Beijing is China's center of political, economic, cultural and educational activities, it is also an important center for international trade and communications in China.
It is also the capital of China. This beautiful city covers an area of 16,640 square kilometers or 6,336 square miles and has a population of roughly 15 million people.
Beijing history dates back to more than 3,000 years and has survived such things as invasions from warlords and foreign powers, devastating fires, and the rise and fall of powerful imperial dynasties but has come out of it all to be, today, a strong, vibrant city.
This rich history has left Beijing with rich cultural treasures. The great wall for one and the most well known is a man made structure that winds for several kilometers. Next is the Summer Palace which has beautiful ancient Royal Gardens. Forbidden City is another of Beijing's beautiful treasures. It is the largest Royal Palace in the world. Finally there is Tiantan. This is where the Chinese in ancient times would defeat their ancestors, and is also the soul of ancient construction.
The best representations of Beijing though would be the vanishing Hutongs and Square Courtyards. They have become a symbol of Beijing's life for hundreds of years. One of the best examples is Tian'anmen square. This beautiful site contains clover leaf junctions and has tall amazing skyscrapers all over. The old time feel and modern culture together make Tian'anmen Square a brand new visage for Beijing.
Beijing may now be a modern and fashionable city but you can still experience authentic Beijing life in a variety of different ways. You can do this by visiting the various teahouses, temple fairs, the Hutong and Courtyard and by attending the Beijing Opera Houses.
Beijing is also a city with four distinct seasons. The best time to visit though would be in the late spring and autumn. During these seasons you will be able to experience bright sunshine and blue skies. May is especially a great time to visit because there is a lot of international class performances presented where you can enjoy different types of art from all over the globe. In the winter months you can enjoy skiing in Beihai and view the awesome snowy views on West Hill.
It is not good to dwell too much on the historical past of Beijing though as it will give way to a false impression that it is just another ancient city in its style. This is far from true as you stroll through Beijing you will find that it has just as much in common as let’s say New York.
So yes Beijing does have a vast and awesome history. It has been over 3,000 years in the making which shows through in the cultural designs. There are a variety of places to see and visit in Beijing as you have seen here. The different seasons and sites available make it an ideal tourism spot. Why don't you book a flight and experience the beauty and culture yourself.
