Perhaps it seems impossible that Beijing is one of the oldest cities in the world. Beijing’s story stretches back 3,000 years. It rivals London in age, dwarfing New York and Sydney. Today we are in front of the \u7965\u4e91\u53f0. But it was not always called Beijing.
Before 1403 it was called Jicheng, Yanjing, Nanjing, Zhongdu, Dadu, and Beiping. Beijing means Northern Capital. Beijing has served as capital for six notable Chinese governments. China has been ruled from here for over 700 years.
Beijing proudly showcases seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The Great Wall stands as an ancient defensive marvel. The Forbidden City shows traditional Chinese architectural achievement. The Temple of Heaven is considered the holiest imperial temple. The Summer Palace is the largest imperial garden. The Ming Tombs, Peking Man Site at Zhoukoudian, and the Grand Canal are all here too.
Beijing is a cultural hub. Its architecture, arts, cuisine are all unique. Don’t miss imperial architecture like the Forbidden City. Explore the hutong lanes lined with courtyard houses. Enjoy performing arts like Beijing opera. Taste Beijing cuisine like roast duck.
With almost 22.5 million people, Beijing is China’s second-largest city. It covers 16,800 square kilometers. Planning your time is essential. Traffic and crowds can be challenging.
Beijing Capital International Airport is a major gateway. It is the world’s second-busiest airport. A 10-day visa-free transit policy makes visiting easier. From Beijing, you can travel to other Chinese destinations by plane or bullet train.
May and October are ideal for visits. Beijing experiences extreme temperatures. The highest is 42°C. The lowest is -27°C. Spring and fall offer the most comfortable weather.
Beijing hosted both Summer and Winter Olympics. The Olympic Park features the Bird’s Nest and Water Cube. These are modern engineering marvels.
Air quality in Beijing is improving. Efforts have reduced pollution.
Beijing is the political, educational, and cultural center of China. It stands as China’s premier tourist destination.