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Beijing

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Beijing is the capital city of China.

Parkview Green and CBD skyline (20210927131419)
Parkview Green and CBD skyline (20210927131419)

It is a global city with immense influence. This city serves as a major center for culture, diplomacy, and politics. It also leads in finance, science, and technology. With over 22 million residents, it is the most populous national capital on Earth.

Central Axis of Beijing from Yongdingmenwai (20240812145818)
Central Axis of Beijing from Yongdingmenwai (20240812145818)

The city is located in Northern China. It is mostly surrounded by Hebei Province. To the southeast, it neighbors the city of Tianjin. Together, these three areas form the Jing-Jin-Ji cluster.

Beijing is a massive hub for transportation and business. The city manages a vast network of highways and high-speed rail.

Wangjing SOHO6
Wangjing SOHO6

For a decade before the COVID-19 pandemic, Beijing Capital International Airport was Asia's busiest airport. It was also the second-busiest airport in the world from 2010 to 2019. The city also features Beijing Daxing International Airport. This second international airport contains the largest single-structure terminal in the world. The Beijing subway is also a major system. It was the second-longest and fourth-busiest subway in the world in 2020.

Economic power is concentrated in specific districts. The Beijing Central Business District, or CBD, is a center for economic expansion. This area is filled with many modern skyscrapers.

The city is home to the headquarters of most large state-owned companies. It also houses the largest number of Fortune Global 500 companies globally. Furthermore, Beijing contains the world's four largest financial institutions by total assets. Innovation thrives in the Zhongguancun area. This district is a world leader in scientific and technological entrepreneurship.

Since 2016, the Nature Index has ranked Beijing as having the largest scientific research output.

The history of Beijing spans over three millennia.

Beijings layout genom historien
Beijings layout genom historien

The earliest traces of humans were found in the caves of Dragon Bone Hill. Fossils of Homo erectus date back 230,000 to 250,000 years. The first walled city, Jicheng, was built in 1045 BC.

Over many centuries, the city changed names and rulers. The Liao dynasty called it Nanjing, or the Southern Capital. Later, the Jin dynasty made it their Central Capital, known as Zhongdu. In the 13th century, Kublai Khan built a new capital called Dadu. This city was centered near the Drum Tower. The Ming dynasty later renamed the city Beiping, which means Northern Peace.

In 1403, the name Beijing was officially applied. This name means "Northern Capital." It was used to distinguish it from Nanjing, the Southern Capital.

Verbotene-Stadt1500
Verbotene-Stadt1500

The Ming dynasty emperor Zhu Di established Beijing as the primary capital. Between 1406 and 1420, builders constructed the Forbidden City. This massive imperial residence remains a symbol of the city. Beijing has been the political center of China for most of the last eight centuries. It was even the largest city in the world for much of the second millennium AD. Mountains surround the city on three sides, which helped protect the imperial residence.

Beijing is famous for its unique architecture and culture.

VIEW OF THE CENTRAL STREET IN THE CHINESE QUARTER OF PEKING
VIEW OF THE CENTRAL STREET IN THE CHINESE QUARTER OF PEKING

You can see traditional Chinese styles alongside modern designs. One half of the city is modernized and renovated. The other half contains traditional hutong districts. Hutongs are narrow alleys located between siheyuans, which are traditional houses.

Corner Tower of the Forbidden City, Beijing
Corner Tower of the Forbidden City, Beijing

The city has eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites. These include the Forbidden City, the Temple of Heaven, and the Summer Palace.

Summer Palace in Beijing2022 Spring
Summer Palace in Beijing2022 Spring

Other sites include the Ming Tombs and the Great Wall. In 2018, Beijing was the second highest earning tourist city in the world.

The city is also a leader in global sports and education.

2008 Summer Olympics opening ceremony - Fireworks
2008 Summer Olympics opening ceremony - Fireworks

Beijing hosted the 2008 Summer Olympics and Paralympics. In 2022, it became the first city to host both Summer and Winter Olympics.

National Centre for the Performing Arts
National Centre for the Performing Arts

Education is a major strength of the city. Beijing's public universities make up more than one-fifth of China's Double First-Class Construction universities. Famous institutions include Peking University and Tsinghua University. The city also hosts many international organizations. These include the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank and the Chinese Academy of Sciences. Beijing remains a vital link between China's ancient past and its high-tech future.

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🖼️ Images & Media (61)
File:潭拓寺大雄宝殿.jpg
潭拓寺大雄宝殿.jpg
File:Pagoda of Tianning Temple from Tianning No. 1 (20230904171639).jpg
Pagoda of Tianning Temple from Tianning...
File:Beijings layout genom historien.jpg
Beijings layout genom historien.jpg
File:Verbotene-Stadt1500.jpg
Verbotene-Stadt1500.jpg
File:Jingshan old2.jpg
Jingshan old2.jpg
File:VIEW OF THE CENTRAL STREET IN THE CHINESE QUARTER OF PEKING.jpg
VIEW OF THE CENTRAL STREET IN THE CHINESE...
File:Xieqiqu ruins, Ernst Ohlmer, 1870s.jpg
Xieqiqu ruins, Ernst Ohlmer, 1870s.jpg
File:Peking. Chien men - Circa 1905 (ChinaZeug.de).jpg
Peking. Chien men - Circa 1905 (ChinaZeug.de).jpg
File:Chiang KaiShek Portrait Tiananmen Beijing.jpg
Chiang KaiShek Portrait Tiananmen Beijing.jpg
File:PEKING WALL AND MOAT.jpg
PEKING WALL AND MOAT.jpg
File:2008 Summer Olympics opening ceremony - Fireworks.jpg
2008 Summer Olympics opening ceremony -...
File:Central Axis of Beijing from Yongdingmenwai (20240812145818).jpg
Central Axis of Beijing from...

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