Beijing

Demographics

neighbourhood, in Chaoyang District, Beijing, is known for its high concentration of South Korean expatriates.]] The population of Beijing Municipality, defined as the total number of people who reside in Beijing for 6 months or more per year, was 14.927 million in 2004. 11.872 million people were urban, which includes residents in the Beijing urban area and surrounding towns, and the remainder were rural. http://www.bjstats.gov.cn/lhzl/cbtj-2004/200501040141.htm11.629 million people in Beijing had Beijing ''hukou'' (permanent residence) and the remainder were on temporary residence permits. http://www.bjstats.gov.cn/tjyl/tjgb/200501210039.htmIn addition, there is a large but unknown number of migrant workers (''min gong'') who live illegally in Beijing without any official residence permit (also termed ''hei ren'' or unregistered people). The population of Beijing's urban core (city proper) is around 7.5 million. Over 95% of Beijing's residents belong to the Han Chinese majority. Smaller populations consisting of members of the Manchu, Hui people|Hui, and Mongol Ethnic groups of China|ethnic groups also call the city home. In recent years there has been an influx of South Korean expatriates, who live in Beijing predominantly for business and study, and are concentrated in the Wangjing and Wudaokou areas. A Tibetan high school exists for youth of Tibetan ancestry, nearly all of whom have come to Beijing from Tibet expressly for their studies. A sizable international or expatriate community exists in Beijing, mostly attracted by the highly growing foreign business and trade sector, and many members live in the Beijing urban area's densely populated northern, northeastern and eastern sections. The southwest and southern parts of the Beijing urban area are less densely populated. 2000年人口普查中国民族人口资料，民族出版社，2003/9 (ISBN 7105054255)
Includes only citizens of the PRC. Does not include members of the People's Liberation Army in active service.

Culture

People native to urban Beijing speak the Beijing dialect, which belongs to the Mandarin subdivision of Chinese spoken language|spoken Chinese. Beijing dialect provides the basis for Standard Mandarin, the standard Chinese language used in the People's Republic of China, the Republic of China on Taiwan, and Singapore. Rural areas of Beijing Municipality have their own dialects akin to those of Hebei province, which surrounds Beijing Municipality. Beijing Opera, or Peking Opera (''Jingju''), is well-known throughout the national capital. Commonly lauded as one of the highest achievements of Chinese culture, Beijing Opera is performed through a combination of song, spoken dialogue, and codified action sequences, such as gestures, movement, fighting and acrobatics. Much of Beijing Opera is carried out in an archaic stage dialect quite different from modern Standard Mandarin and from the Beijing dialect; this makes the dialogue somewhat hard to understand, and the problem is compounded if one is not familiar with Chinese. As a result, modern theaters often have electronic titles in Chinese and English. . When photographed in March 2003, the left side was still standing; it has since given way to a new construction project.]] The Siheyuan (四合院) is a traditional architectural style of Beijing. A siheyuan consists of a square housing compound, with rooms enclosing a central courtyard. This courtyard often contains a pomegranate or other type of tree, as well as potted flowers or a fish tank. Siheyuans line Hutongs (胡同), or alleys, which connect the interior of Beijing's old city. They are usually straight and run east-to-west so that doorways can face north and south for Feng Shui reasons. They vary in width — some are very narrow, enough for only a few pedestrians to pass through at a time. Once ubiquitous in Beijing, siheyuans and hutongs are now rapidly disappearing, as entire city blocks of hutongs are leveled and replaced with high-rise buildings. Residents of the hutongs are entitled to apartments in the new buildings of at least the same size as their former residences. Many complain, however, that the traditional sense of community and street life of the hutongs cannot be replaced. Some particularly historic or picturesque hutongs are being preserved and restored by the government, with the objective that by the 2008 Olympics, only these few will remain. One such example can be seen at Nanchizi. Mandarin cuisine is the local style of cooking in Beijing. Peking Roast Duck is perhaps the most well-known dish. The Manhan Quanxi ("Manchu-Han Chinese full banquet") is a traditional banquet originally intended for the ethnic-Manchu emperors of the Qing Dynasty; it remains very prestigious and very expensive. Teahouses are also common in Beijing. Chinese tea comes in many varieties and some rather expensive types of Chinese tea are said to cure an ailing body extraordinarily well. The Jingtailan is a cloisonné metalworking technique and tradition originating from Beijing, and one of the most revered traditional crafts in China. Beijing lacquerware is well known for the patterns and images carved into its surface. The Fuling Jiabing is a traditional Beijing snack food, a pancake (''bing'') resembling a flat disk with filling, made from ''fu ling'' (''Poria cocos (Schw.) Wolf'', or "tuckahoe"), an ingredient common in traditional Chinese medicine.

