Five dragon heads await us atop Wuling Mountain. Today we explore Wulongtou. It is where Waitao Peak is. The highest peak of Wuling Mountain is located here. As you stand here, look southeast. You can view five huge stones. They are shaped like a dragon’s head. It’s commonly known as Five Dragon Heads.
Five mountain ranges extend from the dragon head. They look like five great dragons. Legend says their lengths represent the destinies of five emperors. These emperors are Shunzhi, Kangxi, Qianlong, Xianfeng, and Tongzhi.
Many tourists stay overnight at Wulongtou. It is the best place to appreciate nature’s beauty. See the sea of clouds, sunset, sunrise, and stars from here.
Hotels are available near Wulongtou. Some are at the peak. Their prices range from 200 to 400 yuan. Hotels in the Lianhuachi Tourist Service Center are also good. A standard room costs about 360 yuan. This center is about 5 kilometers from the peak. Self-driving tourists can head to the peak by car. They can watch the sunrise in the early morning. Walkers must go on foot.
Beijing’s history stretches back 3,000 years. It’s as old as London. It is six times older than New York. It is ten times older than Sydney. The city holds a wealth of historical sites. The Great Wall and the Forbidden City are great examples.
Beijing has served as the capital for six Chinese governments. China has been ruled from Beijing for over 700 years. That’s why there are many historical sites. Yan State made it their capital in 221 BC. The Yuan Dynasty made it their national capital in 1271. In 1402, the Ming Dynasty called it their capital. The Qing Dynasty followed in 1644. The Republic of China named it their capital in 1912. On October 1, 1949, Mao Zedong inaugurated the People’s Republic of China here.
Beijing wasn’t always called Beijing. The city had a series of names before 1403. Jicheng was one name. Another was Yanjing. Others include Nanjing, Zhongdu, Dadu and Beiping. Beijing means Northern Capital. It was the city’s 16th name.
Beijing is home to seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The Great Wall is one. So is the Forbidden City. You can also find the Summer Palace here. The Temple of Heaven is another. Don’t forget the Ming Tombs. Peking Man Site at Zhoukoudian is also a site. The Grand Canal completes the list.
Beijing is a cultural hub. It boasts unique architecture, arts, and cuisine. You can also experience other cultural facets. A culture tour must include imperial architecture. The Forbidden City is a must. Explore narrow hutong lanes. They are lined with traditional courtyard houses. Enjoy performing arts like Beijing opera. And taste Beijing cuisine like roast duck. Glimpse Chinese culture through its capital.
Beijing has a population of almost 22.5 million. It is in an area of 16,800 square kilometers. It is China’s second-largest city after Shanghai.
Beijing Capital International Airport is the world’s second-busiest airport. It is often used as the entry and exit point for China.
The best times to visit Beijing are May or October. Beijing experiences temperature extremes. The highest recorded temperature is 42 degrees Celsius. The lowest is -27 degrees Celsius. Spring and fall offer the most comfortable weather.
Beijing was the first city to host both summer and winter Olympics. The Olympic Park is a major attraction. It was built for the 2008 Summer Olympics. China’s National Stadium, the Bird’s Nest, is an engineering marvel. The National Aquatics Center, the Water Cube, is also outstanding.
Hutongs offer a glimpse into old Beijing. These narrow streets sit between courtyard residences. These are known as siheyuan. They form the layout of old Beijing. Today, there are over 1,000 hutongs in the city. Hutongs have been around for over 700 years. They became popular during the Ming and Qing dynasties.