Assignment Week 9

History Culture

The city of Beijing has a long and rich history that dates back over 3,000 years. Prior to the unification of China by the First Emperor in 221 B.C., Beijing was for centuries the capital of the ancient state of Yan. During the first millennia of imperial rule, Beijing was but a provincial city in northern China. Its stature grew in the 10th to the 13th centuries when the nomadic Khitan and Jurchen peoples from the steppes expanded into northern China, and made the city a capital of their dynasties, the Liao and Jin. When Kublai Khan made Dadu the capital of the Yuan Dynasty (1279-1368), all of China was ruled from Beijing for the first time. From this time onward, with the exception of two interludes from 1368 to 1421 and 1928 to 1949, Beijng would remain as China’s capital, serving as the seat of power for the Ming (1421-1644) and Qing (1644-1912) dynasties, the early Republic of China (1912-1928) and now the People’s Republic of China (1949 - present).

Undoubtedly, Beijing is the cultural center of China. Beijing has endowed too many connotations for culture. Beijing is just like the thickest encyclopedia, containing the cultural heritage of 5,000 history of China, absorbing the exploding knowledge of the current society, and foretelling the scenarios of the future development. If you are

an out-comer, you might find it hard to locate a portal for merging into the melting pot of Beijing culture, as the culture in Beijing is so complicated and elaborate that it deserves a life time to probe into. As the capital for several ancient dynasties, Beijing owns plenty of royal elements in its cultural system. Beijing people are elegant and proud, but they seldom look down upon people from other regions. Beijing has never repelled outside cultures and fashions. Beijing shows a patient and considerate attitude for any culture so long as it is logical or reasonable to some extent. So you can easily find the traces of a great variety of cultures nationwide or even worldwide.

Place of Interest Transportation At the heart of Beijing’s historical centre With the growth of the city following ecolies the Forbidden City, the enormous pal- nomic reforms, Beijing has evolved as the ace compound that was the home of the em- most important transportation hub in the Peoperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties; the ple’s Republic of China, and within the larger Forbidden City also hosts the Palace Mu- East Asian region. Encircling the city are five seum, which contains imperial collections ring roads, nine expressways and city express of Chinese art. Surrounding the Forbidden routes, eleven China National Highways, sevCity are several former imperial gardens, eral railway routes, and an international airport. parks and scenic areas, notably the Beihai, Rail Shichahai, Zhongnanhai, and Zhongshan. Beijing has long been the largest railway hub Among the best known religious sites in in China. As of 1 May 2009, Beijing Railway the city is the Temple of Heaven (Tian- Station has 177 trains stopping daily, while tan), located in southeastern Beijing, also Beijing West Railway Station has 220 trains. a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where Roads and expressways emperors of the Ming and Qing dynas- Beijing is connected via road links from ties made visits for annual ceremonies of all parts of China as part of the National Trunk Road Network. Nine expressways of China connect with Beijing, as do eleven China National Highways. Air Beijing’s primary airport is the Beijing Capital International Airport near. The capital links Beijing with almost every other Chinese city with regular air passenger service. prayer to Heaven for good harvest. Great Wall in Beijing is another place of interest that visitors should not miss. The Great Wall was originally built to prevent minority’s invasion into China. As time goes by, it becomes a magnificent place for traveling. There are numerous fun place in Beijing, please come and explore by your own

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Useful Resources in Beijing • http://www.ebeijing.gov.cn/ • http://www.beijingpage.com/ The capital city of the People’s Republic of China (PRC), Beijing (Peking) is a fast-growing, dynamic metropolis that, while courting foreign businesses and visitors, maintains a firm grip on its rich cultural heritage and a strictly Communist social order. It is a monolithic showcase that can give a distorted view of China to foreign visitors. Beijing is a modern city with high-rise buildings, shopping malls and vast international hotels connected by an intricate freeway system crisscrossing the city. In the rush hour, traffic jams can match those of any major city around the world and the ringing of mobile phones is incessant. However, the modern buildings conceal traditional hutongs, parks, numerous architectural treasure and exquisite yellow-tiled temples whose prayer flags and wind chimes move in the breeze created by the passing traffic.

• http://www.travelchinaguide. com/cityguides/beijing.htm • http://www.travelbeez.com • http://www.beijingtraveltips. com/ • http://www.lonelyplanet.com/ china/beijing • http://www.chinahighlights. com/tour/beijingtour • http://www.beijingpage.com/ transportation/ • http://www.tour-beijing.com

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