Beijing is one of the world’s historical and cultural cities and ancient capitals. As early as 700,000 years ago, primitive human tribes appeared in Beijing’s Zhoukoudian. Beijing as a city also has a history of over 2000 years. The earliest recorded name for the city was “Ji”. In 1045 BC, Beijing became the capital city for the vassal states like Ji and Yan. Since Emperor Qin Shihuang’s unification of China in 221 BC, Beijing has been an important city and local center in North China. Ever since 888, Beijing has been successively the alternative capital of Liao, the capital of Jin, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties. On October 1st, 1949 Beijing was formally proclaimed as the capital of the People’s Republic of China.

Beijing was the capital of five dynasties in history. In more than 800 years from Jin Dynasty, many grand and gorgeous palace architectures have been built in the city. And Beijing is a city that has the greatest cultural accumulation and the most royal palaces, gardens, temples, altars, and mausoleums in China. Among them the Imperial Palace, also called the Forbidden City, was once the imperial palace for Ming and Qing dynasties, in which a total of 24 emperors had lived. The magnificence and grandeur of the architecture perfectly embodies the classical style and oriental flavor of China. As the largest existing palace in China and in the world, it is the precious cultural heritage of the Chinese nation. In 1961 it was listed as the key cultural relic site under state protection. Temple of Heaven is known at home and abroad for its perfect layout and ingenious construction. As a place for emperors in Ming and Qing dynasties to “offer sacrifice to heaven” and “pray for good harvest”, it is the largest existing ancient sacrificial architecture complex in China, as well as the precious legacy in the world’s art of architecture. The Summer Palace is the most famous garden in China, which is dotted with green hills, clear water, towering pavilions, and meandering corridors. The magnificence and grandeur of the garden is well known throughout the world. It has the longest veranda in China—Long Veranda, which, connecting the distant hills and near water, is of very high artistic value. The Thirteen Ming Tombs, buried with 13 Ming emperors, is the largest cluster of ancient tombs in Beijing. The excavated Dingling Mausoleum, in particular, is massive and spectacular. In addition, Houhai, Beihai Park, Hutong alleys are also very famous tourist attractions.  

In 2008 Beijing will host the 29th Summer Olympic Games.  

Beijing Hotels.