Overview

Beijing is the capital of the People's Republic of China and is the nation's center of government, economy, culture, and international activities. It has 18 districts and counties, with an area of 16,800 square kilometers and a population of 11 million. Beijing meaning Northern Capital is a place of both ancient history and dazzling modernity. The city itself is traversed by freeways and hundreds of flyovers. High-rises adorn the lengths of this city making it a vivid metropolis within China.  Beijing, however, is a city of bewildering juxtapositions. Despite the urban construction that makes it a modern metropolis, Beijing has a long history. It’s history starts as early as 500 000 years ago, when the Peking Man lived there. It is an ancient cultural city that served for more than 800 years as the capital of the Liao, Jin, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties. Beijing is nowadays known for its many special places of interest.

While the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square represent the heart of Beijing, Beijing is a sprawling city without a defined central downtown. The Chaoyang District makes up the northeast section of Beijing. The Sanlitun area features a few embassies, many foreign businesses and a variation of bars as well as nightclubs. It is highly regarded as the embodiment of nightlife in the city.

From the magnificent Forbidden City, with its stunning wealth of treasures, visitors can begin their journey through the streets and lanes of Beijing. Moving outside the center, one moves away from the hustle of daily Beijing life, and more into the tranquil pace of the ancient. Palaces, parks, narrow alleyways and ancient sites such as the YongheGong, take you back into time in order to reveal a different Beijing. The Temple of Heaven's vast grounds are a pleasure year-round--and enchanting during a snowstorm.

Visitors can find refuge in the suburbs, and such places like the Summer Palaces and the Western Hills, which have been favored retreats since imperial times.
While visiting Beijing, try taking some time to hike outside of the city. Excursions may involve a visit to the Ming Tombs. Or perhaps a simple picnic in the ruins. The Great Wall, a site not to be missed, also encompasses many small villages in its outskirts. Visitors should also consider traveling into the countryside and take a glimpse of village life. Overall Beijing is a city that almost everyone enjoys. It provides visitors with a cosmopolitan view on urban modernity, as well a imparting a rich and ancient cultural flavor.