Beijing

Beijing, previously called Peking, is the capital city of China and one of the most important cities in the world. With more than 22 million people, it is the world's most populous national capital city. It is a global city leading in many areas such as culture, politics, finance, education, research, tourism, and technology.

Beijing is very old, with a history over three thousand years long. It is famous for its beautiful palaces, temples, and the Great Wall. Some of these places, like the Forbidden City and the Temple of Heaven, are UNESCO World Heritage Sites and attract many visitors each year.

The city is also a major center for education and science. It has top universities such as Tsinghua University and Peking University. Beijing is a busy place with many international businesses, embassies, and important organizations. The city has modern skyscrapers as well as traditional neighborhoods called hutongs, showing both old and new sides of China.

Etymology

Main article: Names of Beijing

The city of Beijing has had many names over the past 3,000 years. The name "Beijing" means "Northern Capital," coming from the Chinese words for "north" (北) and "capital" (京). This name was given to the city in 1403 during the Ming dynasty to distinguish it from Nanjing, which means "Southern Capital." The English spelling "Beijing" comes from the government's official way of writing the name in the 1980s. Before that, it was commonly called "Peking," a name still seen in places like Peking University and Beijing Capital International Airport.

The single Chinese character for Beijing used on license plates is 京, and its official Latin alphabet abbreviation is "BJ."

History

Main article: History of Beijing

The history of Beijing goes back a very long time. Early humans lived in the area around Beijing, as shown by fossils found near the village of Zhoukoudian. These fossils are from a type of early human called Peking Man and date back over 200,000 years.

Beijing has been an important city for many different empires and dynasties over the centuries. It became the capital of China several times. During the Ming Dynasty, huge buildings like the Forbidden City and Temple of Heaven were built. Later, during the Qing Dynasty, beautiful gardens such as the Summer Palace were added.

In more recent times, Beijing played key roles in modern Chinese history. It was the capital when the People’s Republic of China was founded in 1949. The city has grown a lot since then, becoming a major center for business, culture, and international events like the 2008 Summer Olympics and the 2022 Winter Olympics.

Cityscape

Beijing has many different types of buildings that show its rich history and modern growth. You can see very old buildings like the Forbidden City and Tian'anmen, which are examples of traditional Chinese architecture. There are also older, box-shaped buildings from the 1950s and 1970s, and brand-new modern buildings, especially in areas like the Beijing CBD.

Some of Beijing's most famous modern buildings include the CCTV Headquarters, the Beijing National Stadium, and the National Center for the Performing Arts. Traditional homes in Beijing, known as siheyuans, are courtyards surrounded by buildings, often linked by narrow streets called hutongs. Though many of these old neighborhoods are changing, they still give a glimpse into Beijing's past.

See also: List of tallest buildings in Beijing and Chinese architecture

Geography

Main article: Geography of Beijing

Beijing is found at the northern edge of the North China Plain, which opens to the south and east of the city. Mountains to the north, northwest, and west protect the city and northern China's agricultural areas from desert steppes. The northwestern part of Beijing, especially Yanqing District and Huairou District, is dominated by the Jundu Mountains, while the western part is framed by the Western Hills. The Great Wall of China across the northern part of Beijing was built on rugged terrain to defend against nomadic groups from the steppes. Mount Dongling, in the Western Hills, is the highest point in Beijing, with an altitude of 2,303 metres.

Major rivers flowing through Beijing, including the Chaobai, Yongding, and Juma, are all tributaries of the Hai River system. The Miyun Reservoir, on the upper reaches of the Chaobai River, is the largest reservoir in Beijing. The urban area of Beijing lies on plains in the south-central part of the municipality, with elevations between 40 and 60 metres. The city spreads out in concentric ring roads. Tian'anmen and Tian'anmen Square are at the center of Beijing, directly south of the Forbidden City, the former home of China's emperors. To the west of Tian'anmen is Zhongnanhai, the residence of China's current leaders. Chang'an Avenue, running between Tiananmen and the Square, forms the city's main east–west axis.

Government

Main article: Politics of Beijing

Beijing's government is led by the Municipal Committee of the Chinese Communist Party, with the Beijing CCP Secretary at the top. This leader also belongs to an important group called the Politburo. The government includes a mayor and many offices that handle laws, safety, and other city matters. As China's capital, Beijing is home to major national government offices, such as the National People's Congress.