Stereotypes

Beijingers are stereotypically held to be open, confident, humorous, majestic in manner, enthusiastic about politics, art, culture, or other "grand" matters, unconcerned with thrift or careful calculation, and happy to take center stage. They are however also stereotypically aristocratic, arrogant, laid back, disdainful of "provincials", always "lording it over others", and strongly conscious of social class. These stereotypes may have originated from Beijing's status as China's capital for most of the past 800 years, and the high concentration of officials and other notables in Beijing that has resulted.

Transportation

:''Main article: Transportation of Beijing'' With the growth of the city following economic reforms, Beijing has evolved as an important transportation hub. Encircling the city are five ring roads, nine expressways and city express routes, eleven China National Highways, several railway routes, and an international airport.

Rail

Beijing has two major railway stations: Beijing Railway Station (or the central station) and Beijing West Railway Station. Five other railway stations in Metropolitan Beijing handle regular passenger traffic: Beijing East Railway Station|Beijing East, Beijing North Railway Station|Beijing North, Beijing South Railway Station|Beijing South, Fengtai Railway Station|Fengtai, and Guang'anmen Railway Station|Guang'anmen. Beijing is a railway hub. There are Railways of China|railway lines from Beijing to Guangzhou, Shanghai, Harbin, Baotou, Taiyuan, Chengde and Qinhuangdao. International trains, including lines to cities in Russia and Pyongyang, North Korea (DPRK), all run through Beijing. Direct trains to Kowloon, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region|SAR also depart from Beijing. Construction on a Beijing-Tianjin high-speed rail began on July 4, 2005, and is scheduled to be completed in 2007.

Roads and expressways

:''See: Ring Roads of Beijing, Expressways of Beijing and China National Highways of Beijing for more related information.'' near the intersection with the Northern 6th Ring Road (November 2002 image)]] Beijing is connected via road links from all parts of China. Nine expressways of China (with six wholly new expressways under projection or construction) connect with Beijing, as do eleven China National Highways. Within Beijing itself, an elaborate network of five ring roads has developed, but they appear more rectangular than ring-shaped. Roads in Beijing often are in one of the four compass directions (unlike, for example, Tianjin). One of the biggest concerns with traffic in Beijing deals with its apparently ubiquitous traffic jams. Traffic in the city centre is often gridlocked, especially around rush hour. Even outside of rush hour, several roads still remain clogged up with traffic. Urban area ring roads and major through routes, especially near the Chang'an Avenue area, are often clogged up during rush hour. Recently expressways have been extended (in some cases reconstructed as express routes) into the territories within the 3rd Ring Road (Beijing)|3rd Ring Road. As they are either expressways or express routes, drivers do not need to pass through intersections with traffic lights. This may finally solve the difficulties in "hopping between one ring and another". Another problem is that public transportation is underdeveloped (the subway system is presently minimal) and that even buses are jam-packed with people around rush hour. Beijing was poorly designed in terms of zoning and in terms of transportation system http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/en/doc/2003-10/06/content_269518.htm http://www.bjreview.com.cn/200410/Nation-200410(C).htm Compounding the problem is patchy enforcement of traffic regulations, and road rage. Beijing authorities claim that traffic jams may be a thing of a past come the 2008 Olympics. The authorities have introduced several bus lanes where, during rush hour, all vehicles except for public buses must keep clear. Chang'an Avenue runs east-west through the centre of Beijing, past Tian'anmen. It is a major through route and is often called the "First Street in China" by authorities.

