Beijing, an ancient city, and capital of People’s Republic of China, is the political, cultural, domestic and international communication center of China, and is a famous, ancient historical and cultural city in the world. In 1040 B.C., Beijing was built in the current Guang’anmen, Xuanwu District. So it has a history of over 3,000 years. In 938 A.D., the kingdom of Liao, which reigns over north China, takes Beijing (called Yanjing at that time) as the provisional capital; Being capital of Yuan, Ming, and Qing Dynasty, Beijing has over 850 years’ history as the capital; on Oct. 1, 1949, the P.R.C. was founded and Beijing is decided as the capital of new China. 

Beijing in Chinese Pinyin: Běijīng

Beijing in simple Chinese: 北京

Location:Beijing is located in the northwest edge of north China plain, adjacent to the Bohai bay.

Geographic Position: 115.7°E-117.4°E, 39.4°N-41.6°N

Area: 16410.51 square kilometers.

Population: 20,693,000（2012）

Main Ethnic Groups: Hui, Man, Mongolian and Han.

Area Code: (+86）010

Zip Code: 100000

City Tree: Pagoda tree

City Flower: Chinese Rose

Language: Beijing Dialect (Putong Hua)

Religions

Beijing is a meeting place for many people. The diverse religion such as Buddhism, Taoism, Islamism, Catholicism, Christianism plays an active role in Beijing’s historical and artistic development. 

Great Events of Beijing in History

1. In 11 Century B.C., Shao Gong in the West Zhou Dynasty built Yan near current Beijing.

2. The early years of the Yuan Dynasty, Kubla Khan changed Yanjing into Zhongdu, and Beijing started to be the capital of the country. 

3. In the lunar January of 1403, the Yongle Reign, Emperor Zhu Di change Beiping into Beijing, and moved the capital to Beijing. The name Beijing started to be used. 

4. In 1644, Emperor Fulin was enthroned in Beijing, and made Beijing the capital in the imperial edict.

5. On Oct. 1, 1949, People’s Republic of China was founded. The dounding ceremony was held in Tian’anmen, the capital Beijing.

6. In 1987, the Great Wall, the Palace Museum, and the Zhoukoudian Peking Man Site were ranked in the World Heritage List by the UNESCO.

7. In 1998, the Temple of the Heaven and the Summer Palace were ranked in the World Heritage List by the UNESCO.

8. In July 3, 2003, the Ming Tombs was ranked in the World Heritage List by the UNESCO. In July, 13, 2001, Beijing won the bid to host the 2008 Summer Olympic Games. 

Administrative Divisions

Beijing administers 14 districts 2 counties:

◎14 districts

Dongcheng District, Xicheng District, Haidian District, Chaoyang District, Fengtai District, Shijingshan District, Tongzhou District, Shunyi District, Fangshan District, Daxing District, Changping District, Huairou District, Pinggu District and Mentougou District.

◎2 counties

Miyun county, Yanqing county.

Transportation

◎Airport

Beijing capital international airport, Beijing Nanyuan Airport

◎Train

Beijing Station, Beijing West Railway Station, Beijing South Railway Station, etc.

◎Length of subway

It is 54 kilometers (by 2000). More than 100 kilometers will be built from 2001-2005.

◎Length of roads

It is 1,200 kilometers (by 2000). More than 700 kilometers will be built from 2001-2005.

◎Number of automobiles

1.58 million (By 2000)

◎Number of bicycles

8 million

Number of hospitals

More than 50 large-scale and specialized hospitals, some 5,940 community hospitals, clinics and healthcare centers.

Main Tourist Attractions

Tiananmen square, the Forbidden City, The temple of heaven, The Summer Palace, Badaling Great Wall, Ming tombs, The Hutongs, etc.

Museums

China National Museum, Military Museum of Chinese People’s Revolution, China Science & Technology Museum, Beijing Capital Museum, World Art Gallery of China Millennium Monument, National Art Museum of China

Colleges and Universities

Peking University

Tsinghua University

Renmin University of China

Beijing normal university

Beihang University

China University of Geosciences

Beijing Broadcasting Institute

Beijing Foreign Studies University

Beijing Forestry University

Beijing Jiaotong University

Beijing Language and Culture University

Beijing University of Chemical Technology

Central Academy of Drama

Central University of Finance and Economics

Minzu University of China

University of Science and Technology Beijing

Beijing University of Petroleum

China University of Political Science and Law

Climate

The climate of Beijing is Temperate monsoon climate, its annual average temperature is 14.0℃. Its Highest temperature is 42℃ and Lowest temperature is -27℃.

Shopping Streets

 Wangfujing Street, Liulichang, Qianmen Street

Sister Cities

◎Asia

Tel Aviv, Astana, Manila, Hanoi, Seoul, Bangkok, Islamabad, Jakarta, Ankara and Tokyo.

◎Europe

Lisbon, Bucharest, Athens, Madrid Autonomous Community, Rome, Paris, Moscow, Amsterdam, Brussels, Berlin, Kiev, Koln, Ile de France, Madrid, Belgrade, Budapest, London, Helsinki and Tirana.

◎America

Havana, Ottawa, Buenos Aires, Rio de Janeiro, Washington D.C., Lima and New York.

◎Oceania

Canberra and Wellington.

◎Africa

Doha Qatar, Addis Ababa, Gauteng and Cairo.

Special Local Products

Beijing Roast Duck, Cloisonne, Beijing Preserved Fruit, Huairou Chestnuts, Pinggu Fresh Peaches, Steamed Sponge Cake, etc.

Food

Beijing Roast Duck, Mutton Hotpot, Man-han Banquet, Stir-fried Liver Beijing Style, Almond Tea, All Fish Feast, etc.