| Page Views: 769 Last Visit to Beijing: September, 2006 | Beijing by ValbyDK - last update: Oct 12, 2008 |
|  | 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.
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| | 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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 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. |
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