Beijing is both a tribute to China's proud history and a gateway to China's future. The capital city during the Liao, Yuan, Ming and Qing Dynasties, Beijing has long been the political, cultural, and diplomatic center of China. It is now an international metropolis, home to 11 million people from all walks of life.
Alongside 7300 cultural relics and historic sites and more than 200 scenic spots -- including the world's largest palace, the Forbidden City, as well as the Great Wall, Summer Palace, and Temple of Heaven -- Beijing boasts an impressive modern skyline, a reflection of its rapid economic development. The recently expanded Beijing Capital International Airport is China's largest and most advanced airport.
August and September mark the end of summer and the beginning of autumn in Beijing, with temperatures ranging from 18 to 30 degrees Celsius. This is the best season to visit, with clear, blue skies allowing visitors to fully witness the charm and vastness of the city.
Beijing is about to hold 29th Olympic Games on August 8, 2008, and its success in winning the right to host the 2008 Olympic Games shows the world’s recognition and trust of China.
Beijing is a famous oriental city with profound history and splendid culture. You will be captivated by the magnificent Forbidden City, the scenic Summer Palace, the majestic Great Wall and the artistic Yuanmingyuan Garden, the Fragrant Hill, Tian An Men Square, Monument to the People`s heroes, the Memorial Hall to Chairman Mao, the Temple of Heaven, Beihai Park, Asian Games Village, the Yonghegong Lama Buddhist Temple, the Ming Tombs.
Beijing is the political, cultural and diplomatic centre of China. Cultures from all over the world as well as from all over China meet and merge together. "Beijing cuisine" derives its uniqueness from the blending of many food cultures including local cuisine, Islamic cuisine, royal cuisine, feudal official cuisine etc. Islamic cuisine which uses mainly beef and mutton has an important place in Beijing cuisine. Donglaishun's "Mutton Hotpot" has a long standing history and is loved by many for its special taste.
The Peking Duck, named "China's Tastiest Dish", is made of grilled "stuff duck". The two varieties of Peking Duck are hang-grilled duck represented by those served at Quanjude Restaurant and stew-grilled duck represented by those served at Bianyifang Restaurant.
As the capital city, Beijing offers not only the finest food from all over China but also international cuisines.
Beijing, as the capital of the People's Republic of China (PRC), is a mayor transportation hub, with a sophisticated network of roads, railways and a major airport. Four completed ring roads encircle a city with several expressways heading out in all compass, supplemented by China National Highways.
Beijing has two major railway stations: Beijing Railway Station (or the central station) and Beijing West Railway Station; along with several other smaller stations in Metropolitan Beijing handling commuter passenger traffic.
An extened Public Transporation Network exist with more than 500 bus routes and several Beijing Subway lines that are being expanded for the 2008 Summer Olympic Games.
Beijing's main airport is the Beijing Capital International Airport near Shunyi, which is about 20 kilometres northeast of the city. Flights from all major world destination land in Beijing airport. This airport is also a mayor hub for Chinese domesti flights.
Beijing's cultural scene is rich and colorful and consists of all kinds of performances and international shows and exhibitions. Peking opera, attributed as the quintessence of Chinese culture, has been around for more than 200 years. Its gallant costumes, melodious singing style and transforming face-painting impress its audience profoundly. The well-known Chang'an Grand Theater, Huguang Assembly Hall, Laoshe Teahouse and China National Opera House stage traditional opera performances regularly. Beijing has vibrant nightlife too and bars streets at Houhai and Sanlitun are among the favorite nightspots.
Quadrangle courtyard is the main residential architecture of the old Beijing. The narrow alleys formed between the walls of these courtyards buildings are the famous old Beijing Hutong (alleys). The Shishahai Alley tour is a special treat where tourists are transported on tricycles equipped with ding-donging wind-bells, and traveling down the winding alleys and passing by those enchanting courtyards will truly let you experience the charm of old Beijing.
Beijing has more than a hundred large and middle-sized shopping complexes. Wangfujin Street, Qianmen Dashilan and Xidan Commercial Street are the traditional shopping centres; whereas Guomao Shopping Centre, Oriental Plaza and Zhongguancun Square are new commercial hubs developed recently. These shopping centres will give you the greatest joy of shopping.
If you have an interest in antiques, you might want to visit Liulichang or Panjiayuan Antique City. If you are looking for export clothing, then you must not miss Xiushui Street and Yaxiu Clothing Wholesale Market. Buying some special local product and souvenir will enhance the joy of traveling too. Jingtailan cloisonne, jade, silk embroidery etc are very ancient; and native handicrafts such as clay figurine, Peking opera mask, kites, paper-cuttings etc are inexpensive and make excellent gifts for family and friends.
Pechino, nella Cina del Nord, occupa un’area di oltre 16.800 km quadrati (6.487 miglia quadrate) e ha una popolazione di 13 milioni di persone. Il periodo migliore per visitare Pechino è la tarda primavera e l’autunno, quando si può godere di uno splendido sole e cieli tersi. In quanto capitale cinese, Pechino è il centro politico, economico, culturale e educativo di tutta la nazione, e la base più importante per il commercio internazionale. La città vanta una storia di 500.000 anni, e sebbene appaia oggi moderna, alla moda e piena della vitalità tipica del 21esimo secolo, si può ancora riscoprire l’autentica vita di Pechino e la vecchia città visitando le case del tè, i tempi, Hutong e Courtyard, e l’Opera. Pechino ospita la più grande piazza del mondo - Piazza Tiananmen -, la città proibita, una parte della Muraglia Cinese e il Tempio del Paradiso, tutte queste attrazioni, la sua lunga storia e la sua cultura unica attraggono turisti dalla Cina e da tutto il mondo. Camminando per Pechino ci si renderà conto che questa città ha molto in comune con le grandi metropoli di tutto il mondo: ci sono grattacieli, grandi centri commerciali e code interminabili di traffico. I molti hotel moderni offrono elevati standard di servizio e comfort.