BEIJING Beijing is a metropolis in northern China and the
capital of the People's Republic of China. Beijing is a major
transportation hub, with dozens of railways, roads and motorways
passing through the city. It is also the focal point of many
international flights to China. Beijing is recognized as the
political, educational, and cultural center of the People's
Republic of China. The best times to visit Beijing are spring
(April and May are nicest) and fall (September and October can be
beautiful). Beijing or Peking means "northern capital". The term
Peking originated with French missionaries four hundred years ago
and corresponds to an older pronunciation. The city has been
renamed several times: (Jin Dynasty) Zhongdu, (Mongol Yuan Dynasty)
Dadu, (Ming Dynasty) Hongwu, Beiping (Peiping)= ''northern peace,
Nanjing, Yanjing. October 1st 1949. Communist Party Of China, under
the leadership of Mao Zedong announced in Tiananmen the creation of
the People's Republic of China and renamed the city back to
Beijing. Beijing is situated at the northern tip of the roughly
triangular North China Plain, which opens to the south and east of
the city. Mountains to the north, northwest and west shield the
city and northern China's agricultural heartland from the
encroaching desert steppes. The city's climate is a
monsoon-influenced humid continental climate, characterized by hot,
humid summers due to the East Asian monsoon, and generally cold,
windy, dry winters that reflect the influence of the vast Siberian
anticyclone. Television and radio: CCTV, Beijing Television(BTV),
China Radio International, Radio 774. Press: Beijing Evening News
(Beijing Wanbao), The Beijing News (Xin Jing Bao), the Beijing Star
Daily, the Beijing Morning News, and the Beijing Youth Daily
(Beijing Qingnian Bao), Beijing Weekly, Beijing Today, Youth Daily,
People's Daily, City Weekend, Beijing This Month, Beijing Talk,
That's Beijing, MetroZine. Sports: Chinese Super League, Beijing
Guoan, Chinese Football Association Jia League, Beijing Hongdeng,
Beijing Institute of Technology FC, Chinese Basketball Association,
Beijing Ducks, Women's Chinese Basketball Association, Beijing
Shougang, Asia League Ice Hockey, China Sharks, China Baseball
League, Beijing Tigers. Slide 2 The Forbidden City (Zijin Cheng)
The Forbidden City was the Chinese imperial palace from the Ming
Dynasty to the end of the Qing Dynasty. It is located in the middle
of Beijing, China, and now houses the Palace Museum. For almost
five centuries, it served as the home of the Emperor and his
household, as well as the ceremonial and political centre of
Chinese government. The complex consists 980 surviving buildings
with 8,707 bays of rooms and covers 720,000 square meters.
Forbidden City, which is located north of the Tiananmen Square, and
to whom is going through the same gate, UNESCO declared World
Heritage in 1987. year. Building forbidden city started the 1406th
year. It took 14 years and about 200,000 workers to complete the
complex. It is protected by UNESCO. Part of his name - Forbidden
refers to the fact that no one could enter or leave the palace
without the permission of the emperor. The design of the Forbidden
City, from its overall layout to the smallest detail, was
meticulously planned to reflect philosophical and religious
principles, and above all to symbolize the majesty of Imperial
power. Slide 3 The Great Wall of China The Great Wall Of China is a
series of stone and earthen fortifications in China, built,
rebuilt, and maintained between the 5th century BC and the 16th
century to protect the northern borders of the Chinese Empire from
Xiongnu attacks during the rule of successive dynasties. The Great
Wall Of China is a series of stone and earthen fortifications in
China, built, rebuilt, and maintained between the 5th century BC
and the 16th century to protect the northern borders of the Chinese
Empire from Xiongnu attacks during the rule of successive
dynasties. It stretches over approximately 6,400 km (4,000 miles)
from Shanhaiguan in the east to Lop Nur in the west, along an arc
that roughly delineates the southern edge of Inner Mongolia, but
stretches to over 6,700 km (4,160 miles) in total. It stretches
over approximately 6,400 km (4,000 miles) from Shanhaiguan in the
east to Lop Nur in the west, along an arc that roughly delineates
the southern edge of Inner Mongolia, but stretches to over 6,700 km
(4,160 miles) in total. It was guarded by more than one million
men. It was guarded by more than one million men. Notable Areas:
"North Pass", "West Pass", "Pass". Notable Areas: "North Pass",
"West Pass", "Pass". Slide 4 Beijing Kaoya- Beijing Duck Peking
Duck: a delicious, lightly-smoked, rich meal complimented by
pancakes, dipping sauce, vegetable filling and irresistible slivers
of juicy meat, fat and crispy skin. Peking Duck: a delicious,
lightly-smoked, rich meal complimented by pancakes, dipping sauce,
vegetable filling and irresistible slivers of juicy meat, fat and
crispy skin. Peking Duck is said to originate from Inner Mongolia
and was first served in a Peking restaurant in 1855. Peking Duck is
said to originate from Inner Mongolia and was first served in a
Peking restaurant in 1855. The original recipe for Peking Duck
includes a description of how to build and fire the oven for
smoking the bird! The original recipe for Peking Duck includes a
description of how to build and fire the oven for smoking the bird!
