Beijing, also known as Peking, has been the heart of China’s history for centuries and is famous for its palaces, temples, squares, huge stone walls and gates.

	Major Chinese Cities      ♦      Hotels in Beijing Beijing has an Urban population of around 9 million, and is not only the nation's political center, but also its cultural, scientific and educational center, and a key transportation hub. Situated on the north edge of the North China Plain, it is sheltered by chains of mountains to the west, north and east. In southeastern part is a plain. Beijing's temperate climate produces four clearly contrasted seasons: a short spring, rainy and humid summer, long and cold winter and a very pleasant autumn. Today Beijing is a modern and fashionable city complete with a full 21st Century vitality, but you can still experience authentic Beijing life and become acquainted with "Old Beijing" by exploring its many teahouses, temple fairs, Beijing's Hutong and Courtyard and enjoy the Peking Opera. With the largest central square in the world - Tiananmen Square; The Forbidden City that is the largest and best preserved imperial palace complex; a superbly preserved section of the Great Wall; as well as the largest sacrificial complex in the world - the Temple of Heaven, Beijing attracts both domestic and foreign visitors who all come to wonder at its century-old history and unique cultural relics. There are towering skyscrapers, busy shopping mall and an endless stream of traffic that makes the city much the same as any other great metropolis elsewhere in today's world. The most famous and popular commercial circles and commercial pedestrian streets are predominantly located near the Yansha Shopping Mall, Tiananmen and Wangfujing Street, Guomao Shopping Mall, Qianmen Street and Xidan Street. Nowhere else on earth will you find such a variety of gourmet Chinese restaurants offering the very best of the eight different styles of Chinese cuisine as well as western style dishes.