Known as Peking in Imperial China and Peiping in later times, Beijing is the second most populous city in the world . It is one of the oldest cities in the world and the center of Chinese culture and tradition. Beijing literally translates to Northern Capital .
Beijing has a long history of strife and revolution. Headquarters for the Tang Dynasty as early as 221 BC, it was later the seat of power for the succeeding Chinese Dynasties , like Jin , Khitan Liao and Jurchen Jin Dynasties. In 1267, the Mongol ruler Kublai Khan built his capital near Beijing , calling it Khanbaliq . In 1403, the Ming Emperor renamed Beijing to Jingshi or Capital City. It was in this period that the City landmarks like. The Forbidden City, The Temple of Heaven and the Tiananmen were built. After the Ming Dynasty, the Manchu Qing Dynasty came into power. From 1900 onwards, Beijing was consistently under siege from various warlords trying to overthrow the central ruler. After successive attacks by the Kuomintang in 1928 and the Japanese in the 1930s, it became the base for the Provisional Government of the Republic of China controlled by Japan. In 1949, after the Glorious Revolution, the Communist Armies entered Beijing unopposed. Mao Zedong announced the creation of the People's Republic of China on October 1 in Tiananmen and proclaimed Beijing as the Capital City .
Modern Beijing is a far cry from the earlier disorganized and chaotic city of the 1950s and 1960s. During the radical economic reforms carried out by the Xiaping Government, there was an increase in urban areas. However there were rampant problems of pollution, heavy traffic and loss of traditional and historical areas to indiscriminate building. Beijing has finally awakened to these issues. After several clean up drives, Beijing is now a sleek cosmopolitan center. The Chaoyang Central Business District is the most thriving and vibrant place in Modern Beijing. Located near the Beijing Airport, this area is also the center of the 2008 Olympic games. Shijingshan has been identified as the major industrial area.
The city's climate ranges from extremely cold windy winters to very hot and humid summers. The East Asian Monsoons also ensure heavy rains, most of which happens during the summer months.
Beijing boasts of a multi-ethnic populace. The majority are Hans and Manchus. There is also a burgeoning international community, which has settled in China because of the high yield economic situation. The language spoken commonly is Mandarin Chinese.
Some piquant sights and things to do in Beijing -
The Beijing Opera or Jingju is a testimonial to the rich Chinese culture. A combination of traditional songs and dance, elaborate costumes, dramatic dialogs and acrobatics make it a uniquely Chinese experience, which should not be missed by visitors.
Guided tours of the city's World Heritage sights. Visitors should definitely visit the Forbidden City and the beautiful Temple of Heaven . There are also many monasteries and palaces which can be visited.
Street performances by the “ Golden Girls ” - a group of feisty elderly women who sing and dance to traditional music.
Playing Chinese Chess is a popular pastime in Beijing . Groups of elderly people and even young children play this strangely addictive game in the city parks.
A must have for people visiting Beijing is the local Mandarin style cuisine, the highlight definitely being Peking Roast Duck. There are restaurants, which specialize, in traditional Manhan Quanxi or traditional banquet.
Tanghulu vendors still sit at street corners selling the typical sweet and sour, bright red sweets.
In spite of the rigid communist government, Beijing has a swinging nightlife. Youngsters prefer techno and trance music and pubs on Sanlitun Street and Wudaokou are popular hangouts.
