One of the city's most famous sons, novelist and playwright Lao She (1899-1966), described Beijing as "filthy, beautiful, decadent, bustling, chaotic, idle, lovable." Beijing pulsates with vitality and contradiction from sprawling imperial gardens to cramped hutong alleyways. Beijing was the centre of the universe for Ming dynasty emperors, who oversaw the construction of masterpieces such as the Temple of Heaven, the Forbidden City, and the later stages of the Great Wall of China. Today, there are a million reasons to visit Beijing. Beijing means business in Chinese culture and global popularity, from the Forbidden City with its ancient courtyards and temples to the vast Tiananmen Square, holding over a million people. The nation's cultural and political centre and China's second-largest city. It is woven with modern marvels and famous temples and gardens (the capital's modernisation drive before the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics resulted in creating iconic new buildings such as the CCTV Tower, Bird's Nest, and Water Cube). It can be more relaxed than Shanghai or Hong Kong, but it is just as crowded. Cabs and the subway are the best ways to get around, but renting a bike will allow you to see as much of Beijing as possible. It's a massive city with enviable sights strewn about. It became the capital of China in the 14th century during the Ming Dynasty, but its history dates back 3000 years. However, this city has confronted the modern world head-on, and it is a city of stark contrast. Explore the hutongs (narrow alleys) to taste the old town, and no holiday to Beijing is worth without a trip to the Great Wall. Capital: Beijing International Airport: Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) Population: 20,896,820 Currency: renminbi Time: Beijing, China (GMT+8) Driving Side: Right Main Electricity: 220V Official Language: Mandarin Religion: Buddhism, Daoism, Confucianism, Protestantism, Catholicism, Islam and folk religion.
Explore Beijing's most famous landmarks, including the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, the Summer Palace, and the Temple of Heaven. Explore the narrow historical hutong alleyways. See what a courtyard house is, go sightseeing, and go shopping. Look for Beijing delicacies. Look for restaurants that only locals know about. Enjoy top Chinese entertainment such as acrobatics, martial arts shows, and Beijing opera. Enjoy a stroll along the Mutianyu Great Wall, equipped with an advanced cable car, chairlift, and toboggan. Take a rickshaw of the hutongs and play with a Chinese yo-yo made of wood or bamboo courtyard of a hutong. Visit China, the National Museum of and go on a treasure hunt. Visit the Beijing Zoo and the Beijing Aquarium. Take a boat ride in Beihai Park.
