About Beijing

Aside from being the capital of the People's Republic of China, Beijing is also a major port for transportation of all kinds, including railroads, airlines, and road ways. It is the second largest city in China, and as such is also a major tourist destination for foreigners visiting the country, which helps fund the economy.

Beijing is located in the northeastern area of China, below Mongolia and across the bay from North Korea. While the city itself is situated on flat lands, it lies near two different mountain ranges, the Xishan and Yanshan.

Originally this city was known as Peking, and was one of the Four Great Ancient Capitals of China. It has been renamed more than once, depending on the dynasty that held power during certain times, such as being called Zhongdu during the Jin Dynasty and Daidu during the Mongol Yuan Dynasty. It is one of the oldest areas inhabited by human beings in the world, with fossils found in the area dating back over 230,000 years.

Beijing is home to many ubiquitous historical buildings and places, including the Forbidden City (where the emperors of China once lived), Tian'anmen (which was the entrance to the Imperial City -- located inside the Forbidden City), and the Temple of Heaven (a Taoist complex once visited by Chinese emperors for important ceremonies.) The local language of Beijing is a dialect that derives from the Mandarin language. Beijing opera, teahouses, and Mandarin cuisine are all aspects of the Beijing culture, as well as a growing nightlife that includes clubs and bars.

The rainy season in Beijing usually falls during the months of July and August, when the city gets up to 9 inches of precipitation. Winter falls at a similar time to the United States, with the coldest temperatures during the months of October through March. If you are traveling to Beijing and are hoping for warm, spring or summer like weather with little rain, you may want to try the months of May, June and September.

Beijing has a problem with air pollution levels, though attempts have been made since before the 2008 Summer Olympic Games to clean up the air quality in the city. Though much has been done to control the amount of toxins in the air and make it safer for everyone living in and visiting Beijing, you should be aware that there is an air pollution problem in the area.