Beijing Overview

The ancient heart of the People's Republic of China, Beijing literally means the northern capital. All aspects of Chinese life from commerce to culture to, of course, politics at some time or another must cross this rapidly modernizing city.

Districts

To the first-time visitor, Beijing seems a vast and sprawling city. Characterized by long, wide boulevards and a labyrinthine network of overpasses and freeways, the place can be quite bewildering.

Fortunately, there is order in the chaos. At the heart of Beijing lies the Forbidden City, around which run four concentric ring roads. The first of these is barely worth mention, but the second and third are essential for navigating around town. Finally, the fourth is useful for commuting to the airport and outlying suburbs. These ring roads are broken down logically according to points of the compass, so "East Third Ring Road North Road" means the northernmost stretch of the eastern section of the Third Ring Road. Easy!

There are 10 districts and eight counties in Beijing municipality proper, with each district containing distinctive "areas". Most areas of interest are in the eastern Chao Yang and central Dong Cheng districts, which make up downtown. The following are highlights:

Chao Yang District--As the most concentrated commercial and residential area in Beijing, Chao Yang offers many areas of interest for the visitor. Within this district are Chao Yang Park, the San Li Tun nightlife area, and the Jian Guo Men and Ri Tan business and embassy districts.

Jian Guo Men Wai and Ri Tan--You will always see a wide mix of international faces here: tourists, businesspeople and local Chinese. The main street, Jian Guo Men Wai Avenue, is a mad hustle of people, cars and vendors selling everything from pirate CDs to rickshaw rides. There are many major hotels and office buildings in the area, including the massive China World Hotel. Tourists can try their hand at bargaining at the ever-crowded Silk Alley. Just a few blocks away, however, one can find peace and quiet in the graceful tree-lined streets of the embassy area and in serene Ri Tan Park.

San Li Tun--This is a loosely designated area of bars and pubs with San Li Tun North and South Streets at its heart. These are Beijing's premier people-watching spots. On a sunny day, this is the place to chill-out over drinks on the sidewalk patios and watch life go by. Besides the ubiquitous cafes and bars, you will also find numerous funky shops selling everything from framed prints to Tibetan handicrafts and clothes. The nearby San Li Tun Market is a good place for bargains on North Face jackets as well as other designer goods. Nighttime always reveals the decadent side of San Li Tun. Club goers can plan an evening itinerary by hitting the Den, Vogue and the Havana Cafe.

Chao Yang Park--A large park that is being touted as the next people-watching hang-out to rival San Li Tun. Upscale bars, pubs, restaurants and shops have recently located here. Buy freshly baked bread from Bella's and then scoot next door to Jenny Lou's to do a little bit of import grocery shopping. Cap off the day by heading over to the Big Easy for some spicy Cajun cooking and live blues.

Chong Wen District--Located in the south of the city, this is a long-established commercial area, selling everything from eyeglasses to sporting goods. Check out the Qian Men Shopping Area for some of Beijing’s oldest stores. The area is also worth visiting to see the beautiful Temple of Heaven and the Hong Qiao Market, a treasure-trove of objects both banal and bizarre.

Dong Cheng District--With Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, and Mao's Mausoleum, this district is Tourist Central. Not surprisingly, major hotels abound here--such as the Beijing Hotel. If you are tired of sightseeing, you can always indulge in a serious shopping spree in the Wang Fu Jing Shopping District.

Wang Fu Jing--This is Beijing's premier shopping street. It is partially closed to cars and is crowded at all times of the day with shopaholics and tourists alike. Recently unveiled to the public after months of renovation, this wide, sprawling street is a showcase of Beijing's economic progress. Stop off at the Beijing Foreign Language Bookstore to pick up a Chinese dictionary or the latest John Grisham potboiler. Go shopping at the Sun Dong An Plaza, Beijing's mammoth shopping mall. Feeling peckish? Then dine on deep-fried scorpion among other culinary delights at the Wang Fu Jing Night Market. If the idea of chomping on insects does not appeal, try upscale dining at one of several four- and five-star hotels in the area.