Slide 5 Tiananmen Square The heart of modern China beats in
Tiananmen Square, the symbol of the People's Republic and the
center of Beijing's landmarks. The heart of modern China beats in
Tiananmen Square, the symbol of the People's Republic and the
center of Beijing's landmarks. The flagstones of Tiananmen cover a
staggering 440,000 square meters, enough space to allow a million
people to gather there. The flagstones of Tiananmen cover a
staggering 440,000 square meters, enough space to allow a million
people to gather there. The Tiananmen Gate Tower sites at the
north, the Five-Star Red Flag flies high on the square, the
Monument to the People's Heroes dominates the center, the Great
Hall of the People and the Museum of the Chinese Revolution and the
Museum of Chinese History to the east and west of it, as well as
The Chairman Mao Memorial Hall and the Qianmen gate, sit in the
south of the square. The Tiananmen Gate Tower sites at the north,
the Five-Star Red Flag flies high on the square, the Monument to
the People's Heroes dominates the center, the Great Hall of the
People and the Museum of the Chinese Revolution and the Museum of
Chinese History to the east and west of it, as well as The Chairman
Mao Memorial Hall and the Qianmen gate, sit in the south of the
square. Over several hundred years, in front of the Tiananmen, many
democracy meetings and demonstrations are held. Over several
hundred years, in front of the Tiananmen, many democracy meetings
and demonstrations are held. Five Star Red Flag-the Chinese
national flag, flies high in the sky above the Square. Five Star
Red Flag-the Chinese national flag, flies high in the sky above the
Square. Slide 6 Summer Palace It is one of the best parks in the
city. It is one of the best parks in the city. Originally it was a
retreat for emperors to escape the scorching summer heat of
Beijing. Originally it was a retreat for emperors to escape the
scorching summer heat of Beijing. The Summer Palace is huge, most
of it being taken up by Kunming Lake. The Summer Palace is huge,
most of it being taken up by Kunming Lake. The dirt that was dug up
to make the lake was piled up and made into Longevity Hill. The
dirt that was dug up to make the lake was piled up and made into
Longevity Hill. On top of Longevity Hill are several Buddhist
temples, which, on clear days, offer good views of the lake. On top
of Longevity Hill are several Buddhist temples, which, on clear
days, offer good views of the lake. Small boats are available for
rent and you can motor or paddle about the lake. Small boats are
available for rent and you can motor or paddle about the lake.
Another part of the park, called Suzhou street, which is supposed
to be a model of what the city of Suzhou looked like in the Qing
Dynasty. Another part of the park, called Suzhou street, which is
supposed to be a model of what the city of Suzhou looked like in
the Qing Dynasty. The streetencircles a short canal, which you can
go up and down in a gondola-like boat. The streetencircles a short
canal, which you can go up and down in a gondola-like boat. Slide 7
Temple Of Heaven Built between 1409 and 1420, the Temple of Heaven
is one of Beijing"s most impressive parks in terms of Heaven is one
of Beijing"s most impressive parks in terms of architecture, color
and significance. Built between 1409 and 1420, the Temple of Heaven
is one of Beijing"s most impressive parks in terms of Heaven is one
of Beijing"s most impressive parks in terms of architecture, color
and significance. The Temple is basically a huge communications
terminal which the Emperor used to communicate directly with
Heaven. The Temple is basically a huge communications terminal
which the Emperor used to communicate directly with Heaven. Several
times a year, the Emperor would come here to pray for good
harvests, enough rain and other heavenly boons. Several times a
year, the Emperor would come here to pray for good harvests, enough
rain and other heavenly boons. The construction of the Temple is
based around the number nine, the largest of the single digits,
which is divine in Chinese numerology. The construction of the
Temple is based around the number nine, the largest of the single
digits, which is divine in Chinese numerology. The Temple consists
of four basic parts: the Round Altar, the Echo Wall, the Imperial
Vault of Heaven, and the Hall of prayer for Good Harvests. The
Temple consists of four basic parts: the Round Altar, the Echo
Wall, the Imperial Vault of Heaven, and the Hall of prayer for Good
Harvests. The Round Altar is where the Emperor would report on the
status of the country to Heaven. The Round Altar is where the
Emperor would report on the status of the country to Heaven. The
Altar is constructed in the middle, anything you say is amplified
several times. The Altar is constructed in the middle, anything you
say is amplified several times. Slide 8 This is because when the
Emperor was talking with Heaven, his voice was supposed to be
amplified so that it was as if his voice was as loud as the
collective voice of a whole nation. This is because when the
Emperor was talking with Heaven, his voice was supposed to be
amplified so that it was as if his voice was as loud as the
collective voice of a whole nation. The Echo Wall is a round
structure which if you whisper along the inner wall, your voice can
be heard all the way around the other side. The Echo Wall is a
round structure which if you whisper along the inner wall, your
voice can be heard all the way around the other side. However,
there is always a crowd of people whispering(and shouting) so it is
very hard to get the desired effect. However, there is always a
crowd of people whispering(and shouting) so it is very hard to get
the desired effect. Supposedly the Emperor would use this method to
secretly confer with Inner Court members. Supposedly the Emperor
would use this method to secretly confer with Inner Court members.
