Beijing--Chinese capital

Beijing, the capital of the People's Republic of China, is the nation's political and cultural center. Some 690,000 years ago, Peking Man lived at Zhoukoudian, 48 kilometers southwest of Beijing. A small town appeared on the present site of southwestern Beijing in 1045 B. C. It was named Ji and then changed to Yan. At the beginning of the 10th century, it was the second capital of the Liao Dynasty. From then on, the city had been the capital of the Jin, Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties until 1911. In the early twenties, Beijing became the cradle of China's new democratic revolution. The May Fourth Movement against imperialism and feudalism began here in 1919. On October 1st, 1949, Chairman Mao proclaimed to the whole world the founding of the People's Republic of China.

Population: approx 14,000,000 fluctuating daily

The total municipal area: over 17,800 square kilometers

Administrative districts of Beijing municipality: total 2 suburban counties(Miyun and Yanqing) and 16 urban districts including Dongcheng, Xicheng, Chongwen, Xuanwu, Chaoyang, Haidian, Shijingshan, Fengtai, Shunyi, Changping, Mentougou, Tongzhou, Fangshan, Daxing, Huairou and Pinggu.

Beijing city trees: the scholar tree and oriental cypress

Beijing city flowers: the Chinese rose and the chrysanthemum