Beijing

Location: Location of the Municipality of Beijing within China 39° 54' 50' N, 116° 23' 30.

Settled:c. 473 BC

Population: 11,940,000

Urban Population: 17,430,000

Area: 16,801.25 km2 (6,487 sq mi)

Nationalities: Han 96%, Manchu 2%, Hui 2%, Mongolian 0.3%

Average Temperatures: Winter -3°C / 27°F
Summer 26°C / 79°F

Rivers: Yongding, Chaobai and North Canal

Telephone Code: 86

City Flower: Chinese rose and chrysanthemum

City Tree: Oriental arborvitae and cypress

Beijing has a long history. As early as 500,000 years ago, ancient "Peking Man" lived at Zhoukoudian 30 miles southwest of Beijing. King Wu was the first to declare Beijing the capital city in 1057 B.C. Established in 1045 B.C., Beijing is an ancient cultural city, serving for 800 years as the capital of the Liao, Jin, Yuan, Ming, and Qing Dynasties. Beijing was also known as Peking by the Western world before 1949. In the early nineteen twenties, Beijing became the cradle of China's new democratic revolution. The May Fourth Movement against imperialism and feudalism began in 1919. On October 1st, 1949, Chairman Mao announced to the world the founding of the People's Republic of China.Beijing is also known as a tourist city for its many places of interest, including ancient architecture, royal gardens, mansions, towers, temples, palaces, and modern structures. It is a gathering place of artists and other talented people.

Politics of Beijing

Municipal government is regulated by the local Chinese Communist Party (CCP) in issuing administrative orders, collecting taxes, and operating the economy. The local party authority is headed by the Beijing CPC Secretary. The local CCP also directs a standing committee of the Municipal People's Congress in making policy decisions and overseeing local government. Local government figures include a mayor, vice-mayor, and numerous bureaus focusing on law, public security, and other affairs. Additionally, as the capital of China, Beijing houses all the important national governmental and political institutions, including the National People's Congress.

Dining is a wonderful experience in the capital city. There are five star restaurants to entice food lovers from the four corners of the earth. Family restaurants serve regional cuisine. The city has many informal eating spots where the adventurous can try many local Beijing delicacies from the food hawkers. Take time and savor a Beijing (Peking) duck dinner.

There is western fare available to those who desire it. Chefs from different countries serve their national dishes. Chinese chefs are versatile in the cuisine of other nations. For those who chose fast food, there are many Japanese, Taiwanese and Western outlets.

Shopping is an experience in Beijing and the surrounding area. There are shopping malls where the shopper can spend days before making a repeat visit to a shop. Some shopping malls have amusement rides and water parks. The large markets have a wide variety of items for sale. The items span from spices, dried insects, ice cream to clothing. Also, there is an assortment of brand boutiques on Wangfujing Business Street.

There are many tourist destinations in and around the city. There is the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, the Summer Palace, and the Temple of Heaven. And of course, there are the Great Wall and the Ming Tombs.

Did You Know?
The guard towers along the outer walls of the Forbidden City are said to be modeled after cricket cages.

Mao's Mausoleum, which houses the preserved body of Chairman Mao a la Lenin style, also contains an exact replica of the Great Helmsman's corpse made entirely of wax. It is unknown whether the wax or real body is on display at any given time.

The last emperor of the Qing Puyi was allowed to continue living in the Forbidden City after abdicating in 1911 until the warlord Feng Yuxiang evicted him and his family in 1924.

To the first-time visitor, Beijing seems a vast and sprawling city. Characterized by long, wide boulevards and a labyrinthine network of overpasses and freeways, the place can be quite bewildering.

Fortunately, there is order in the chaos. At the heart of Beijing lies the Forbidden City, around which run five concentric ring roads. The first of these is barely worth mention, but the second and third are essential for navigating around town. Finally, the fourth and fifth is useful for commuting to the airport and outlying suburbs. These ring roads are broken down logically according to points of the compass, so "East Third Ring Road North Road" means the northernmost stretch of the eastern section of the Third Ring Road. Easy!

There are 10 districts and eight counties in Beijing municipality proper, with each district containing distinctive "areas". Most areas of interest are in the eastern Chao Yang and central Dong Cheng and Xi Cheng districts, which make up downtown. The following are highlights:

Chao Yang District

As the most concentrated commercial and residential area in Beijing, Chao Yang offers many areas of interest for the visitor. Within this district are Chao Yang Park, the San Li Tun nightlife area, and the Jian Guo Men and Ri Tan business and embassy districts. Chao Yang is also home to Beijing's pulsing artistic community, Da Shan Zi, which grew out of an old abandoned factory.

