Beijing is the capital of China and also its second largest city, after Shanghai. It is situated on the northern tip of the rough triangular North China Plain. The Great Wall of China stretches along the northern part of Beijing Municipality, which is the greatest tourist attraction for the visitors coming to the city. Another attraction in the city is the ‘Forbidden City’, which is centrally located in Beijing. It is the ancient imperial palace of the emperors of China and is famed to be the world’s largest surviving palace complex. Being walled on all sides, the complex area was called the Imperial City. Beijing is significant in a number of ways and attracts visitors from all over the world. To know some more interesting and fun facts about Beijing, read on.
Interesting and Fun Facts About Beijing
- Beijing is the capital city of People’s Republic of China.
- Beijing is the second largest city in China.
- The Summer Olympics 2008 will be held in Beijing.
- Beijing was known as Peking in Imperial China.
- There are 16 districts and 2 counties in Beijing.
- China Rose or Chrysanthemum is the city flower of Beijing.
- The city tree of Beijing is Arborviate or Chinese Scholar Tree.
- Beijing is referred as the one of the ‘Four Great Ancient Capitals of China’.
- Beijing is the major transportation hub of the country, as it houses many roads and railways.
- Beijing is the political, cultural and educational nerve center of China.
- Beijing is one of the four municipalities (equivalent to provinces in China's administrative structure) of the People’s Republic of China.
- The term 'Beijing' literally means ‘Northern Capital’.
- Beijing was renamed Beiping in 1928 (after the success of the Kuomintang (KMT)'s Northern Expedition), but given back its original name in 1937 (during Japanese occupation).
- On an average day, the air pollution levels in Beijing are nearly five times above World Health Organization standards for safety.
