“Northern Capital.” That was one of the sixteen names given to Beijing. We are standing before Ping An Temple a place possibly touched by this long and rich history.
Beijing’s story stretches back 3000 years. Imagine London but six times older. New York is nothing compared to this ancient city.
Beijing wasn’t always Beijing. Before 1403 it was Jicheng. Then it was Yanjing. Nanjing Zhongdu Dadu and Beiping were other names. Beijing means Northern Capital.
Six times Beijing was a capital city. The Yan State ruled from here in 221 BC. The Yuan Dynasty made it their national capital in 1271. Later the Ming and Qing dynasties followed. Even the Republic of China called Beijing its capital. Mao Zedong inaugurated the People’s Republic here in 1949.
Beijing holds seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The Great Wall stands as the longest wall. It is an amazing defensive structure. The Forbidden City is the largest palace on earth. Emperors spent summers at the Summer Palace. The Temple of Heaven is Beijing’s holiest imperial temple.
Beijing is China’s cultural hub. The Forbidden City showcases imperial architecture. Narrow hutong lanes reveal traditional courtyard houses. Beijing opera and roast duck represent local culture.
This city is huge. Almost 22.5 million people live here. That is almost as many as in all of Australia. Beijing is second in size only to Shanghai.
Beijing is a gateway to China. Its international airport is the world’s second busiest. A 10-day visa-free transit policy exists for many countries.
May and October are ideal for visits. Beijing’s temperatures swing wildly. It can reach 42°C or plummet to -27°C. Spring and fall offer the best weather.
Beijing hosted both Summer and Winter Olympics. The Bird’s Nest and Water Cube are modern architectural wonders.
Air quality is improving here. Efforts are being made to reduce pollution.
Remember Beijing’s layered past as you explore. Each dynasty left its mark. From ancient kingdoms to modern marvels Beijing continues to evolve. As we move on consider how this temple has witnessed centuries of change.