Jian Guo Men Wai and Ri Tan

You will always see a wide mix of international faces here: tourists, businesspeople and local Chinese. The main street, Jian Guo Men Wai Avenue, is a mad hustle of people, cars and vendors selling everything from pirated CDs to rickshaw rides. There are many major hotels and office buildings in the area, including the massive China World Hotel, where the fabulous restaurant and wine bar Area is located. Tourists can try their hand at bargaining at the ever-crowded Silk Alley. Just a few blocks away, however, one can find peace and quiet in the graceful tree-lined streets of the embassy area and in serene Ri Tan Park where you can sit by the lake with a cup of coffee at the famous Stone Boat Cafe.

San Li Tun

This is a loosely designated area of bars and pubs with San Li Tun North and South Streets at its heart. These are Beijing's premier people-watching spots. On a sunny day, this is the place to chill-out over drinks on the sidewalk patios and watch life go by. Besides the ubiquitous cafes and bars, you will also find numerous funky shops selling everything from framed prints to Tibetan handicrafts and clothes. The nearby San Li Tun Market is a good place for bargains on designer goods. The fourth floor is outfitted with tailors ready to whip up any clothing item you desire, made to order at bargain prices and in a very agreeable amount of time. Nighttime always reveals the decadent side of San Li Tun. Bar and club goers can start out the night at Q Bar for top notch cocktails, and then head to Den and Vogue.

Chao Yang Park

The expansive Chao Yang Park is being touted as the next people-watching hang-out to rival San Li Tun. Upscale bars, pubs, restaurants and shops have recently located here, catering to Beijing's ever growing expat community which centers itself near the park. Cap off the day by heading over to the Big Easy for some spicy Cajun cooking and live blues. Afterwards party the night away at one of Beijing's hottest clubs, World of Suzie Wong Club.

Da Shan Zi

Created with the help of East German specialists in the 1950's (from which the Bauhaus-inspired architecture can be attributed) the factories and workshops of Da Shan Zi that once produced the audio equipment for the Workers' Stadium and Tiananmen Square now house tinkering sculptors, paint-smudged artists and lots of space to display the energies of Beijing's Avant-garde artistic community. By a stroke of fate, in the mid-1990s artists evicted from subsidized housing within the Old Summer Palace grounds looking for cheap space and the managers of the defunct factory were able to fit each others' needs. Word of mouth drew more artists to the factory campus and by 2002 a full fledged artist community was up and running. Central to the Da Shan Zi community is the 798 Space where events, fashion shows, and exhibitions are often held. If you are in Beijing in October, they also host the most outstanding Halloween party in town. The former factory grounds are open to the public free of charge and offer a campus-like feeling of quiet tree lined paths, creative whimsy and plenty of opportunities to purchase a bit pf artistic history in the making.

Chong Wen District

Located in the south of the city, this is a long-established commercial area, selling everything from eyeglasses to sporting goods. Check out the Qian Men Shopping Area for some of Beijing's oldest stores. The area is also worth visiting to see the beautiful Temple of Heaven and the Hong Qiao Market, a treasure-trove of objects both banal and bizarre. The open markets still capture some of the Old Beijing atmosphere and are fun for browsing even if you are not shopping.

Dong Cheng District

With Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, and Mao's Mausoleum, this district is Tourist Central. Not surprisingly, major hotels abound here-such as the Beijing Hotel. If you are tired of sightseeing, you can always indulge in a serious shopping spree in the Wang Fu Jing Shopping District.

Wang Fu Jing

This is Beijing's premier shopping street. It is partially closed to cars and is crowded at all times of the day with shopaholics and tourists alike. Recently unveiled to the public after months of renovation, this wide, sprawling street is a showcase of Beijing's economic progress. Stop off at the Beijing Foreign Language Bookstore to pick up a Chinese dictionary or the latest John Grisham potboiler. Go shopping at the Sun Dong An Plaza, Beijing's mammoth shopping mall. Feeling peckish? Then dine on deep-fried scorpion among other culinary delights at the Wang Fu Jing Night Market. If the idea of chomping on insects does not appeal, try upscale dining at one of several four- and five-star hotels in the area.

Feng Tai District

This southwest district Beijing will house the Yangtai Sports Center where the Olympic softball tournament will be held . Mainly an industrial area, there are several cultural and historical sites worth visiting, such as the China Space Museum, Feng Tai Park and Marco Polo Bridge.

