Beijing Facts: Introduction, Location, History and Attractions

The city of Beijing (Peking) is the capital of the People’s Republic of China. It is where the national government is located and also one of the largest cities in the world. It is one of the most populated place in the world with a 20 million population. It occupies 16807.8 square kms in total with 750 square kms of urban area. The city of Los Angeles is 1200 square kms so geographically Beijing is four times larger than LA. Beijing is located northeast of China, on the same latitude as Philadelphia in Pennsylvania and Columbus in Ohio. It has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons- snowy winter, warm spring, hot and dry summer and cool and windy falls. The best time to visit Beijing is fall when it’s cool down from summer heat and yellowish and reddish maple leaves make the place 

colorful.

Maple Leaves in Fall

The history of the city of Beijing traces back to 3000 years ago. It has been the capital of China for about 860 years. It has 6 world history human legacy sites and numerous other places of interest, such as men Great Wall, Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, Summer Palace, Temple of Heaven,  Beijing National Stadium, Beijing National Aquatics Center,  Ming Dynasty Tombs, Yonghe Temple, National Center for the Performing Arts etc.

Emperial Palace

Beijing is the center of politics, economics, education, sports facilities, arts, finance, and media of China. It is the headquarter of Chinese government. It is the richest and most developed city in China. It has the most prestigious university in China and the most influential financial facilities. In 2010, 21 top Forbes 500 companies put their headquarters in Beijing and 447 world famous companies have offices in Beijing. Beijing held Asian Games in 1990, 21^st World University Games, and Beijing Olympic Games and Paralympic Games in 2008. Beijing has 6149 sports stadiums, including well-known National Stadium and National Swimming Center.

National Stadium

Beijing is a transport hub, with a sophisticated network of roads, railways and 6 airports. Five completed ring roads encircle a city with nine expressways heading in virtually all compass direction, supplemented by elven China National Highways.

Beijing-Subway

The traditional architectures in Beijing is worth seeing. The Imperial Palace in the Forbidden City is the largest palace complex existing in the world.  The Temple of Heaven is where the ancient emperors worship gods. Hutong and Siheyuan (Square Yard) are referred to the typical Beijing local residence housing.

Great Wall

Apart from site seeing, you can watch Peking Opera in the theater, visit museums and galleries, go hiking on the Great Wall, go shopping, enjoy Beijing local snacks and food as well as cuisine from all over the world, sing Karaoke with friends or visit Pubs at night. You will find a lot of fun stuff to do 7/24.