Beijing is a world-famous city for its long history and splendid
culture. According to archaeological discoveries, more than seven hundred thousand
years ago, there were primitive people (Beijing Ren) in this area. The written
records show that in 350 BC, it was occupied and made the capital of Ji. Later
in its history it got other names such as Zhuojun during the Sui Dynasty (581-618),
Youzhou during the Tang Dynasty (618-907), Nanjing and Yanjing during the Five
Dynasties and the Liao Dynasty (907-1125), Zhongdu during the Jin Period (1115-1234),
Dadu during the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368), Beiping and Beijing during the Ming
Dynasty (1368-1644), Beijing during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), Beiping again
under the control of Nationalist Party (1912-1949) and it finally was named Beijing
after the People's Republic of China was founded in 1949.
In the year 1272, Beijing became the Capital of a unified country for the first
time in the Yuan Dynasty (1206-1368), which was written in the Travels of Marco
Polo.
In fact, Beijing has been the Capital of Jin, Yuan, Ming, Qing and Republic of
China and today it still is the center of national politics, economics, culture,
transportation and tourism.
Now Beijing is undergoing big changes and heading for modernization as ancient
civilization meets with modern achievements of the whole world, creating youthful
vigor and energy.
Climate
Beijing lies in the continental monsoon region in the warm temperature zone
and its climate represents as hot and rainy in summer and cold and dry in winter.
The four seasons in Beijing are distinct. It is dry, windy and sandy in spring
and hot and rainy in summer. Autumn is the best season in a year when the sky
is blue; the air is crisp, mild and humid. However, winter is cold and dry with
little snow. The average temperature throughout a year is 11.7℃. The average
temperatures of the hottest month, July and the coldest month January range
from 27℃ and -4.6℃. The shorter seasons, spring (usually from February to April)
and autumn (usually from August to October) are better seasons for visiting
Beijing when it is sunny and warm with few tourists crowding in the attractions.
If you come to Beijing in spring, you could wear a thin sweater, a pair of sweat
pants, and a coat. But sometimes it may be a good idea to bring a warm cap because
it is windy and sandy during this period though it is not cold. In summer the
temperature could reach as high as 30
C. When you go out, you could take
an umbrella along with you if it doesn't bother you much, because a downpour
may come unexpectedly at evenings from July to August. Autumn is the most beautiful
season, but after October you may feel the constant changes of the weather and
you may encounter light rains at any moment. So it is better to bring some heavy
clothes with you. In winter, you need a heavy woolen sweater, and a long wind
coat or a down jacket. Generally there will be two or three heavy snowfalls
each winter, so it is always wise for you to have anti-skidding shoes with you
when you come. Lastly, don't wear light-color clothes in winter.
Bilingual weather information can be obtained if you dial 121 in Beijing.
Tourism
Beijing had been the Capital of four Dynasties before the founding of PRC. Its
Great Wall, splendid palaces, beautiful gardens, old temples, a considerable
variety of exhibitions and museums and former residences of celebrities show
its glorious history and civilization.
Today more than two hundred and sixty places of interest have been opened to
the public with new ones under building and planning. Besides these places of
interest, the natural scenery of Beijing's suburbs also attracts great many
visitors with its charms, hills, lakes, hot springs, karst caves and so forth.
In 1986 sixteen famous scenic spots of Beijing were picked from forty spots
and were named "the Sixteen Sights of Beijing". They are Tiananmen Square, Forbidden
City, Badaling Great Wall, Beihai Park, Summer Palace, Temple of Heaven, Fragrant
Hill, Shidu Scenic Spot, Relics of Primitive at Zhoukoudian, Longqing Gorge,
Big Bell Temple, White Dragon Pond, Ming Tombs, Lugou Bridge, Mutianyu Great
Wall and Grand View Garden.
The Capital Airport, the largest and most advanced one in China, has more than
twenty international airlines connecting countries in Asia, Africa, America,
Europe and Oceania. It has over thirty airlines connecting about eighty big
cities within the country. Meanwhile, it is the center of highway-net and communication.
There are more than two hundred star hotels in the city supplying more than
fifty two thousand rooms. There are about three hundred travel agencies around
here.
Beijing is not only a world-famous city for its tourism but also a good medium
for you to know more about China, a time-honored country, and the Chinese, a
diligent and wise nation.
tour_operator2003@yahoo.com.cn
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