| BEIJING - ANCIENT CITY, MODERN TIMES |
A sprawling, massive city of more
than 14 million people, Beijing got its start as a small northern trade outpost
and grew over thousands of years to become the Chinese capital. The Summer
Olympics, set to start at 8:08 pm on August 8, 2008 (eight is associated with
prosperity in Chinese culture), will focus the world's attention on this
fascinating city, which has undergone tremendous building and growth ahead of
the games. Architecture buffs will be amazed by the volume of new, futuristic
buildings, which include the new Olympic stadium, the just opened Terminal 3 at
Beijing Capital Airport and the National Aquatics Centre. And while much of old
Beijing is being torn down to be replaced by shining, modern towers at an
incredible speed, visitors can still find glimpses of the ancient city, from the
red pavilions of the Forbidden Palace to the twisting, old hutongs (or courtyard
neighborhoods) found throughout the city.
Besides history, Beijing
offers luxurious new hotels, modern and traditional restaurants (Beijing roast
duck is the capital city's most famous dish), contemporary art and age-old
cultural displays like Beijing opera. Nearby is the Great Wall, an ideal day
trip for those who want to scale the undulating paths and turrets of the rebuilt
sections. Those who stay within the city's central districts will be rewarded
with bustling markets (jade and pearls are popular treasures to haggle for) and
peaceful gardens and temples. |
| CITY INFORMATION |
|
Country: People's Republic of China
Population: 17,430,000
Elevation: 43.5 m (143 ft)
Districts: Chaoyang, Dongcheng, Haidian, Shunyi, Xicheng
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| WHAT TO SEE |
|
With three World Heritage sites, Buddhist temples and gorgeous Ming dynasty
courtyards throughout the city, Beijing is a place where reminders are the past
are pervasive, even as its citizens move steadfastly towards the future. The
Forbidden City, a huge complex of preserved pavilions, temples and courtyards
used since the 1400s as an imperial palace, is the city's top sight, and lies
across from the famed Tiananmen Square, the world's largest public space. Other
must-see spaces include the Temple of Heaven, an impressive, expansive complex
of temples used for more than 600 hundred years by emperors as a place of
worship, and the Summer Palaces, gorgeous landscaped parks in the northern part
of the city that were once imperial playgrounds. |
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