Beijing is the capital of the People's Republic of China. An old cultural city originally developed on the basis of the town of Ji or Jicheng, it covers an area of 16,000 square kilometres and has a population of 5.22 million. Some 500,000 years ago, human beings were already found here.

During the Spring and Autumn and the Warring States periods (770--221 B.C.), it was the capital of the state of Yan, hence the old name Yanjing (or Yan Capital). The Liao (916--1125) made it its second capital; the Kin (1271--1368) set up Dadu (or Great Capital). Later the Ming (1368--1644) and Qing (1644--1911)

both established their capital in Beijing. Seven hundred years' development has left the capital many world-renowned ancient structures, beautiful and superbly constructed imperial gardens, and a wealth of well-preserved cultural relics.

  Beijing has numerous scenic spots and historic sites. Its major tourist attractions amount to more than a hundred, such as Tiananmen Square, the former Imperial Palace, Beihai Park, Temple of Heaven, the Summer Palace, the Great Wall, the Ming Tombs, the Qing Eastern Tombs and Qing Western tombs, Zhoukoudian--home of Peking Man, Fragrant Hills Park, Great Bell Temple, Marco Polo Bridge, Great View Garden, Ten Ferries, Longqing Gorge, Beijing Observatory, the Lamasery of Harmony and Peace, White Cloud Temple, ruins of Yuanmingyuan, Recumbent Buddha Temple, Cloud and Water, Miyun International Playground, Zhongshan Park and Liulichang.

  There are more than a hundred of hotels in Beijing, such as the Beijing Hotel, Beijing International Hotel, Xiangshan Hotel, Shangrila Hotel, Overseas Chinese Mansion, Diaoyutai Guesthouse, Great Wall Hotel, Lidu Hotel, etc. Taxies are available at every hotel. Scheduled airliners connect Beijing with all other major Chinese and foreign cities. In addition, trips will be found convenient by train from Beijing to other parts of the country.

  As the capital of China for many centuries, Beijing developed its own cuisine featuring great variety and the unique styles of different localities. Among the most well-known are Beijing Roast Duck, Court Cuisine, and Rinsed Mutton in addition to dishes and foods of many different local flavours as those of Sichuan, Guangdong, Jiangsu and Shandong Provinces.

  Most superb and exquisite are Beijing's arts and handicrafts, which include jade carving, ivorycarving, cloisonn, carved lacquerwork and bottles with decoration painted inside, much prized by the customers.

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