Air

Beijing's main airport is the Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) near Shunyi District|Shunyi, which is about 20 km northeast of Beijing city centre. Most domestic and nearly all international flights arrive and depart at Capital Airport. Capital Airport is the main hub for Air China. It is linked to central Beijing by the Airport Expressway and is a roughly 40-minute drive from the city centre during good traffic hours. In preparation for the 2008 Olympics, another expressway is being built to the Airport, as well as a lightrail system. Other airports in the city include Liangxiang Airport, Nanyuan Airport, Xijiao Airport, Shahe Airport and Badaling Airport. However, these are primary for military use and less well-known to the public.

Public transit

The evolving Beijing Subway has four lines (two above ground, two underground), with several more being built in preparation for the 2008 Summer Olympics. There were 599 bus and trolleybus routes in Beijing as of 2004. http://www.bjstats.gov.cn/tjyl/tjgb/200501210039.htmTaxis are nearly ubiquitous, and some can accept Yikatong cards for payment. Buses and trolleybus fares cost 1 Renminbi for shorter trips, and more for longer trips. Subway tickets range from 2 to 5 Renminbi. Taxi fares depend on vehicle type: these start at 10 Renminbi for the first 3 to 4 kilometers, and go up by 1.20, 1.60, 2.00, or 2.50 Renminbi per extra kilometer, depending on the type of taxi. Some, too, can accept Yikatong cards for payment.

Tourism

:''Main article: Tourist attractions of Beijing'' Despite the turmoil of the nineteenth century|nineteenth and twentieth century|twentieth centuries—including damage caused by Old Summer Palace|European military intervention, the Second Sino-Japanese War|Japanese invasion of WWII and the Cultural Revolution—and the recent intense urbanisation and transformation, including the demolition of hutongs, Beijing still maintains tourist attractions that are rich in history. Although more known for its political significance in the West, Tian'anmen (The Gate of Heavenly Peace) remains the spiritual center of China and one of the most important tourist sites of Beijing, both by itself and as the main entrance to the Forbidden City. Other world-renowned sites include the Badaling section of the Great Wall of China, the Summer Palace, and the Temple of Heaven.

Buildings, Monuments, and Landmarks

Sections of the Great Wall of China|Great Wall (World Heritage Site) at:

Badaling

Juyongguan

Mutianyu

Simatai

Jinshanling

Jiankou

Forbidden City (World Heritage Site)

Tiananmen Square, site of the Tiananmen Square protests of Tiananmen Square protests of 1919|May 4, 1919, Tiananmen Incident|1976, and Tiananmen Square protests of 1989|1989

Tiananmen (Gate of Heavenly Peace)

Great Hall of the People (National Legislature)

The National Museum of China

Monument to the People's Heroes

Mausoleum of Mao Zedong

The Summer Palace (World Heritage Site)

Old Summer Palace|Ruins of the Old Summer Palace

Peking Man Site at Zhoukoudian (World Heritage Site)

The Ming Dynasty Tombs (World Heritage Site)

Gulou|Bell Tower and Drum Tower

Historic Hutongs and Siheyuans in many older neighborhoods

Lugou Bridge (Marco Polo Bridge)

Prince Gong's Mansion|Prince Gong Mansion (Gong Wang Fu)

Zheng Yici Peking Opera Theatre

Liulichang|Liulichang Culture Street

Beijing Ancient Observatory

Temples, Cathedrals, and Mosques

Temple of Heaven (World Heritage Site), situated in the southern area of urban Beijing

Temple of Earth, located in northern Beijing

Temple of Sun, situated in the eastern area of urban Beijing

Temple of Moon, located in western Beijing

Tanzhe Temple

Jietai Temple

Yunju Temple

Yonghegong (Lama Temple)

Guangji Temple

Confucius Temple

Great Bell Temple

Five Pagoda Temple

Temple of Azure Clouds

Temple of Recumbent Buddha

White Dagoba Temple in Beihai Park

Badachu

Immaculate Conception Cathedral

Holy Saviour Church

Niujie Mosque

Parks and Gardens

Beihai Park

Shichahai

Jingshan Park

Beijing World Park

The Fragrant Hills (Xiangshan)

