the south of the city rather than fully encompassing it. This was again surrounded by a fourth city wall. The third and fourth outer layers were home to the ordinary people of the city. The street plan was rigidly rectangular, just slightly askew form perfect north-south orientation. However, between the main avenues, a warren of narrow lanes (known as Hutongs) developed.
Much of the old city layout was destroyed in the 20th century. The old city walls and gates were demolished to allow the construction of wider roads suitable for modern traffic. Although the modern city still preserves some of the layered feel. Modern Beijing is surrounded by a series of ring roads which still copy some of the lines of the old city walls. Beijing has grown rapidly and the city today is many times larger than that of just 100 years ago.
Beijing has harsh weather. The summers are very hot, the winters are very cold, and in the spring the city is plagued by dust storms. The city's own government web site describes the four seasons as, in their own words, "Dust storm, Sweltering, Getting cold, and Stupidly Cold." Summer is the season most likely to see rain. Heavy thunderstorms are typical at this time. Summer temperatures are usually between 28° and 39° centigrade and can be as high as 42°C. By contrast, the winters are often as cold as -18°C with the extreme at -27°C. In spring, usually between March and June, there are frequent dust storms. The strong spring north winds blow sand and dust form the nearby Gobi desert into the city. The sky is turned dark orange by the dust which covers the city. Residents often wear face masks or silk scarfs over their faces to protect against the dust storms.
online historical maps from Perry-Castañeda Library
Transportation to and from Beijing
With the growth of the city following economic reforms, Beijing has evolved as the most important transportation hub in the People's Republic of China, and within the larger East Asian region. Encircling the city are five ring roads, nine expressways and city express routes, eleven China National Highways, several railway routes, and an international airport.
Rail
Beijing has long been the largest railway hub in China. There are railway lines from Beijing to Shanghai, Guangzhou, Kowloon, Harbin, Qinhuangdao, Baotou, Yuanping, Chengde, and Tianjin. As of 1 May 2009, Beijing Railway Station has 177 trains stopping daily, while Beijing West Railway Station has 220 trains. These two railway stations serve as major transportation nodes in the city. The state-of-the-art Beijing South Railway Station re-opened in August 2008, and serves as the Beijing terminus for the Beijing-Tianjin high-speed train, the fastest regular passenger train service in the world, as well as all other high-speed CRH trains. International trains to cities in Mongolia, Russia, Vietnam and North Korea, all run through Beijing.
Several other railway stations in urban Beijing handle regular passenger traffic: Beijing North, Beijing East, Fengtai and other smaller stations. There are also a number of other stations serving suburban areas. Passenger trains in China are numbered according to their direction in relation to Beijing.
Roads and Expressways
Beijing is connected via road links from all parts of China as part of the National Trunk Road Network. Nine expressways of China (with six wholly new expressways under projection or construction) connect with Beijing, as do eleven China National Highways. Within Beijing itself, an elaborate network of five ring roads has developed, but they appear more rectangular than ring-shaped. Due partly to its design as an ancient capital, roads in Beijing often are in one of the four compass directions.
Beijing's urban transport is dependent upon the five "ring roads" (Chinese: 环路) that successively surround the city, with the Forbidden City area marked as the geographical centre for the ring roads. The 1st Ring road is not officially defined. The 2nd Ring Road is fully located in Beijing's inner city areas. Ring roads tend to resemble expressways progressively as they extend outwards, with the 5th Ring Road and 6th Ring Road being full-standard National expressways - linked to other roads only with interchanges. Expressways to other regions of China are generally accessible from the 3rd Ring Road outward.
Intercity Coach
Beijing is well connected by long distance coaches to most large cities in the north and north-east of China. There are six coach stations situated around the city. Each station serves different routes. If travelling out of the city, check before hand which station serves your destination. Tickets for coaches can usually be purchased the day before or on the day of travel. However, coach travel tends to be more expensive, slower and prone to traffic congestion in comparison to china's rail. If given the choice, the author would always choose trains over coaches for travel in China.
Air
Beijing's primary airport is the Beijing Capital International Airport (IATA: PEK; Chinese: 北京首都国际机场) near Shunyi, which is about 20 km northeast of city centre. With additions made for the 2008 Olympics, the airport now boasts three terminals, with Terminal 3 being one of the largest in the world. Most domestic and nearly all international flights arrive at and depart from Capital Airport. Capital Airport is the main hub for Air China. The capital links Beijing with almost every other Chinese city with regular air passenger service. It is linked to central Beijing by the Airport Expressway and is a roughly 40-minute drive from the city centre during good traffic hours. Prior to the 2008 Olympics, another expressway, the 2nd Airport Expressway, was built to the Airport, as well as a light rail system, which is now connected to the Beijing Subway.
