“Northern Capital” is what Beijing means. Now prepare to discover one small part of this ancient city. We are standing before the \u4e0b\u884c\u7b2c\u4e8c\u5d16.
Beijing is old. Its history stretches back 3000 years. That is about as old as London. It is six times older than New York.
This city has not always been called Beijing. Before 1403 it had many names. It was once called Jicheng. Another name was Yanjing. It was also Nanjing. Then Zhongdu. It was also Dadu. Another time it was Beiping. Beijing was the 16th name for the city.
Beijing has been China’s capital for over 700 years. That’s why there are so many historical sites. Beijing has seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites. These include the Great Wall and the Forbidden City. There is also the Summer Palace and the Temple of Heaven. The Ming Tombs are another. Don’t forget Peking Man Site at Zhoukoudian. And the Grand Canal too.
Beijing is a cultural hub. It has unique architecture arts and cuisine. The Forbidden City shows imperial architecture. The hutong lanes are lined with traditional courtyard houses. Beijing cuisine includes roast duck.
Beijing is big. Almost 22.5 million people live here. Its area is 16800 square kilometers. It is China’s second-largest city after Shanghai.
Beijing is a gateway city. Beijing Capital International Airport is the world’s second-busiest.
The best times to visit Beijing are May and October. Beijing’s weather can be extreme. The highest temperature was 42 degrees Celsius. The lowest was -27 degrees Celsius.
Beijing has hosted both Summer and Winter Olympics. The Olympic Park has the Bird’s Nest and Water Cube.
Beijing’s air quality is getting better. The city has worked to reduce pollution.
Beijing has a lot to offer visitors. Its long history and culture are fascinating. Enjoy exploring the \u4e0b\u884c\u7b2c\u4e8c\u5d16.