Beijing
Beijing, a metropolis in northern China, is the capital of the People's Republic of China (PRC). It was formerly known in English as Peking (English pronunciation (info))). Beijing is also one of the four municipalities of the PRC, which are equivalent to provinces in China's administrative structure. Beijing Municipality borders Hebei Province to the north, west, south, and for a small section in the east, and Tianjin Municipality to the southeast.
Beijing is China's second largest city in terms of population, after Shanghai. It is a major transportation hub, with dozens of railways, roads and expressways passing through the city. It is also the focal point of many international flights to China. Beijing is recognized as the political, educational, and cultural center of the People's Republic of China, while Shanghai and Hong Kong predominate in economic fields.
Beijing is one of the Four Great Ancient Capitals of China. It will host the 2008 Summer Olympics.
Tourist attractions
Despite the turmoil of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries — including damage caused by European military intervention, the Japanese invasion of WWII and the Cultural Revolution — and the recent intense urbanisation and transformation, including the demolition of hutongs, Beijing still maintains tourist attractions that are rich in history.
Although more known for its political significance in the West, the Tian'anmen (Gate of Heavenly Peace) has long been one of the most important tourist sites of Beijing, both by itself and as the main entrance to the Forbidden City. Other world-renowned sites include the Badaling section of the Great Wall of China, the Summer Palace, and the Temple of Heaven.
Buildings, monuments, and landmarks
Forbidden City (World Heritage Site)
Tiananmen Square, site of the Tiananmen Square protests of May 4, 1919, 1976, and 1989
Tiananmen (The Gate of Heavenly Peace)
Great Hall of the People (National Legislature)
National Museum of China
Monument to the People's Heroes
Mausoleum of Mao Zedong
The Summer Palace (World Heritage Site)
Ruins of the Old Summer Palace
Bell Tower and Drum Tower
Historic Hutongs and Siheyuans in many older neighborhoods
Lugou Bridge (Marco Polo Bridge)
Eight Mile Bridge (Ba Li Qiao)
Prince Gong's Mansion (Gong Wang Fu)
Zheng Yici Peking Opera Theatre
Liulichang Culture Street
Beijing Ancient Observatory
Geological Museum of China
Temples, cathedrals, and mosques
Temple of Heaven (World Heritage Site), situated in the southern area of urban Beijing
Temple of Earth, located in northern Beijing
Temple of Sun, situated in the eastern area of urban Beijing
Temple of Moon, located in western Beijing
Tanzhe Temple
Jietai Temple
Yunju Temple
Yonghegong (Lama Temple)
Guangji Temple
Confucius Temple
White Cloud Temple
Great Bell Temple
Fa Yuan Temple
Miaoying Temple
Zhen Jue Temple
Wanshou Temple
Five Pagoda Temple
Zhihua Si Temple
Temple of Azure Clouds
Temple of Recumbent Buddha
White Dagoba Temple in Beihai Park
Badachu
Immaculate Conception Cathedral
Holy Saviour Church
Niujie Mosque
Parks and gardens
Beihai Park
Shishahai
Jingshan Park
The Fragrant Hills (Xiangshan)
The Grandview Garden (Daguanyuan)
Beijing Botanical Garden
Taoranting Park
Beijing Zoo
Shopping and commercial districts
Wangfujing: Beijing's most upscale, globalized shopping district
Xidan
Silk Street
Beijing CBD
Beijing Financial Street
Zhongguancun
Yizhuang
Hotels and lodging
In first two decades following the PRC's foundation in 1949, Beijing had virtually no hotels (at least by Western standards), due to economic and social conditions at the time. One system of institution providing a place for individuals traveling to Beijing from other locations to spend the night was the zhaodaisuo (literally, "accommodation centre"). Zhaodaisuo were subordinate to state organisations or state organs. Older ones had communal public conveniences and amenities. Some zhaodaisuos still remain in use today.
In the late 1970s, Beijing, alongside much of China during the period of reform and economic opening under Deng Xiaoping, saw greater attempts at attracting and catering to international business. A large number of hotels and other facilities to accommodate business, tourist, and other visitors began to be constructed. Today, given Beijing's size and status as one of the most frequently visited and economically, politically, and culturally important cities in Asia, a great number of hotels exist, many rivalling the highest international standards.
The most well-known hotel is the Beijing Hotel, which is state-owned. Other notable hotels are the Great Wall Sheraton Hotel, the Kempinski Hotel Beijing Lufthansa Centre, the Jianguo Hotel, Raffles Beijing Hotel the China World Hotel, the St. Regis, Grand Hyatt at Oriental Plaza and the Peninsula Palace Hotel, operated by the Hong Kong-based Peninsula Group.
Youth hostels have become more and more popular in the last few years and there are now quite a few in Beijing. Most hostels are located in the downtown area of Beijing, on the East 3rd Ring Road or in the old Hutongs.
Nightlife
Nightlife in Beijing is varied. Most clubs are situated in the area around Sanlitun or in the region near the Workers Stadium, especially to the north and to the west. New clubs opened on Gongrentiyuchang West Road.
Wudaokou, in northwestern Beijing, is also a bustling nightlife center. There are more Koreans and other foreigners, mostly students, in the area.
The following areas of Beijing are known as hubs for bars which open until late:
Sanlitun
Houhai
Yuandadu