The Imperial Vault of Heaven and the Hall of Prayer for Good
Harvests are both structures which were places of worship for the
Emperor. The Imperial Vault of Heaven and the Hall of Prayer for
Good Harvests are both structures which were places of worship for
the Emperor. The Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests is remarkable
because it is a 38-meter-tall building which does not have a single
nail holding it together. The Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests is
remarkable because it is a 38-meter-tall building which does not
have a single nail holding it together. The original was burnt down
in 1889 but has been faithfully reconstructed. The original was
burnt down in 1889 but has been faithfully reconstructed. The hall
has 28 wooden pillars supporting a 39-meter tower of three conical
roofs, covered with blue glazed tiles, to reflect the color of the
sky. The hall has 28 wooden pillars supporting a 39-meter tower of
three conical roofs, covered with blue glazed tiles, to reflect the
color of the sky. The wooden walls are richly decorated, inside and
out. The wooden walls are richly decorated, inside and out. To the
west of the complex is the Hall of Abstinence, where the emperors
would prepare themselves for the solemn occasion by spending a
night fasting (and without concubines!). To the west of the complex
is the Hall of Abstinence, where the emperors would prepare
themselves for the solemn occasion by spending a night fasting (and
without concubines!). If you go to the Temple of Heaven in the
early morning, you can see groups of people practicing all types of
kung fu and taiji. If you go to the Temple of Heaven in the early
morning, you can see groups of people practicing all types of kung
fu and taiji. You can also practice with them if you are so
inclined. This is another good activity for the jetlagged. You can
also practice with them if you are so inclined. This is another
good activity for the jetlagged. Slide 9 Ming Tombs Otherwise known
as the 13 Tombs, this is the burial site of 13 out of 17 emperors
of the Ming Dynasty. Otherwise known as the 13 Tombs, this is the
burial site of 13 out of 17 emperors of the Ming Dynasty. However,
the only one you can get a good look at is the tomb of Emperor
Wanli, who reigned from 1537 to 1620. However, the only one you can
get a good look at is the tomb of Emperor Wanli, who reigned from
1537 to 1620. This tomb was unearthed in 1956. This tomb was
unearthed in 1956. There are two others that have been uncovered,
but the rest remain illusive. There are two others that have been
uncovered, but the rest remain illusive. The best part of the Ming
Tombs is the road there. The best part of the Ming Tombs is the
road there. The spirit Way is the path leading to the mouth of the
tomb. The spirit Way is the path leading to the mouth of the tomb.
Along the path are bizarre, mythical stone monsters standing guard.
Along the path are bizarre, mythical stone monsters standing guard.
To get to the tomb itself, you have to walk down many flights of
stairs till you are deep inside the mountain. To get to the tomb
itself, you have to walk down many flights of stairs till you are
deep inside the mountain. But the actual tomb chambers are a little
disappointing. But the actual tomb chambers are a little
disappointing. It's just a couple of stone rooms, excavated
treasures. It's just a couple of stone rooms, excavated treasures.
Slide 10 Hutong Hutong According to linguistic experts, "hutong"
originally meant "well" in the Mongolian, Uygur and Manchu
languages. According to linguistic experts, "hutong" originally
meant "well" in the Mongolian, Uygur and Manchu languages. A hutong
is an ancient city alley or lane typical in Beijing, where hutongs
run into the several thousand. A hutong is an ancient city alley or
lane typical in Beijing, where hutongs run into the several
thousand. The main buildings in the hutong were almost all
quadrangles--a building complex formed by four houses around a
quadrangular courtyard. The main buildings in the hutong were
almost all quadrangles--a building complex formed by four houses
around a quadrangular courtyard. The quadrangles varied in size and
design according to the social status of the residents. The
quadrangles varied in size and design according to the social
status of the residents. The ordinary people's quadrangles were
simply built with small gates and low houses. The ordinary people's
quadrangles were simply built with small gates and low houses.
Hutongs, in fact, are passageways formed by many closely arranged
quadrangles of different sizes. Hutongs, in fact, are passageways
formed by many closely arranged quadrangles of different sizes.
