One of the world’s largest cities and capital of the People’s Republic of China, Beijing is the political and cultural centre of the country. Modern skyscrapers housing some of China’s largest state-owned companies stand juxtaposed against a rich architectural heritage of ancient palaces, temples, tombs and gardens, many of which are designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
The city centres around Tiananmen Square in the Dongcheng District, one of the world’s largest public squares and the site of the infamous student massacre in 1989. To the east stands the stately Great Hall of the People, while the Mausoleum of Mao Zedong lies to the south. The immense National Museum of China flanks its eastern edge and offers a comprehensive look at the country’s artistic and cultural heritage, and includes the Museum of the Chinese Revolution. The 15th century Tiananmen Gate leads into the Forbidden City to the north, home to the lavish Palace Museum which traces the imperial history from the end of the Qing Dynasty to 1912. Other historic landmarks include the remains of the Ming Dynasty City Wall and the Drum and Bell Towers which once dominated the ancient skyline.Beijing’s modern architecture is best illustrated in the iconic "Bird’s Nest" stadium, built for the 2008 Olympic Games, and the distinctive CCTV Headquarters, it is affectionately known as the "Bird Legs" by locals. Not far away lies the Lama Temple, considered one of the most beautiful in the country, while to the south is one of Beijing’s symbols at the Temple of Heaven.
Beijing is served by both the Beijing Capital International Airport and smaller Nanyuan Airport, while the Beijing Railway Station is the main terminus for high-speed trains across the country. The subway system is the easiest way for tourists to get around the city, with good signage in English, although there is an extensive bus service for those who understand Mandarin or Chinese.
While there is evidence of Palaeolithic Homo sapiens living in the area 27,000 years ago, the first walled city named Ji stood between the 11th and 7th centuries BC. Beijing became a prefectural capital when the country was unified under the First Emperor of the Qin Dynasty in 221-206 BC and later the northern terminus of the Grand Canal, the largest artificial river in the world.