The Grandview Garden (Daguanyuan)

Beijing Botanical Garden

Taoranting Park

Shopping and Commercial Districts

Wangfujing: Beijing's most upscale, globalized shopping district

Xidan

Beijing CBD

Beijing Financial Street

Zhongguancun

Yizhuang see also: Jin Yuan Mall

Hotels and Lodging

In first two decades following the PRC's foundation in 1949, Beijing had virtually no hotels (at least by Western standards), due to economic and social conditions at the time. One system of institution providing a place for individuals traveling to Beijing from other locations to spend the night was the ''zhaodaisuo'' (literally, "accommodation centre"). ''Zhaodaisuo'' were subordinate to state organisations or state organs. Older ones had communal public conveniences and amenities. Some ''zhaodaisuos'' still remain in use today. In the late 1970s, Beijing, alongside much of China during the period of reform and economic opening under Deng Xiaoping, saw greater attempts at attracting and catering to international business. A large number of hotels and other facilities to accommodate business, tourist, and other visitors began to be constructed. Today, given Beijing's size and status as one of the most frequently visited and economically, politically, and culturally important cities in Asia, a great number of hotels exist, many rivalling the highest international standards. The most well-known hotel is the Beijing Hotel, which is state-owned. Other notable hotels are the Great Wall Sheraton Hotel, the Jianguo Hotel, the China World Hotel, the St. Regis, Grand Hyatt at Oriental Plaza and the Peninsula Palace Hotel, operated by the Hong Kong-based Peninsula Group. Youth hostel|Youth hostels do exist but are few in number. There is one near the centre of Beijing, where accommodations are located four floors below ground level.

Nightlife

Nightlife in Beijing is varied. Most clubs are situated in the area around Sanlitun or in the region near the Workers Stadium, especially to the north and to the west. New clubs opened on Gongrentiyuchang West Road. Wudaokou, in northwestern Beijing, is also a bustling center of nightlife. There are more Koreans and other foreigners, mostly students, in the area. Bar-wise, the following areas of Beijing are known as hubs for bars which open until late:

Sanlitun

Houhai

Yuandadu

Education

:''Main article: Colleges and Universities of Beijing'' Beijing is home to an extensive number of colleges and universities, including several well-regarded universities of international stature, especially including China's two most prestigious institutions, Peking University ("Beida") and Tsinghua University. Other well known institutions, domestically and internationally, include Beijing Normal University and Renmin University of China. Owing to Beijing's status as the political and cultural capital of China, a larger proportion of tertiary-level institutions are concreated here than probably any other city in China, reaching at least 59 in number. Many international students from Japan, Korea, North America, Europe, Southeast Asia, and elsewhere come to Beijing to study every year, a growing trend, especially among Western students. The institutions listed here are administered by China's Ministry of Education. Best-known institutions:

Tsinghua University (清华大学) (founded 1911), typically considered one of the two best academic institutions in China along with Peking University

Peking University (北京大学) (founded 1898), typically considered one of the two best academic institutions in China along with Tsinghua University

Renmin University of China (中国人民大学)

Beijing Normal University (北京师范大学) (founded 1902)

Beijing Foreign Studies University (北京外国语大学) Other institutions include:

Beijing Language and Culture University (北京语言大学)

Beijing Forestry University (北京林业大学)

Beijing Institute of Technology (北京理工大学)

Beijing Jiaotong University (北京交通大学)

Beijing University of Chemical Technology (北京化工大学)

Beijing University of Chinese Medicine (北京中医药大学)

Beijing University of Petroleum (石油大学)

Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications (北京邮电大学)

Central University of Finance and Economics (中央财经大学)

China Agricultural University (中国农业大学)

China University of Political Science and Law (中国政法大学)

Communication University of China (中国传媒大学)

Beijing University Health Science Center (formally Beijing Medical University) (北京大学医学部, 原北京医科大学)

University of International Business and Economics (对外经济贸易大学)

University of International Relations (国际关系学院)