Slide 11 Lama Temple = The Yonghe Temple = Palace of Peace and
Harmony Is a temple and monastery of the Geluk School of Tibetan
Buddhism located in the northeastern part of Beijing. Is a temple
and monastery of the Geluk School of Tibetan Buddhism located in
the northeastern part of Beijing. The building and the artworks of
the temple combine Han Chinese and Tibetan styles. The building and
the artworks of the temple combine Han Chinese and Tibetan styles.
Building work on the Yonghe Temple started in 1694 during the Qing
Dynasty. Building work on the Yonghe Temple started in 1694 during
the Qing Dynasty. The Yonghe Temple is arranged along a north-south
central axis, which has a length of 480m. The Yonghe Temple is
arranged along a north-south central axis, which has a length of
480m. Along the axis, there are five main halls which are separated
by courtyards: the Hall of the Heavenly Kings (Tian Wang Dian or
Devaraja Hall), the Hall of Harmony and Peace (Yonghegong), the
Hall of Everlasting Protection (Yongyoudian), the Hall of the Wheel
of the Law (Falundian), and the Pavilion of Ten Thousand
Happinesses (Wanfuge). Along the axis, there are five main halls
which are separated by courtyards: the Hall of the Heavenly Kings
(Tian Wang Dian or Devaraja Hall), the Hall of Harmony and Peace
(Yonghegong), the Hall of Everlasting Protection (Yongyoudian), the
Hall of the Wheel of the Law (Falundian), and the Pavilion of Ten
Thousand Happinesses (Wanfuge). The Hall of the Heavenly Kings is
the southernmost of the main halls, it served originally as the
main entrance to the monastery. The Hall of the Heavenly Kings is
the southernmost of the main halls, it served originally as the
main entrance to the monastery. In the center of the hall stands a
statue of the Maitreya Buddha, along the walls statues of the four
Heavenly kings are arranged In the center of the hall stands a
statue of the Maitreya Buddha, along the walls statues of the four
Heavenly kings are arranged Slide 12 Beihai Park Beihai Park is an
extremely popular attraction among Beijingers and tourists. Beihai
Park is an extremely popular attraction among Beijingers and
tourists. It is very large, about 68.2 hectares, and almost
two-thirds of the park is a lake. It is very large, about 68.2
hectares, and almost two-thirds of the park is a lake. The park
sits in the Beijings center, used to be the royal garden of the
Jin, Yuan, Ming and Qing Emperors. The park sits in the Beijings
center, used to be the royal garden of the Jin, Yuan, Ming and Qing
Emperors. Besides the lake, the main things to see in Beihai are
the Round City, which contains a jade vase from the time of Kublai
Khan; the Temple of Eternal Peace, the Nine Dragon Screen, which is
really a 5-meter- high, 27-meter-long wall covered with glazed
tiles carved into nine intertwining dragons;and the White Pagoda on
Gem Island in the center of the lake. Besides the lake, the main
things to see in Beihai are the Round City, which contains a jade
vase from the time of Kublai Khan; the Temple of Eternal Peace, the
Nine Dragon Screen, which is really a 5-meter- high, 27-meter-long
wall covered with glazed tiles carved into nine intertwining
dragons;and the White Pagoda on Gem Island in the center of the
lake. You can paddle around in a bizarre assortment of boats. You
can paddle around in a bizarre assortment of boats. Within Beihai
is also the famous Fangshan Restaurant, the best known of the
Imperial Court style restaurants where you can eat Qing Dynasty
type food, for a pretty penny. Within Beihai is also the famous
Fangshan Restaurant, the best known of the Imperial Court style
restaurants where you can eat Qing Dynasty type food, for a pretty
penny. Slide 13 Capital Museum The former Capital Museum, which was
located in the Confucius Temple, started its planning stage in 1953
and formally opened to the general public in 1981. The former
Capital Museum, which was located in the Confucius Temple, started
its planning stage in 1953 and formally opened to the general
public in 1981. The museum is a five-storey mansion, catering for a
maximum of 13 concurrent exhibitions, which can be seen in about 5
hours at the cost of 30 Yuan per visitor. The museum is a
five-storey mansion, catering for a maximum of 13 concurrent
exhibitions, which can be seen in about 5 hours at the cost of 30
Yuan per visitor. The architectural design concept of the Capital
Museum is based on human and cultural heritage to serve the
community and underlines the harmonious integration of past and
present, history and modernism, art and nature. The architectural
design concept of the Capital Museum is based on human and cultural
heritage to serve the community and underlines the harmonious
integration of past and present, history and modernism, art and
nature. The construction of the Capital Museum itself is a piece of
architectural artwork integrating both classical and modern beauty.
The construction of the Capital Museum itself is a piece of
architectural artwork integrating both classical and modern
beauty.
