“Can you believe that’s only 60% that’s currently open to the public?” That is what you might say after exploring the vastness that is Beijing. Today we are not talking about Beijing in general. Our destination is \u4e94\u661f\u5ce1\u65ad\u5d16.
Beijing is an ancient city. Its history stretches back 3000 years. That is about as old as London. It is six times older than New York. Beijing has served as the capital for six notable Chinese governments. Over 700 years, China has been ruled from here. That is why there are many historical sites to explore.
Before it was called “Beijing” in 1403, the city had many names. These include Jicheng and Yanjing. Others were Nanjing and Zhongdu. Dadu and Beiping were also former names. Beijing means “Northern Capital”. It was the city’s 16th name.
Beijing boasts seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites. These include the Great Wall and the Forbidden City. The Summer Palace and the Temple of Heaven are also listed. The Ming Tombs and Peking Man Site at Zhoukoudian are on the list too. Finally, there is the Grand Canal.
Beijing is a cultural hub with unique architecture and cuisine. You cannot complete a Beijing culture tour without seeing imperial architecture. The Forbidden City is a prime example. You can also explore narrow hutong lanes with traditional courtyard houses. Performing arts like Beijing opera are also a must. Do not forget Beijing cuisine like roast duck.
Beijing is China’s second-largest city after Shanghai. The city has a population of almost 22.5 million. This is in an area of 16,800 square kilometers.
Beijing Capital International Airport is the world’s second-busiest airport. A 10-day visa-free transit policy makes the city a convenient destination now. Travelers from 54 countries can enjoy a 10-day trip in Beijing without a visa.
The best times to visit Beijing are May or October. Beijing’s temperatures can be extreme. The highest recorded temperature is 42 °C. The lowest is -27 °C.
Beijing was the first city to host both the Summer and Winter Olympics. The Olympic Park has the Bird’s Nest and the Water Cube.
Air quality in Beijing is improving. Breathing Beijing’s air for six average days is the equivalent of smoking one cigarette.
The Forbidden City is a key landmark in Beijing. Construction began in 1406. It was completed in 1420. For five centuries, it was the imperial residence for the Ming and Qing dynasties emperors. It showcases traditional Chinese architecture and Feng Shui principles. The Forbidden City is the largest imperial palace complex in the world. It holds over one million Chinese National Heritage items.
The Forbidden City has influenced architectural styles across East Asia. The buildings are arranged symmetrically along a central north-south axis. This aligns with Beijing’s urban layout. Yellow glazed tiles adorn the roofs. This symbolizes imperial power.
The Forbidden City employs wooden systems for flexibility against seismic forces. Columns rest freely on stone bases. Interlocking mortise-and-tenon joints provide stability. Lacquer coating and red pigment painting provide fire resistance. It became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987.
The Forbidden City was the site for imperial ceremonies. The complex’s layout emphasizes these rituals. The use of yellow tiles signifies royalty. Red walls symbolize prosperity.
The Forbidden City has over 980 buildings and more than 8728 rooms. The roofs have a special design. This keeps birds from landing.
If you want to see how large the Forbidden City is, visit nearby Jingshan Park. From there you can enjoy a hilltop view of the whole complex.