Beijing is divided into 16 urban districts. These districts are further split into smaller areas, including towns and subdistricts. Some well-known towns outside the main city area are Changping, Huairou, Miyun, and Tongzhou. The city's judicial system includes several courts and procuratorates to handle legal matters.

Economy

Main article: Economy of Beijing

As of 2025, Beijing's economy was very strong. Its total wealth was about $748 billion, which is a big part of China's overall economy. Beijing also had the highest income per person in China.

Beijing is an important city for big businesses and money. It has many headquarters of large companies and is known for having many very wealthy people. The city is also a major center for finance and business, ranking high in competitions around the world.

The city's economy is mostly based on services like professional work, shopping, technology, and real estate. Industry, such as making things, still plays a role but is smaller than before. Around Beijing, there are special areas focused on technology, finance, business, and other industries, helping the city grow.

Demographics

Main article: Demographics of Beijing

Beijing is a very large city with over 21 million people living within its official city limits. It is the most crowded capital city in the world and the second-largest city in China after Shanghai. Most people in Beijing are Han Chinese, but there are also many people from other ethnic groups living there.

Many people move to Beijing each year for jobs and opportunities, which makes the city's population grow quickly. The city has strict rules now to control how many people can live there, to help with traffic, pollution, and making sure there are enough schools and hospitals. Some people are being moved to nearby areas to help spread out the population.

Education and research

Main articles: Education in Beijing, Education in China, and Higher education in China

See also: Rankings of universities in China, List of universities in China, and Double First Class University Plan

Beijing is a leading center for science and technology. It has been ranked the top city in the world for scientific research since 2016, based on the Nature Index. Beijing’s universities and research institutions produce a large amount of important work in fields like chemistry, physical sciences, and health science.

The city has over 90 public colleges and universities, including some of the best in Asia. Famous schools such as Peking University and Tsinghua University are found here. Beijing is also home to many important research organizations, such as the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

Culture

People native to urban Beijing speak the Beijing dialect, which is a type of Mandarin Chinese. This dialect helped form the standard spoken language used in mainland China and Taiwan. Rural areas of Beijing have their own dialects similar to those in nearby Hebei province.

Younger residents of Beijing enjoy a lively nightlife that has grown in recent decades. Popular spots include Houhai, Sanlitun, and Wudaokou.

Art

Beijing opera is a traditional Chinese theater known across the country. It combines singing, speaking, and movements like dancing and acrobatics. The city is also famous for crafts like cloisonné, a detailed metalwork art, and lacquerware, which features intricate carved designs.

In 2012, Beijing was named a City of Design by UNESCO.

Cuisine

Beijing cuisine reflects centuries of cooking for emperors and influences from surrounding regions. It mixes northern Chinese foods with refined techniques. Well-known dishes include Peking duck, a crispy duck dish, and Fuling jiabing, a flat pancake filled with a special fungus. Teahouses are common, and another popular dish is instant-boiled mutton, served in a hot pot.

Places of interest

Beijing is rich in history and landmarks. The Forbidden City houses the Palace Museum, filled with imperial art collections. Nearby are beautiful parks and gardens such as Beihai and Jingshan. Important sites from Tiananmen Square include the Great Hall of the People and the National Museum of China.

The Temple of Heaven is where emperors prayed for good harvests. Other notable temples include the Temple of Earth, Temple of the Sun, and Temple of the Moon. Beijing also has many pagodas, bridges, and parks like the Beijing Zoo, home to giant pandas.

The city has many museums, including the Palace Museum, National Museum of China, and the Military Museum of the Chinese People’s Revolution. Outside the city are the Thirteen Tombs of the Ming dynasty and parts of the Great Wall of China. Theme parks like Universal Studios Beijing and Happy Valley Beijing are popular attractions.

Intangible cultural heritage

Beijing’s cultural traditions include various forms of music, dance, opera, art, and crafts. These traditions are preserved and celebrated by the city’s government and people.

Religion

Beijing has a long history of many religions, including folk religion, Taoism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Islam, and Christianity. The city is home to many temples, mosques, and churches. These places are important for the religious life of Beijing’s people.