Other airports in the city include Beijing Liangxiang Airport, Beijing Nanyuan Airport, Beijing Xijiao Airport, Beijing Shahe Airport and Beijing Badaling Airport. Nanyuan serves as the hub for only one passenger airline, and these airports are primarily for military use and less well-known to the public.
Transport within Beijing
Subway (Metro)
The Beijing Subway system opened in 1969. At that time there were only two lines. It remained like this until the opening of the northern arc Line 13 in 2002. Due to recent expansion, the evolving system, as of 2011, now has 14 lines, 172 stations and 336 km (209 mi) of track in operation. Trains run frequently and the system is fast an clean throughout. With a flat fair of just 2 RMB to anywhere in the city, and all signs in Chinese and English, it is by far the best way for a tourist to get around.
The key lines include: Line 1, which roughly follow Chang'an Avenue running east-west through the very center of the city past Tian'anmen Square and the Forbidden City. Line 5 takes the north-south axis with sites such as the Lama Temple and Temple of Heaven on this route. Line 2 is a loop that runs around the central area of the city. Line 4 zig-zags through the west of the city centre. The other lines branch off from these four to serve the outer city districts
Beijing's Subway Network is undergoing rapid expansion. The system is set to almost double in size by 2015 with about 300km of new lines or extensions to existing lines that will make at least 21 new sections on the subway maps. Travellers using the subway system should make sure they have the latest maps and directions. Subway maps are posted at the entrance to each station as well as on platforms.
Taxi
Registered taxis can be found throughout Beijing, although a large number of unregistered taxis also exist. As of 30 June 2008, all fares on legal taxis start at 10 Renminbi for the first 3 km and 2.00 Renminbi per additional kilometer, not counting idling fees. Most taxis are Hyundai Elantras, Hyundai Sonatas, Peugeot Citroëns and Volkswagen Jettas. After 15 km, the base fare is increased by 50% (but only applied to the portion of the distance over 15 km, so that the passenger is not retroactively charged extra for the first 15 km). Between 11 pm and 5 am, the fee is increased by 20%, starting at 11 RMB and increasing at a rate of 2.4 RMB per km. Rides over 15 km and between 11 pm and 6 am apply both charges.
Road system
One of the biggest concerns with traffic in Beijing involves its apparently ubiquitous traffic jams, although in recent years ITS has been implemented in many areas in attempts to alleviate the problem. Traffic in the city centre is often gridlocked, especially around rush hour. Even outside of rush hour, several roads still remain clogged up with traffic. Urban area ring roads and major thoroughfares, especially near Chang'an Avenue, are normally cited as high-congestion areas.
To control the traffic flow, Beijing has put restrictions on car use. For example car owners may only use their car for six days out of seven. The last digit of the car registration plate is used to determine which day.
To drive in Beijing, tourists and other foreigners must get a Chinese Drivers License. You can not drive in China under your home country license. Foreigners are usually excused the full Driving test if they have their foreign license and translation. Two options are available to foreigners: They can get a temporary license for 6 months which requires no test, only some paperwork and fees. The other option, for foreign residents only, not tourists, is a full Chinese Drivers License. To get this you usually must complete a medical exam and a writen, rules of the road, exam. In some large cities such as beijing, the exam is available in foreign languages. In smaller cities they only have Chinese versions of the exam or may even refuse to allow you to take the test.
Bus
Beijing has a large bus network as well as some trolley buses. These are cheap to use, usually offering a flat fair, however they are hampered by the road traffic conditions. This means they are often very slow, and at peak times very crowded. Additionally, most signs on buses are in Chinese only making it difficult for a foreign tourist to find the correct bus or know when to get on or off. It would be suggested that tourists stick to the subway system unless they are familiar with the bus routes or can read Chinese.
