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"Beijing" a Beijing Travel Page by ValbyDK

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"Beijing" a Beijing Travel Page by ValbyDK

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ValbyDK   
Laughter is the shortest distance between two people (Victor Borge)


Real Name: Klaus
Lives In: Copenhagen, DK
Member Since: Mar 09, 2006
VT Rank: 575

 

Page Views: 769            Last Visit to Beijing: September, 2006      

Beijing

by ValbyDK - last update: Oct 12, 2008

Forbidden City

BEIJING - FACTS

Beijing (also formerly known in English as Peking) is the capital of China (People’s Republic of China). The city is China’s second largest city, after Shanghai, and has a population of 18 million. Beijing is recognised as the political, educational, and cultural centre of China while Shanghai and Hong Kong are dominating the economic fields.

Beijing is one of the Four Great Ancient Capitals of China and the city has a rich history and culture that goes back more than 3000 years. According to historical records, Beijing was in 1100BC the capital of the Yan state and was called Ji (the predecessor city of Beijing). In the following centuries, Ji was the capital of several minor kingdoms, “on/off capital” during the rule of various Emperors and also had a period under Mongolian rule. The city has been renamed many times during the years, but in 1421 Emperor Zhu Di changed the name to Beijing and after completion of the Forbidden City, he moved the capital from Nanjing to Beijing. Beijing has remained the capital of China except for a brief period (1928–49) when the capital was Nanjing (and Chongqing during World War II). In 1949, Beijing became the official capital of The People’s Republic of China.

The city hosted the 2008 Olympic Games.

Beijing Station

MY VISIT

I stayed 5 days in Beijing in September 2006. The city was getting ready for the Olympics and there were construction sites all around Beijing. Still I enjoyed my stay in Beijing; the city is full of interesting sights (The Forbidden City, The Summer Palace, Tiananmen Square, Temple of Heaven and more) and you can reach the Great Wall and the Ming Tombs on daytrips from Beijing.

People were very friendly, but only few could speak any English. However you always find a way to communicate anyway. Try to walk away from the main streets and into the small side alleys. It is here you find the daily life in Beijing – and many cheap restaurants (the Peking Roast Duck is a must).

Before I went to Beijing I read some stories about the air pollution in the city. It was not a problem for me while walking around in the city, but on some of my photos there is a strange kind of smog or mist hanging above the city.

Five days in Beijing was not enough for me – and I hope to go back some day.

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ValbyDK's Beijing Travel Tips

OverviewThings to Do
Tips: 13 - Photos: 24
 
RestaurantsHotels & Accommodations
Tips: 1 - Photos: 2
 
NightlifeOff The Beaten Path
Tips: 1
 
Tourist Traps
Tips: 1 - Photos: 1
Warnings Or Dangers
 
Transportation
Tips: 1
Local Customs
 
Packing ListsShopping
Tips: 1
 
Sports TravelGeneral Tips
Tips: 2

ValbyDK's Beijing Travelogues
Title [Click to view]Travel YearPictures
Forbidden City...September, 2006 6
Temple of Heaven...September, 2006 4
Summer Palace...September, 2006 5
Ming Tombs...September, 2006 2

Comments for ValbyDK about Beijing
marielexoteria Sun Oct 11, 2009 11:07 UTC
 You didn't try one of those strange things you mentioned in the food stands? ;)
hej-ansson Tue Jul 28, 2009 13:40 UTC
 Great pages of Beijing. Your photos are fantastic. HEJ :-)
volopolo Wed Nov 26, 2008 02:20 UTC
 My favorite palace: The Forbidden City. Also i like a lot China architecture: Zhengyangmen Gate! Excellent website!
SLLiew Fri Jul 18, 2008 12:32 UTC
 Great informative page of Beijing. Will be there soon for the Games.
See More Comments

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