Media

Beijing has many television and radio stations. Beijing Television and China Central Television are major networks. Several radio stations broadcast in English. The city also has many newspapers, including the Beijing Evening News, Beijing Daily, and The Beijing News, along with English-language publications like Beijing Weekend and Beijing Today.

Beijing has a vibrant music scene, including a variety of rock bands and artists.

Sports

See also: Football in Beijing

Beijing has been a host city for many important sports events. The most famous were the 2008 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games and the 2022 Winter Olympics and the Paralympics. The city has also hosted other big games like the 2001 Summer Universiade and the 1990 Asian Games, as well as many single-sport competitions such as the Beijing Marathon and the China Open of Tennis.

Beijing is home to several major sports venues, including the MasterCard Center and the Olympic Green. It also has many professional sports teams in different leagues.

Transportation

Main article: Transport in Beijing

Beijing is a major transportation hub in North China with many roads, railways, and airports connecting it to other parts of China and the world. The city has six ring roads and many expressways, making it easy to travel by car or bus.

Beijing has many railway stations and several high-speed rail lines that connect the city to places like Shanghai (Jinghu Line), Guangzhou (Jingguang Line), and Harbin (Jingha Line). The city also has two large airports: Beijing Capital International Airport and Beijing Daxing International Airport. These airports serve millions of passengers each year and connect Beijing to many international destinations.

The city also has an extensive public transportation system, including a subway with many lines and stations, bus services, and taxi services. Bicycles are still commonly used for short trips, and there are many bike lanes throughout the city.

Defence and aerospace

Beijing is an important center for China's military and space efforts. The city houses key military leadership groups and institutions, including the Central Military Commission and several military academies.

Beijing is also home to the China National Space Administration, which manages the country's space program, along with centers that track both crewed and uncrewed space missions.

Ecology

Beijing has many different kinds of plants and animals. In the west and north, you can find forests, while plains, wetlands, and river valleys are found in other parts of the city. Many birds live in Beijing, including some that travel from faraway places. The city also has special animals like the Chinese giant salamander and Père David’s deer, which no longer live in the wild but are protected in special parks.

Beijing has many nature reserves with wildlife such as wolves, foxes, and deer. The city works hard to protect its plants and animals, and many different species of birds visit every year. The city’s official flowers are the Chinese rose and chrysanthemum, and its trees are the Chinese arborvitae and the pagoda tree.

International relations

Beijing is an important city for international diplomacy. It is home to the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, which aims to improve economic and social outcomes in Asia, and the Silk Road Fund, an investment fund of the Chinese government. Beijing also hosts the headquarters of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO).

Twin towns and sister cities

Beijing is twinned with many cities around the world, including:

• Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
• Ankara, Turkey
• Astana, Kazakhstan
• Athens, Greece
• Bangkok, Thailand
• Berlin, Germany
• Brussels, Belgium
• Bucharest, Romania
• Budapest, Hungary
• Buenos Aires, Argentina
• Cairo, Egypt
• Canberra, Australia
• Cologne, Germany
• Copenhagen, Denmark
• Delhi, India
• Doha, Qatar
• Dublin, Ireland
• Hanoi, Vietnam
• Havana, Cuba
• Helsinki, Finland
• Île-de-France, France
• Islamabad, Pakistan
• Jakarta, Indonesia
• Johannesburg, South Africa
• Kyiv, Ukraine
• Lima, Peru
• London, England, United Kingdom
• Manila, Philippines
• Minsk, Belarus
• Mexico City, Mexico
• Moscow, Russia
• New York City, United States
• Ottawa, Canada
• Phnom Penh, Cambodia
• Riga, Latvia
• Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
• San José, Costa Rica
• Santiago, Chile
• Seoul, South Korea
• Tallinn, Estonia
• Tehran, Iran
• Tel Aviv, Israel
• Tirana, Albania
• Tokyo, Japan
• Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
• Vientiane, Laos
• Washington D.C., United States
• Wellington, New Zealand

Foreign embassies and consulates

Beijing hosts many foreign embassies. As of 2020, there were 173 embassies, one consulate, and three representatives in the city, excluding the trade offices of Hong Kong and Macau.

Representative offices and delegations

Beijing also has representative offices and delegations from:

• Haiti (Representative Office)
• Faroe Islands (Representative Office)
• European Union (Delegation of the European Union to China)