Beijing

Orientation

For almost 600 years, Beijing has been the heart of the most densely populated nation on Earth, China. The city was set up as a northern base to deter the Mongols in 1406 by Emperor Yongle of the Ming Dynasty. 14 years later, he went on to build the Forbidden City, where the internationally acclaimed movie, “The Last Emperor” was filmed. Until the 1911 Chinese Revolution, the Chinese Empire was ruled for over 500 years from these 200 acres of palaces and temples. Beijing’s modern architectures are equally impressive, such as the Great Hall of the People and Mao’s Mausoleum, built in 1976.

City Facts

• Beijing Population: 12,033,000 (Source: UN Population Division 2000 estimate)
• China Population: 1,276,301,000 (Source: UN Population Division 2000 estimate)
• Currency: Yuan (Renminbi)
• Time Zone: GMT+8, Eastern Standard Time +13, Pacific Standard Time +16
• Languages: The Official Language is Putonghua (also known as Mandarin), while other dialects, like Cantonese, Xinjiang, Xiamenhua, Hakka, Mongolian, Tibetian and Fukienese are spoken.

Weather

Weather Forecast

Climate

The Beijing weather is quite extreme, with very hot summers and bitterly cold winters. Autumn is the recommended time to visit the city, as it is often warm and sunny, and fewer tourists crowd the attractions.

Travel Tips

Custom

Feel free to explore the fascinating alleyways during your travels in Beijing as these “hutongs”, snippets of old Beijing life where wonderful neighbourhoods packed the narrow streets, are giving way to redevelopments of the capital city.

Dining

Widely available in Beijing are the mouth-watering classic Chinese dishes, like Peking Duck, spicy Gongbao Jidang, chicken fried with peanuts and chilli pepper and Shanghai steamed fish, as well as regional cuisines like the Sichuan Smoked Duck and Cantonese Snake Soup. You can also try the local Tsingdao beer, tea or the selection of international fine wines in Beijing.

Tipping Advice

Tipping is becoming increasingly accepted in Beijing. A three percent tip is widely regarded as a standard nowadays, while room service staff expects one or two USD.

Transportation

As China’s capital city, Beijing’s international airport and rail links are well-developed to accommodate the large numbers of visitors everyday. Furthermore, a top-class road system radiates in several directions from the city center.

Arriving by Air

Capital International Airport is the main airport in Beijing.

Getting Around Beijing

Driving in Beijing is chaotic, especially at “zebra crossings” where local drivers rarely give way. When walking in the capital, beware of the 10 million bicycles on the roads. Make sure the taxis have a meter before getting on board.

Beijing is serviced by 2 subway lines, including the Ring Line that runs through and beyond Beijing Station, while the other line travels between Ping Guo Yuan (Apple Orchard) and the Xidan shopping area via Gongzhufen. The transit station for both lines is the Fuxingmen Station, open between 5:30am and 11:00pm daily. Subways are clean and safe, but congested during rush hours.

Traveling by bus, public or trolley, is easy as stations are well-marked. Expect cramped conditions, however, as buses are popular due to the proficient and inexpensive services.

Rickshaw rides are an exceptional way to experience old Beijing, and often traveling into “hutongs”.

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