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Modern and historical
Where can one experience the traditional Chinese culture and history to the fullest? The answer is Beijing with its three thousand years of history. As the capital of China, combining both modern and traditional architecture, Beijing is particularly rich in Chinese history and culture, which is cultivated with great dedication. It is also the political, cultural and scientific center of the entire country. Therefore, it is also the home to the largest Chinese state-owned enterprises and organisations as well as an important hub for national and international air traffic, road traffic, railways and modern high-speed trains. Beijing Capital International Airport has been the world’s busiest airport since 2010, and since 2016, the city’s subway network is the second longest metro network in the world.
Highlights in Beijing
One could fill entire bookshelves with the highlights of Beijing, we have summarised the most important ones here. Beijing now has a total of seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites – the Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace, Ming Tombs, Zhoukoudian Cave Systems, and parts of the Great Wall and Emperor Canal, all of which provide an exciting testimony to the history and culture of the Middle Kingdom. Furthermore, Beijing’s Siheyuans, traditional Chinese residential complexes, and the associated Hutongs, the narrow streets between the individual Siheyuan, invite the visitors to keep on exploring. Alongside these characteristic and charming sites, you will also find quarters of the city with numerous small bars and restaurants. Although not always that easy to find, they are definitely worth the search. Wangfujing Street is one of the most famous shopping streets in China. The majority of this street is a pedestrian area and a trendy shopping destination not only for tourists but also for the inhabitants of the capital.
Travel around Beijing
Beijing is an ideal starting point for exploring the surrounding countryside, and for travelling throughout China, as the capital is a very well developed transportation hub. It only takes 4.5 hours to get to the pulsating metropolis of Shanghai by train, even though the two cities are over 1000 km away. Without a question, visiting the Great Wall of China is a must. The two most famous sections are Badaling and Mutianyu, both a good hour north of Beijing by car.
The climate in Beijing
Beijing’s environment is as rich and diverse as the city itself. Beijing’s summer (June to August) is very warm, and it often comes with humid weather. In contrast, the winters are quite cold and dry. The most beautiful seasons for Beijing are spring and autumn. The spring (April to May) is pleasantly warm but partly windy and in autumn (September and October) the city’s weather is dry and mild with about 20 degrees. The weather may be more favorable during spring, summer and autumn however, the winter time in Beijing also has its charm.
Means of transport in Beijing
The public transport network of the capital is excellently developed. There are 14 metro lines available, which all together offer over 527 km of a metro network – that is continually expanding. There are 1000 bus lines ready for transport that connect all parts of the city. A fleet of 67,000 taxis offer the opportunity to get from A to B at any time of the day or night.