Beijing – The major tourist attraction in China.
eijing is known as Peking in Chinese. The cities closest to Beijing China are Tianjin, Tangshan and Shijiazhuang. It is a modern, progressive city steeped in culture and tradition. Mandarin is the Chinese language of choice in Beijing. This city will host the 2008 Summer Olympics. Flights To Beijing
Upon arrival at Beijing, China, one will immediately appreciate the beauty and tradition of China. Beijing airport has currently two (2) terminals. Terminal 1 is almost exclusively used for China Southern Airlines’ and Xiamen Airlines domestic routes and some international flights to Beijing China and from Beijing. Terminal 2 is utilized by all other domestic and international flights Beijing accommodates. Another Terminal 3 is still under construction, might be ready by 2007.
Maps of Beijing are available at the airport customer service counters. Also available, are tourist attraction guides or maps which may come in useful going around Beijing. A Beijing map in English or Chinese is available in the tourism office at the airport.
Accommodations in Beijing
There are over 5,000 hotels, hostels, guest houses or apartments in Beijing. Hotels in Beijing, near Tian’an Men Square and Jiang Gou Men are good choices for tourists on holiday or vacation, Hotels near Zhongguancun and Yansha would suit the business travelers well. Hotels in Beijing are noted for their courtesy and accommodation. Guest houses and other accommodations are all over Beijing.
What to See and Where to Go
The most famous tourist attraction in China is the Great Wall. In Beijing, one can see the Great Wall at Badaling. Built primarily to protect the people of China from Invaders, the Great Wall of China has served China well. A map of Beijing is a good investment especially if one is not traveling with a tour group.
The Forbidden City of China was once home to the emperors during the Ming and Qing Dynasties. This palace complex is surrounded by a moat and has a perimeter wall as high as ten meters. It has more than 8,700 rooms and it is the largest and most complete palace in China. UNESCO listed it as a World Cultural Heritage in 1987.
The Temple of Heaven is a very unique architectural treasure. This temple was built for praying for good harvest during the Ming Dynasty and expanded through the years. The temple includes the Hall of Prayer, the Hall of the Heavenly Emperor, the Circular Mound, the Imperial Vault of Heaven, Abstinence Hall, the Beamless Hall, the Long Corridor, Longevity Pavilion, the Three Echo Stones and the Seven Meteoric Stones.
Beijing Olympics
The Summer Olympics of 2008 will be hosted by Beijing, China. A lot of preparations are being made to make the Beijing Olympics safe and memorable. The Beijing Olympics Committee has ordered construction of new buildings and venues to house the athletes and the guests who are expected to come during the Beijing Olympics.
Beijing will be an exciting venue for tourist and athletes alike this coming 2008. Not only is the city full of culture and tradition but it is also a site of progress and modernization.