Beijing is an incredibly old city, but it has been the capital of China for a relatively short period in its history. Nevertheless, there are plenty of ancient palaces, parks, and traditional Chinese pagodas to see there. In addition, Beijing was home to China’s emperors for a long time, which had significantly influenced the city’s architectural ensemble.
Everyone has heard about Beijing’s Forbidden City, the palace of Chinese emperors. Closed for the people of the past, it is, of course, totally available to visit today. The Forbidden City makes up the geographical and cultural center of Beijing. Millions of visitors cross its endless halls and gates every other day to find themselves in the emperors’ park, where they can enjoy a great panoramic view of the city.
Speaking of the reasons to visit Beijing, it is possibly the best place to dive into Chinese culture. Except for ancient architecture, it has dozens of live shows, from traditional Beijing opera to modern artists’ performances. To fully experience the city’s lifestyle, pay a visit to Beijing’s oldest quarters. They are especially attractive in the evenings when locals are coming back from work. The streets of Beijing are filled with some kind of spiritual energy at this time, so don’t miss out!
However, it’s not like that all Beijing has to offer are historic places, not at all. The modern capital of China has united all the best features of the world’s leading centers. It is the largest financial center in northern China and the second after Shanghai in the whole country. The Chinese National Government is located in Beijing, the same as other significant political, cultural, and economical organizations.