Feng Tai District--This district is located in the southwest of Beijing. Mainly an industrial area, there are several cultural and historical sites worth visiting, such as the China Space Museum, Feng Tai Park and Marco Polo Bridge.

Hai Dian District--This northwestern part of the city is also known as the university district, because China's equivalents to Harvard and Yale--Beijing and Qinghua Universities--are located here. Owing to the young student population, this area has a reputation for being rather hip and arty. Hai Dian district is also designated a high-technology zone, so this is where you will find the aspiring Microsofts and Internet start-up companies. There are plenty of cheap restaurants and casual bars that cater specifically to the student crowd--Solutions, for example.

Where To Stay

For easy access to all of Beijing's attractions, shops, and restaurants, consider staying in the city's eastern district, Chao Yang, or central district, Dong Cheng. Hotels in the northeast of the city, near the airport, are best for those with early flights or for those wishing to avoid Beijing traffic during rush hour.

Northeast Third Ring Road--You will find a number of four- and five-star hotels here owing to the area's proximity to downtown, the airport and accessible transportation. The Kempinski Hotel, the Great Wall Sheraton and the Hilton are perennial favorites.

Dining And Drinking

Beijing offers a bewilderingly wide choice when it comes to dining out. Restaurants open and close at the blink of an eye, and sometimes it is difficult to keep track of the gastronomic scorecard. Given that this is the capital, it is not surprising that there is a wide mix of international cuisine available. Diners can take their pick from French through Thai to African food. There are also many regional specialties in Chinese cooking--diners can try food from Shanghai one night and Tibet the next, without ever having to step outside Beijing!

Entertainment

Art--Beijing has a flourishing art scene. Contemporary painting enjoys popularity in the city's art galleries but collections are still not as extensive as in other major world cities. You will also find traditional art, such as landscape painting and calligraphy, but this work often tends to be overlooked in favor of more modern styles.

Museums--Beijing offers a full quota and wide diversity of museums--just like any capital city worth its salt! Some museums are educational, such as the Museum of Natural History (infamous for its pickled human specimens!) and the high-tech China Space Museum. For those eager to learn more about Chinese history and culture, why not visit historical museums such as the Confucian Temple and the Former Residence of Soong Ching Ling?

Music--Classical music concerts are held at various locations in Beijing. The most impressive auditorium is the Beijing Concert Hall which seats up to 1,000 people. The upscale Century Theater is another major venue for a classical music fix. Various hotels across the city, such as the Palace Hotel and Jianguo Hotel also host soothing musical performances. For a flavor of local culture, try the San Wei Bookstore and enjoy traditional Chinese music played with such instruments as the erhu and pipa.

Beijing Opera--Characterized by vivid costuming, face make-up and a vocal pitch akin to caterwauling (according to some!), this traditional form of performance art dates back to the 18th century. Beijing Opera proves extremely popular with tourists and is performed in various tea houses and theaters such as Lao She Tea House and Liyuan Theater.

Getting Around

Beijing is serviced by an extensive subway system. City buses, tour buses, taxis, and rickshaws are also common modes of transportation.

Beijing By The Numbers

Population: 15 million
Elevation: 55 meters/ 180 feet
Annual Rainfall: 890 millimeters/ 34.7 inches
Average Winter Temperature: -3 degrees C/ 27 degrees F
Average Summer Temperature: 26 degrees C/ 79 degrees F
Ethnic Mix: Han Chinese ( 92% ), Other ( 8% ).
Electricity: 220 volts AC, 50Hz; two-pin plugs are standard
Time Zone: GMT+ 8
Country Code: +86
Area Code: 010

Did You Know?

From the Great Wall to Tiananmen Square, Beijing has always been a city with a rich and turbulent history. In 1966 Mao Zedong instituted the Cultural Revolution bringing the city under communist rule. Since this time, the city has struggled to preserve its political structure while allowing for modernization. Beijing is hosting the 2008 Olympics and major renovation projects are underway.

Orientation/Geography

Beijing is situated in the northeastern sector of China and comprises an area of over 50 miles/80 kilometers. At the center of the city is the Forbidden City, which is surrounded by a series of "ringed" districts.


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