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Beijing China, a
municipality directly under the Central Government is the capital
of the People's Republic of China and the country's political,
economic, cultural and transportation center as well as a famous
historic city. Geographically located in the northwest part of the
North China Plain, and covering an area of 16,800square km.
Beijing is the second largest city in China with a population of
more than 11 million. It has a semi-humid continental climate in
the warm temperate zone. With an annual average temperature of 12
degrees Centigrade and rainfall of 641 millimeters, Beijing is
neither cold in winter nor very hot in summer. The best seasons in
Beijing are Spring and Autumn. China is indeed an ideal place to
visit all round the year.
Beijing is the political center of China where the Party's Central
Committee, the State Council, ministries and commissions under the
government, and more than 140 foreign embassies are located. It is
also an international exchange center.
Beijing is an economic center of China. Being one of the biggest
industrial bases in China, Beijing's industrial production is the
second largest in value among all Chinese cities. An industrial
system with iron and steel, coal, machinery, chemical and
petroleum, textiles, electronics and other industries as its
mainstays has already taken shape. Beijing's arts and crafts are
famous for their long history, great variety, and superb
workmanship. The most popular ones among them are cloisonne, ivory
carvings, jadeware, carved lacquer ware, snuff bottles, silk
flowers and Beijing's embroidery etc.
As the country's center of culture, education, science and
technology Beijing has more than forty state scientific research
institutions, over thirty universities and the greatest number of
professional and technical Beijing has more than forty state
scientific research institutions, over thirty universities and the
greatest number of professional and technical personnel.
In Beijing, there are numerous museums and libraries with the
largest collection of books in china. Beijing also serves as a
center for international exchange in culture, science and
technology.
It is a hub of communications, with good railroad and air links
with all parts of China, as well as with major cities of the
world, thus facilitating the rapid development of tourism as an
important industry in Beijing.
Beijing is an ancient city with a long cultural history. The four
feudal dynasties--Jin, Yuan, Ming, and Qing had all set up their
capital here. That's why it became a most concentrated place of
the country's scenic spots and historical sites. Among them, the
best known is the Palace Museum, the Summer Palace, the Great Wall
and the Temple of Heaven.
Beijing aims to develop into a modern international metropolis.
Beijing city is designated as the 2008 Olympic host country, it is
the most potential city with fast development and modernization,
the future tourism center of the world.
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 degree Centigrade. The average temperatures of the
hottest month, July and the coldest month January range from 27
degree Centigrade and -4.6 degree Centigrade. 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 30C. 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.
Beijing Dining
China's new found economic wealth is clearly demonstrated in the
lavishly decorated restaurants found in today's Beijing. Treat
yourself with sumptuous Chinese classics such as Peking Duck,
spicy Gongbao Jidang, chicken fried with peanuts and chilli pepper
and Shanghai steamed fish. Delicious regional cuisine from Sichuan
Smoked Duck to Cantonese Snake Soup can be accompanied with local
Tsingtao beer, tea or wines from around the world.
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