University of Science and Technology Beijing (北京科技大学)

Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics (北京航空航天大学)

Beijing University of Technology (北京工业大学) Arts-related institutions:

Central Academy of Drama (中央戏剧学院)

Central Conservatory of Music (中央音乐学院)

Central Institute of Fine Arts (中央美术学院)

Beijing Film Academy (北京电影学院)

Media

]]

Television and Radio

Beijing Television (BTV) broadcasts on numbered channels 1 through 10. Unlike China Central Television (CCTV), there is at present no exclusive English-language TV channel on a citywide level in Beijing. Three radio stations feature programmes in English: ''Hit FM'' on FM 88.7, ''Easy FM'' by China Radio International (CRI) on FM 91.5, and the newly launched ''Radio 774'' on AM 774.

Press

The well-known ''Beijing Evening News'' (''Beijing Wanbao'') newspaper is distributed every afternoon, covering news about Beijing in Chinese. Other newspapers include ''The Beijing News'' (''Xin Jing Bao''), the ''Beijing Star Daily'', the ''Beijing Morning News'', the ''Beijing Youth Daily'' (''Beijing Qingnian Bao''), as well as English-language weeklies ''Beijing Weekend'' and ''Beijing Today'' (the English-language edition of ''Youth Daily''). ''People's Daily'' and ''China Daily'' (English) are also published in Beijing. Nationally-circulated Chinese newspapers are also available in Beijing. Publications primarily aimed at international visitors and the expatriate community include the English-language periodicals ''City Weekend'', ''Beijing This Month'', ''Beijing Talk'', ''that's Beijing'' and ''MetroZine''. The international press, including English- and Japanese-language newspapers and magazines, are available in major international hotels and Friendship Stores, and content often appears complete.

Sports

Beijing will host the 2008 Summer Olympics and the 2008 Summer Paralympics. Professional sports teams based in Beijing include:

Chinese Football Association Super League

Beijing Xiandai

Chinese Basketball Association

Beijing Ducks

Beijing Olympians

City and regional partnerships

Beijing maintains Town twinning|partnerships or "sister city" status with the following international locations. (''Note: some locations are provinces or regional-level units, not cities properly. Beijing itself is not technically a city, being a municipality of China|municipality''). 1: A ''région'' of France
2: A Provinces of South Africa|province of South Africa :Source: http://www.ebeijing.gov.cn/ying/default.htm

See also

List of mayors of Beijing

External links

http://www.ebeijing.gov.cn/

http://en.beijing-2008.org/(English)

http://www.chinaodysseytours.com/maps/beijing.html

http://www.muztagh.com/images/map/map-of-beijing-large.jpg

http://www.beijingvirtualcity.com/

http://www.asinah.org/weather/ZBAA.html

http://gou-rou.com/

http://www.olympicwatch.org/

Travel & Tourism

http://www.code-d.com/china/beijing.html/

http://www.chinahighlights.com/beijing/

http://www.mybeijingchina.com/

http://www.peking.org

http://www.thebeijingguide.com/

http://brucema.topcities.com/beijingtour/index.htmlhttp://www.brucema.co.nr/ pictures

http://www.chinahighlights.com/beijing/tours.htm

http://www.beijingservice.com/

http://www.beijingtrip.com/

http://www.beijinglives.com/

Images of Beijing

http://www.socialcapitalgateway.org/beijing.htm

http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov:81/Newsroom/NewImages/images.php3?img_id=15309at NASA Earth Observatory

Pictures of: http://www.socialcapitalgateway.org/oldbeijing.htm http://www.socialcapitalgateway.org/tienanmen.htm http://www.socialcapitalgateway.org/wangfujing.htm http://www.socialcapitalgateway.org/summer.htm http://www.socialcapitalgateway.org/lama.htm http://www.socialcapitalgateway.org/heaven.htm

http://www.flickr.com/photos/tags/beijing photos likely of Beijing

http://www.ianandwendy.com/slideshowAOG.htm?files=OtherTrips/ChinaVietnamCambodia/China/Beijing

Wiki project links

http://wikitravel.org/en/article/Beijing