City guide Beijing

City guide to Beijing, China

A guide aimed at overseas property buyers considering buying property in Beijing

Beijing is the capital of the People’s Republic of China and was formerly known as Peiking. Beijing is China’s second most populated city after Shanghai. The city is a major transportation hub and features several railways, expressways, roads and international flights. The city is recognized as an education, culture and political city. 

There are several neighborhoods located in Beijing and many of them overlap. Many of the neighborhoods were once locations of gates along the former Beijing city wall, while others were villages outside of the wall. The real estate and property investment sector in Beijing has bloomed in the past few years. Property in Beijing sold in 2005 totaled at 28.032 million square miles of housing property. Several of this housing was high-end housing in the central business district of Beijing. Other property related investments in the area include shopping malls and business locations. The neighborhood of Zhongguancun has been called “China’s Silicon Valley,” as the area is a major center in electronics and computers.

Beijing is China's second largest city in terms of population, after Shanghai. It is a major transportation hub, with dozens of railways, roads and expressways entering and leaving it in all directions. It is also the focal point of many international flights to China. Beijing is recognized as the political, educational, and cultural center of the People's Republic of China, while Shanghai and Hong Kong predominate in economic fields.

Beijing is one of the Four Great Ancient Capitals of China. It will also host the 2008 Summer Olympics.

More facts about Beijing at Wikepedia Beijing

Architecture is a prominent feature in Beijing and there are three main styles. The traditional architecture of the city is imperial China. Tiananmen Square is a good example of imperial architecture. “Sino-Sov” consists of boxy buildings that were built in the 1950s to 1970s. The more modern architecture can be found in the business district and they feature a sharp lines and unique designs.

The Beijing Opera is well known throughout the city and attracts a large number of visitors. The opera features a combination of song, traditional dance, spoken dialogue, fighting and acrobatics. Modern theaters have begun broadcasting both Chinese and English subtitles for those who do not understand the language. Teahouses are also very common in the city and Chinese tea is said to cure ailing bodies. Tiananmen is one of the most popular and important sites of tourism in Beijing. The square is also the main entrance to the Forbidden City, the Great Wall of China, the Summer Palace and the Temple of Heaven.

Useful Beijing China resources

Beijing Page

Beijing Official Website International

The United States Embassy in China

Beijing, Beijing Forecast : Weather Underground

The official website of the Games of the XXIX Olympiad

Beijing Travel Information | Lonely Planet Destination Guide