“North Capital”—did you know that’s what “Beijing” means? We are standing before a silent witness to Beijing’s long and complex history, the \u4e5d\u6e21\u6cb3\u9547\u9ec4\u82b1\u57ce\u6751\u5317 248 \u53f7\u654c\u53f0.
Beijing is one of the oldest cities in the world. Its story stretches back 3000 years. That is as old as London. It is even six times older than New York. Think about that.
The \u4e5d\u6e21\u6cb3\u9547\u9ec4\u82b1\u57ce\u6751\u5317 248 \u53f7\u654c\u53f0 reminds us that Beijing wasn’t always called Beijing. Before 1403, it had many names. Jicheng and Yanjing are just two. It was also called Nanjing and Zhongdu. Can you imagine living in a city that changed its name so often?
Beijing has been the capital for six notable Chinese governments. For over 700 years, China has been ruled from here. This is why we see so many historical sites like the \u4e5d\u6e21\u6cb3\u9547\u9ec4\u82b1\u57ce\u6751\u5317 248 \u53f7\u654c\u53f0.
The Great Wall is easily accessible from Beijing. The section at Mutianyu is a short drive away. The Forbidden City is another treasure. It is the largest palace in the world. It is also the best-preserved imperial palace in China. Emperors lived here. They were considered sons of heaven. Their homes were built as replicas of the Purple Palace. God lived there, according to legend. Access to this holy place was forbidden. That is how it got its name. The Forbidden City has 90 palaces and courtyards. It has 980 buildings with 8704 rooms.
The Temple of Heaven is the holiest of Beijing’s imperial temples. Emperors used it for annual ceremonies. They prayed for good harvests. The Summer Palace is the world’s largest imperial garden. Emperors spent their summers there.
Beijing is a cultural hub. It has unique architecture and cuisine. Peking duck is a must-try. It has crispy skin and tender meat. Beijing is the second-largest city in China. It has a population of over 21 million. Shanghai is the only city larger.
The \u4e5d\u6e21\u6cb3\u9547\u9ec4\u82b1\u57ce\u6751\u5317 248 \u53f7\u654c\u53f0 is a reminder of the past. It shows us how Beijing has changed. It has grown into a modern city. Yet, it holds onto its history. Take a moment to appreciate the \u4e5d\u6e21\u6cb3\u9547\u9ec4\u82b1\u57ce\u6751\u5317 248 \u53f7\u654c\u53f0. Remember the stories it could tell. Now, let’s move on.