北京市 · Capital: 北京
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Beijing is the capital of the People's Republic of China and one of the world's great ancient capitals. As the country's political, cultural and diplomatic center, it blends millennia of imperial history with the energy of a modern megacity of more than 21 million people.
Situated in the northwestern part of the North China Plain, Beijing sits at the northern tip of the Grand Canal and the eastern end of the Silk Road. The city rises from about 40 m above sea level in the south to more than 2,000 m in the western Miyun and Mentougou mountains.
Human settlement here dates back to the Peking Man of Zhoukoudian over 700,000 years ago. Beijing served as the capital of the Liao, Jin, Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties, and became the capital of the Republic and then the People's Republic of China in 1949.
Beijing is the cradle of Peking Opera, the home of the Forbidden City and the Temple of Heaven, and the birthplace of the distinctive Beijing dialect and courtyard (siheyuan) architecture. Traditional arts, calligraphy and shadow puppetry remain vibrant.
Beijing cuisine is famous for Peking duck, zhajiangmian (noodles with fermented soybean paste), and imperial court dishes. Snacks such as douzhi and jianbing reflect the city's northern, wheat-based food culture.
Must-see sights include the Forbidden City, the Great Wall at Badaling and Mutianyu, the Summer Palace, Temple of Heaven, and the 798 Art District.