Hai Dian District

This northwestern part of the city is also known as the university district. Along with Beijing University and Qinghua University, who compete to be China's top school, are ten other major universities. Owing to the young student population, this area has a reputation for being rather hip and arty. Hai Dian district is also designated a high-technology zone, so this is where you will find the aspiring start-up. Along with cheap restaurants and casual bars that cater specifically to the student crowd-Solutions, for example, are more upscale tastes and bookstores for the academically minded. Check out the old map section in 02 Sun Bookstore, or get a healthy desert at Cafe Yogur Berry. The Summer Palace , a World Heritage site, and Ruins of the Old Summer Palace , or Yuan Ming Yuan are also in Hai Dian.

Xi Dan and Xuan Wu

Like Wang Fu Jing, these areas are known largely for their shopping. While the former is a place to be seen, local Chinese people shop in Xi Dan and Xuan Wu. In imperial times Xuan Wu was reserved for the lower classes. After the republic was established several minorities moved in to the district and up to Beijing's preparations for the Olympics the district was known as "Little Lanzhou" with a large Hui ethnic minority population. Browse the small shops and stalls for bargains on clothing, shoes and CDs. Shopping centers here include Parksons and the Xi Dan Department Store.

Xicheng District

Known as the west city district, Xicheng covers a great deal of the old city. It is just west of the Forbidden City and epitomizes the blending of an old and new China. Once the home of wealthy merchants prior to communism it is now an important part of the city and is often considered the cultural, historical, business, financial, and political district of Beijing. The street of finance, Jinrongjie, is located here as is the commercial district. If you are looking for nature look no farther than Jing Shan Park and the Beijing Zoo. For the ultimate experience of old Beijing visit Beihai Park, Beijing's oldest park dating back to the 10th century. The Hou Hai area offers entertainment and dining (Beijing punk made its early debut here) and is also the gateway to Beijing's famous hutongs, an architect's delight. For good drinks and music visit the East Shore Live Jazz Cafe or the Buddha Bar.

The Great Wall

Without a doubt, the Great Wall is one of the most amazing structures ever built. Seen from a distance, the Wall is an awesome spectacle, snaking across the hills of northern China seemingly without end. The Wall stretches from Shan Hai Guan Pass on the east coast to the Jia Yu Guan Pass in the Gobi Desert, far to the west. Originally built 2,000 years ago during the Qin Dynasty (221-207 BC), the Wall was designed to keep out foreign invaders-in which capacity it succeeded at times and failed dismally at others. Constructed with beacon towers, it also served as an enemy alert system by using smoke systems to warn of approaching enemies. In peacetime, the Wall has proved useful as a highway, transporting people and supplies over large distances. Most stretches of the Wall close to Beijing were rebuilt or re-fortified during the Ming Dynasty. Of the eight sites of the Great Wall, there are four sections near Beijing open to tourists: Badaling, Mutianyu, Huanghuacheng and Simatai. The majority of visitors see Badaling, which is relatively close (70 kilometres) to the city. Restored in 1957, Badaling is the most commercial section of the Wall and comes with such modern conveniences as restaurants and a cinema. Here you can also visit the Great Wall Museum to acquaint yourself more with this historical marvel. Mutianyu, 90 kilometres from Beijing, is the second site of the wall open to tourists and is also fairly commercial. For those who want to see the Great Wall in an unspoiled state, Simatai is the place to go. You can spend an enjoyable day hiking there and the site is quieter and less crowded than Badaling or Mutianyu. Although both peaceful and beautiful, Simatai is also a physical challenge. Some parts of the wall are very steep and can be dangerous so it is best not to go alone. Wear sturdy shoes and keep your hands free.

Forbidden City (Gu Gong)

Home to two dynasties, the Ming and the Qing, the Forbidden City was constructed in the 15th century, and was home to about 24 emperors. Under the reign of Yong Le of the Ming Dynasty, the construction of the Imperial Palace complex required the effort of a million laborers. Most of the buildings have been rebuilt or restored as the originals were destroyed during the tumultuous events of recent Chinese history. The palace is massive with a lot of ground to cover. It is probably best to go with a tour group so that you do not miss anything, but an audiotape tour is also available. Located inside is the Palace Museum. You will see various grand temples and halls but the main highlights are the Three Great Halls, and the Hall of Supreme Harmony. The latter hall was traditionally the most important structure used for imperial ceremonies such as the Emperor's birthday. Nearby is also the Beijing Museum of Natural History where you can explore the evolution of life. While in the area you may want to visit the B Beijing Museum of Ancient Architecture which elaborates on the the achievements of the tradition of unique Chinese architecture.

