“What would it be like to stand where emperors once stood?” That’s the question I want you to consider as we gather here at \u8349\u7538\u5b50\u89c2\u666f\u53f0. This city has been the capital for six notable Chinese governments. China has been ruled from Beijing for over 700 years. That is why there are so many historical sites to explore.
Beijing is one of the oldest cities in the world. Its history traces back 3,000 years. It’s about as old as London. It is six times older than New York.
Before it was called Beijing in 1403, the city had many names. These names include Jicheng, Yanjing, and Nanjing. It was also called Zhongdu, Dadu, and Beiping. Beijing, meaning Northern Capital, was its 16th name.
Beijing is a cultural hub. It has unique architecture, arts, cuisine, and culture. A Beijing culture tour includes imperial architecture like the Forbidden City. It also includes hutong lanes and Beijing cuisine like roast duck.
Beijing is China’s second-largest city. Its municipality has almost 22.5 million people. The area spans 16,800 square kilometers. Shanghai is the only city larger than Beijing.
Beijing boasts seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites. These include the Great Wall and Forbidden City. You can also find the Summer Palace and the Temple of Heaven here. The Ming Tombs, Peking Man Site at Zhoukoudian, and the Grand Canal also reside here.
The Forbidden City is the largest palace in the world. It is China’s best-preserved imperial palace. It shows traditional Chinese architectural achievement. The Temple of Heaven is considered Beijing’s holiest imperial temple. The Summer Palace is the world’s largest imperial garden. Emperors spent their summers there.
Fresh stories continue to emerge from Beijing’s long history. Archaeologists work hard to uncover them. New discoveries span 2,000 years from the Western Zhou Dynasty to the Qing Dynasty.
Beijing’s stint as the national capital began 871 years ago. The Jin Dynasty moved its capital to Beijing in 1153. They called it Zhongdu meaning the central capital.
In 2014, Beijing declared a “War on Pollution”. By 2021, skies were the clearest since 2013.
So, as you gaze out from \u8349\u7538\u5b50\u89c2\u666f\u53f0, remember you are seeing more than just a view. You are witnessing a city that has been at the heart of Chinese history for millennia. Its story continues to unfold even today.