| an_apple | 2008-03-29 06:06 |
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Beijing, Jing for short, is the nation's political, economic, culturaland educational center as well as China's most important center forinternational trade and communications. Together with Xian, Luoyang,Kaifeng, Nanjing and Hangzhou, Beijing is one of the six ancient citiesin China. It has been the heart and soul of politics and societythroughout its long history and consequently there is an unparalleledwealth of discovery to delight and intrigue travelers as they exploreBeijing's ancient past and enjoy its exciting modern development. As the capital of the People's Republic of China, Beijing islocated in northern China, close to Tianjin Municipality and partiallysurrounded by Hebei Province. The city covers an area of more than16,410 square kilometers (6336 square miles) and has a population of14.93 million people.  Beijing is a city with four distinct seasons. Its best is latespring and autumn. But autumn is taken as the golden tourist season ofthe year since there is sometimes in the spring of recent years, ayellow wind. We suggest tourists visit Beijing during the months ofMay, September, and October when people can enjoy bright sunshine andblue skies. An abundance of international class performances arepresented in May. If you like winter, you will have other chances toappreciate another landscape of Beijing. After skiing in Beihai andviewing the snowy sights on West Hill, enjoying the steaming hotpot isthe best choice, which is really the fun of tour in Beijing. Pleasekeep warm and remember to bring your down garments and sweaters whenyou visit Beijing in the winter. How can one city boast so many phenomenal places? Beijing's longand illustrious history started some 500,000 years ago. It is here thatthe ancestors of modern Homo sapiens, Peking men, lived in caves.Records show that Beijing has been an inhabited city for more thanthree thousand years and has endured invasions by warlords and foreignpowers, devastating fires, the rise and fall of powerful imperialdynasties and has emerged each time as a strong and vibrant city. Formore than 800 years, Beijing was a capital city - from the Yuan Dynasty(1271 - 1368) to the Ming (1368 - 1644) and Qing (1644 - 1911)dynasties. Thirty-four emperors have lived and ruled the nation inBeijing and it has been an important trading city from its earliestdays. Although now Beijing is a modern and fashionable city completewith a full 21st Century vitality, you can experience authentic Beijinglife and become acquainted with 'old Beijing' by exploring its manyteahouses, temple fairs, Beijing's Hutong and Courtyard and enjoy thePeking Opera. Add any or all of these to your Beijing tour and you willleave with a feeling of special appreciation in your heart for thisancient city that has truly seen it all and tells its story withmatchless grace, charm and vigor. With the biggest central square in the world - Tian'anmen Square,the Forbidden City that is the largest and best-preserved imperialpalace complex, a superbly preserved section of the Great Wall, as wellas the largest sacrificial complex in the world - the Temple of Heaven,Beijing attracts both domestic and foreign visitors who all come towonder at its century-old history and unique cultural relics. Dwelling too much on the historical past of Beijing may givetourists the false impression that it is little more than an ancientcity in style but this is definitely not so! Strolling around Beijing,you'll find it has much in common with any other great metropoliselsewhere in today's world. There are towering skyscrapers; busyshopping malls and an endless stream of traffic that makes the citymuch the same as others. The most famous and popular commercial circlesand commercial pedestrian streets are predominantly located near theYansha Shopping Mall, Tiananmen and Wangfujing Street, Guomao ShoppingMall, Qianmen Street and Xidan Street, etc. However, although you willfind multinational chains with their own brands to offer, nowhere elseon earth will you find such a variety of gourmet Chinese restaurantsoffering the very best of the eight different styles of Chinese cuisineas well as western style dishes. Modern hotels abound, each offeringthe highest standards of service and convenience. After a day's exploration of the city, nighttime can hold othersurprises for you. These can vary from traditional performances such asthe Beijing Opera, acrobatics and martial arts to modern ones includingconcerts, ballroom dancing, pubs and clubs. Each and every one has itsindividual enchantment for the tourist. No description of our capitalcity is complete without mention of the friendly people who throng thestreets. Everywhere you will encounter smiling faces and a warmwelcome, especially from the children who love to say 'Hello!' Allthese things add up to truly make your visit a cultural experience of alifetime. Sources: 2008.sina.com.cn August 28, 2007 17:12 |
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