What Is The Capitol Of China? Everything About Beijing

What is the capitol of China? The answer is Beijing. In addition to being the third most populated city overall, it is the second most populated city after Shanghai.

Since Beijing has played a significant role in Chinese history for the past eight centuries, almost every significant building in the city, regardless of age, is significant from a national historical perspective. Because of Beijing’s significance, it is impossible to understand China without having some familiarity with Beijing.

This post introduces all key information about Read on for more information about Beijing, including its location, climate, fun places to visit, transportation, and more!

Table of Contents

Beijing Overview

Beijing, which is situated in the northeast of China, is almost entirely encircled by Hebei Province. Beijing is home to about 20 million people and covers an area of about 16,410 km2 (6,340 sq mi).

With a history that can be traced back to 3,000 years ago, Beijing is one of the oldest cities in the world. It served as the center of six ancient dynasties, including the most extensive and powerful empires of the Yuan, Ming, and Qing.

Beijing plays a significant part in transportation in the north of China as a major hub for expressways, national highways, and high-speed rail lines. Both Beijing International Capital Airport and Beijing Daxing International Airport are among the largest and busiest airports in the world, making Beijing very accessible.

Beijing is one of the most well-liked travel destinations in China, if not the entire world, due to its abundance of historical and cultural attractions. This fascinating city draws millions of visitors each year. Beijing will become even more well-known to the world thanks to the upcoming 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics.

When Did Beijing Become The Capital Of China?

It was the continuous capital of China outside of brief intervals starting in 1272 when the Mongol Emperor and Kublai Khan, the founder of China’s Yuan Dynasty, were brought to the political center. During the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), it became the official capital in 1420, when it took its present name, which means “The Northern Capital”. Beijing, one of the oldest capitals in the world, played a significant role in China’s history for eight centuries and is home to a number of treasures from the country’s rich past.

In 1215, Genghis Khan’s Mongols were brought into the city and wiped out. Kublai Khan moved there in 1260 and founded a new city to the northeast of the existing one.

The city Marco Polo saw with a big hand and gave the name Cambaluc to in his memory is this one, the capital of China. The chief could bring rice through Yangzi because a canal connected Beijing to the large canal.

Beijing was given the name Beiping by the first Ming emperor, Zhu Yuanzhang, who made Nancing the capital. Yongli, the third Ming Emperor (regime 1403–1424), relocated to this location and gave Beijing his name.

Characteristics Of Beijing

National Importance

Beijing serves as the country’s political, economic, educational, diplomatic, and cultural hub.

Beijing is the host city for most national and international government conferences as well as numerous sporting events. Colleges and universities are most numerous in Beijing. Beijing is home to Qinghua University and Beijing (Peking) University, two of China’s top universities. Beijing is home to the headquarters of numerous multinational high-tech companies.

Beijing is the pinnacle of Chinese traditional theater acting, and it is where the renowned Beijing opera first appeared. The predominant dialect of Mandarin taught nationwide is the Beijing dialect.

History

With a history spanning more than 3,000 years, Beijing is also a historic city. It served as the (part of) China’s capital six different times.

Beijing’s buildings combine traditional and modern design elements. The traditional home design in Beijing is known as the siheyuan (courtyard house). Hutongs are the congested passageways between siheyuans. The hutongs of Beijing are among the city’s most visited tourist destinations.

The Forbidden City in Beijing is the best example of Chinese imperial architecture.

International Importance

Beijing is a contemporary global city that, prior to COVID, drew in millions of visitors annually from all over the world.

The second-largest airport in the world, Beijing Capital Airport is the busiest. Most international cities have direct flights to Beijing Capital International Airport and Daxing International Airport.

Beijing became even more well-known worldwide as a result of hosting the 2008 Summer Olympics, which was a turning point in China’s ascent to global power. Beijing will be the first city to host both the summer and winter Olympic Games when the 2022 Winter Olympics are held there in February.

Beijing’s Location And Geography

On a map of China, Beijing is located at the northernmost point of the North China Plain, in the northeast, surrounded by the province of Hebei. The city has a plain to its south and east and mountains to its north and west. North of Beijing, in the mountains, is where you’ll find the Great Wall of China.

Another city, Tianjin, is located to the east of Beijing. Tianjin and Beijing have strong ties in terms of commerce and transportation, particularly by sea. The two principal rivers that pass through the city and flow eastward toward Tianjin are the Chaobai and the Yongding.

Beijing’s city center is thought to be Tian’anmen Square. There are six concentric ring roads surrounding the city’s core.

Important Places To Visit In Beijing

The city is home to the most picturesque section of the Great Wall of China, the only building that is visible from a great distance, numerous locations that are listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, as well as a large number of historic temples and art galleries. In addition, it has green spaces like parks, botanical gardens, and zoological gardens. In terms of urban culture, the city enriches both traditional and modern architecture.

The Forbidden City, the Great Wall, and the Summer Palace are the first sights to see.

The People Of Beijing

Beijing has a population of 21,893,095 as of the most recent national statistics from 2020. It is, after Shanghai, the country’s second-largest urban area.

Han Chinese make up roughly 96% of the populace. The remaining 800,000 residents of Beijing are members of one of the five largest minority groups, which includes the Manchu, Hui, Korean, Mongol, and Tujia.

The most well-known Mandarin dialect is the Beijing dialect, which is spoken by Beijing’s native population.

The Climate Of Beijing

Beijing’s climate is a typical continental monsoon-affected climate, and it is located at 41°N and 116°E on the inland plain of northern China.

There are four distinct seasons in Beijing. Beijing experiences a brief and windy spring and a hot, muggy summer. Beijing’s autumns are cool and pleasant, but its long, dry, and cold winters are not. Spring is the season when dust storms always happen.

The autumn, which lasts from September to November, is the ideal season to visit Beijing. Learn more about Beijing’s climate and weather.

Beijing Transportation

Beijing’s contribution to China’s air, rail, and road transportation systems is significant given its status as the country’s capital. It serves as the principal transportation hub for the entire nation.

Numerous direct rail connections exist between Beijing and thousands of other cities. Getting to Beijing by high-speed train or flight is simple for travelers from all provincial capitals. In Beijing’s urban areas, using the bus, subway, and taxi systems is very convenient. Study up on Beijing’s transportation system.

Air

Beijing is home to two sizable airports. The largest and busiest airport in Beijing is Capital International Airport. Capital International Airport welcomes both domestic and foreign travelers. It is about 25 kilometers (16 miles) northeast of the city center.

Daxing International Airport is the other more recent airport, and it is located about 53 kilometers (33 miles) south of the city. Getting to these airports is made simple by using a shuttle bus, taxi, or subway train.

Trains

The largest junction in China’s railway system is Beijing. The majority of major cities in the other provinces have direct trains to Beijing. The well-known Jingjiu Railway traverses the majority of the nation from north to south from Beijing to Hong Kong.

High-speed trains can help you travel from Beijing to other Chinese cities quickly and affordably. In China, taking the train is common and fun.