Friday, August 2, 2013

Beijing: Chinese modernity wrapped in culture

Beijing is the capital city of the Republic of China, world’s most populous country. It is the second largest city and also the seat of government, education and culture. The city is popular for its uniformity and regular construction.

The Beijing Capital International Airport receives millions of passengers each year and is the second busiest airport in the world. Beijing is an international city and schedules many important events through the year. The city played a gracious host to global athletes during the Olympics Games in the year 2008.
Beijing is surrounded by hills and many rivers flowing through it add to the grandeur of this affluent city. Whether you are on a business trip or a casual holiday you must visit a few remarkable tourist attractions that will leave you captivated.

The Forbidden City, don’t go by the name, is an imperial palace located in the heart of Beijing. A 500 year old landmark it is home to the Palace Museum. It is a beautifully carved wooden structure that has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You can delve into the Chinese history and find a lot of information on the artwork and artifacts here.

Tiananmen Square is a huge city square and one of the largest in the world. It shares a deep connection with China’s past and over the years has witnessed a number of events of great importance to the Chinese context. Even today it is thronged as much by people for mass celebrations as by politicians to address the gathering. It reminds the country of its May Fourth Movement in 1919 and the proclamation of the People’s Republic of China by Mao Zedong on October 1, 1949.

The Temple of Heaven is a large architectural compound that was once an important seat for the emperors to pay their obeisance to the heavens. All of it has been built in accordance to these philosophies followed by the then rulers. It was later turned into a park and today is one of the prime tourist attractions in the city.
The Summer Palace is another magnificent beauty worth a visit. A beautiful park located on Longevity Hill and overlooking Lake Kunming, it is steeped in 800 years of thriving records. You will find a range of pavilions, halls, palaces, gardens, temples, bridges and classical style architectures here. It is an aesthetic treat, a popular tourist attraction and a melodious leisure outing area.

When in Beijing you can’t miss the sight of The Great Wall of China, a majestic and distinguished Chinese creation. It is said to be the only man made structure visible from the moon, a feat yet unachievable. 6,000 kilometers long, this wall has been duly renovated from time to time. It was originally created to protect the region from invaders.

China is famous for its handicrafts and Beijing is the perfect place to get hold of authentic Chinese goods to take home. You can pick up from a plethora of options like antiques, porcelain, cloisonné, lacquerware, silk, jade, paintings, embroidery and other products.

You can further indulge in Chinese splendor provided you have the time and the enthusiasm!