News About Beijing
Exclusive: China buys up Saudi, Russian oil to squeeze Iran
By Judy Hua and Alex Lawler | BEIJING/LONDON (Reuters) - China is scouring the world for alternative oil supplies to replace a fall in its imports from Iran, as it seeks to negotiate lower prices from Tehran, and has been drawing heavily on Saudi ... »
Ai Weiwei and Beijing stadium architects to make Serpentine pavilion
Four years after designing the spectacular Bird's Nest Olympic stadium in Beijing, the Swiss architects Herzog & de Meuron and the Chinese artist Ai Weiwei are to reunite for a London 2012 project. The Serpentine Gallery announced on Tuesday that the ... »The Guardian
Harper in China: A 'goodwill' gesture as PM arrives in Beijing
Tonda MacCharles Ottawa Bureau BEIJING—It was only a matter of time before Canada's most famous export to China came up. But Prime Minister Stephen Harper began name-dropping before he even hit the tarmac in Beijing. He named Mark Rowswell, ... »
Beijing Accents the Positive Ahead of High Level Visit to US
February 07, 2012 Beijing Accents the Positive Ahead of High Level Visit to US Stephanie Ho | Beijing Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping is scheduled to visit Washington next week. The man widely believed to be in line to become China's next leader ... »
Why Beijing Votes With Moscow
In fact, the most important factor in China's decision had little to do with Beijing-Damascus ties, and everything to do with its diplomatic cooperation with Moscow. Since it returned to the United Nations in 1971, China has been sparing in its use of ... »
Beijing Olympics dream team to take on Serpentine Pavilion in Hyde Park
The architects behind the 2008 Beijing Olympics' "Bird's Nest" stadium, Herzog & de Meuron, and Chinese artist Ai Weiwei who was the artistic consultant on the stadium will be in charge of this year's design, the Serpentine Gallery announced today. »Telegraph.co.uk
China Weighs Sending Envoys to Syria
By BRIAN SPEGELE BEIJING—China said it is considering dispatching envoys to Syria to press for an end to violence there, as Beijing faces international criticism for blocking a United Nations Security Council resolution that targeted the Syrian ... »
Harper lands in China for four-day visit
BEIJING — Prime Minister Stephen Harper landed in China Tuesday for a critical four-day mission that's another step toward re-engineering the symbiotic Sino-Canadian relationship on trade, tourism and energy security. Harper's second official trip to ... »
Beijing office rents outstrip New York
By Simon Rabinovitch in Beijing Office rents in Beijing have soared over the past two years, making it more expensive to lease prime work space in China's capital than in New York, according to an industry survey. A boom in demand and limited supply of ... »
US trip of China's next leader: From Obama to Iowa
19, 2011 file photo, Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping and US counterpart Joe Biden, not in the picture, attend a meeting with US and Chinese business leaders at the Beijing Hotel in Beijing, China. Xi, who will take over the presidency from Hu Jintao ... »Boston.com
China forges Arab ties, hedging bets in the Gulf
The gesture by the $2300-a-night Burj al-Arab was a not-so-subtle nod to the tightening bonds Beijing is forging with the kings and sheiks who rule the oil-rich Arab Gulf states, even as it stands firm in support for their regional rival Iran. »
On US trip, next China leader will introduce self to Americans, reunite with ...
BEIJING — In 1985, Xi Jinping led a delegation to Muscatine, Iowa, to study advanced hog-raising techniques. He comes back next week, preparing to lead the world's most populous nation. China's vice president, who will take over the presidency from Hu ... »
Beijing finds vulnerable ally in Berlin
The frequency with which officials shuttle between Beijing and Berlin highlights that relations between the world's largest exporter nations have never been closer, nor have the two held so many shared interests. Beijing apparently sees its warming ... »
Beijing remains impartial on Syria issue
China will not take sides on the Syria issue, and will uphold justice and take a responsible attitude, Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Weimin said on Monday. "China is highly concerned about the development of the situation in Syria, and we have always ... »
Beijing, the Hotspot Location for Sykipot Servers: Symantec
Inspection by experts at Symantec revealed the clues that hint at Beijing, China to be the prime location for the execution of the command and control (C&C) server, the largest ISP of the country. On one such occasion, the attackers even employed a ... »
Beijing takes application for Hong Kong-linked ETF
By MarketWatch SHANGHAI (MarketWatch) -- China's securities regulator said late Monday that it has accepted an application to launch the country's first exchange traded fund linked to Hong Kong-listed shares on Feb. 1, marking another small step ... »
Beijing says body of missing Chinese worker found in Sudan; 29 abducted ...
BEIJING — The body of a Chinese worker who went missing during a rebel attack on a work site in Sudan has been found, state media reported Tuesday. The official Xinhua News Agency said China was told of the recovery by Sudanese officials in South ... »
Arsenal plan games in Seoul, Beijing and Hong Kong in July
The club are in the latter stages of negotiations to take the squad to Seoul, Beijing and Hong Kong, where they hope to play glamour friendlies and enjoy promotional events. Arsenal have not yet signed off the proposals but Arsène Wenger stands to be ... »The Guardian
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