Temple of Heaven (Tian Tan)

The Temple of Heaven was built during the Ming Dynasty and was considered sacred until the end of the dynastic era. The Emperor would perform ceremonial rites to the gods here, to ensure a good harvest. But this place is also remarkable for its outstanding architecture and is located within the grounds of the Beijing Museum of Ancient Architecture and the Beijing Museum of Natural History. The upper parts of the temples are circular while the bases are square (reflecting the traditional Chinese belief that heaven is round and the earth square). Next venture to the most significant Tibetan Buddhist temple outside Tibet itself, is the Lama Temple, a beautiful structure containing a massive statue of Buddha carved from sandalwood (the largest such statue in the world). This temple has a rich and turbulent history, having survived wars, uprisings and rebellions. Declared as a historical relic in 1949, the building escaped the Cultural Revolution without a scratch. There are five "must see" halls in total: Lokapala, Yong He Dian, Yong You Dian, the Hall of the Wheel of Law, and Wan Fu Pavilion. Do not miss a single one!

Beijing Churches

South Cathedral - Church of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin
Location: 141 Qianmenxi Dajie, Xuanwu District
141 Subway Line 2 Xuanwumen Station
Mass Times: Monday to Friday 6.00am (Latin) 6.30 & 7.15 am (Chinese)
Saturday 6.30 pm (Chinese)
Sunday 6.00am (Latin) 7.00 & 8.30 am (Chinese) 10.00am & 4.00 pm (English)

The church was first erected in the middle of the 16th century on the former site of the Donglin party, a political clique active in the late Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). When the Italian missionary Matteo Ricci came to China during the reign of Emperor Wanli in Ming Dynasty, the emperor provided him with a residence which stood slightly west of the cathedral. An English service mass is only available at 10 am, December 25.To get there: Take the loop subway to Xuanwumen Station. The church is a few metres from the northeast exit of the station.

The Northern Cathedral - Church of the Sacred Heart
Location: 33 Xishiku Dajie Xi' anmen, Xicheng Distric 33
Subway Line 2 Fuchengmen  Station
Mass Times: Mass times vary, 8.00am on a Sunday is the safest bet.

Xishiku Church is now the largest Catholic Church in Beijing. The style of the building is in typical Gothic style and it is famous for its grand architecture.Built in 1890 by a French mission, the church was formerly the centre of a great complex of schools, orphanages and hospitals. The building has a tall, wide nave with side aisles, octagonal transepts and a huge sanctuary. There are many chandeliers, plus large, painted stations of the cross, antique stained glass and the remains of old wall decorations. To get there: Take bus routes 103 or 109 to Fuyoujie Station.

St. Michael's Church

Location:
Jia 13 Dongjiaominxiang, Dongcheng District.
13 Subway Line 2 or 5 Chongwemen  Station
Mass Times: Weekdays 6.30 & 7.00am (Chinese)
Fridays 7.00 pm
Saturday and Sunday 7.00am (Latin) 8.00am & 6.00 pm (Chinese) 10.30 am


This church is the old French embassy church, quiet, calm, placid, it stands in the old legation quarter, a remnant part of Beijing from a period when the imperial west was overtly attempting to have control of China and its huge market (visit Wangfujing Dajie to see the modern equivalent). Approaching the church up the tree lined Dongjiaominxiang Jie from Chongwenmen station is a charming walk. The church sits nestled in a corner amongst old unfurling trees; a small shop just inside the gate sells rosaries and other religious paraphernalia.

The Eastern Cathedral -
St. Joseph's Church
Location: 74 Wangfujing Dajie, Dongcheng District.
74 Subway Line 5 Dengshikou Station
Mass Times: Weekdays 6.30 & 7.00am (Chinese)
Saturday 6.30 & 7.00am (Chinese)
Sunday 6.15 am (Latin) 7.00 & 8.00am (Chinese)
Located east of central Wangfujing Street, the Catholic East Church, or Wangfujing

Catholic Church, is one of the best-preserved religious sites in the heart of Beijing.
The East Church was originally called Saint Joseph's Church, and was built in the 12th year (1655) of Emperor Shunzhi during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). It was the second Catholic church built in Beijing after Italian preacher Matteo Ricci built the "South Church" in southern Beijing at the end of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644).To get there: Take the line one subway to Wangfujing Station. The church is about 500 metres north of the northwest station exit.