Over 140 million local tourists and 4.4 million global travelers seek every year to see first-hand why Beijing is one of the greatest cities the world has ever known.
Bordered to the north, west and south by Hebei Province and to the southeast by Tianjin Municipality, Beijing city is one of the Four Great Ancient Capitals of China, along with Nanjing, Luoyang, and Chang'an. It is nestled on the triangular tip of North China Plain and has a diverse topography of plains, steppes and mountain ranges.
Continental monsoon weather makes way for all four seasons experienced in the city, with January being the coldest month at -4 degrees Celsius and July, at 29 degrees, being the warmest. Summers are mostly dry but sometimes humid while winters are dry with snowfalls happening about twice a year, usually from December into January.
There is hardly one structure in Beijing that is not part of its history. Although essentially a flatland, the greater municipality of Beijing includes highlands in the north, where the Great Wall of China was erected to protect against nomadic invasions. The city is also known for its historic temples, palaces, stone walls and gates, among which are the 12th century Marco Polo Bridge, the Monument to the People's Heroes and of course, the city's most architecturally exquisite building, the Temple of Heaven, where emperors of the Ming and Qing Dynasties used to pray for a good harvest.
The people of Beijing are typically simplistic although technological advancements have made them more open to exploring highly functional and useful gadgets. They are also known to be artistic and have a tendency to hold on to their conservative nature even as the Western culture has created some notable changes, especially among the younger population. They can be very clannish and emotionally attached, particularly in father-and-son, brother to brother and spousal relationships, and close friends may be regarded more as family members.
Expats who have made good friendships with Beijing locals will usually attest to this.
In Beijing, as with any other city in
China, there is not any single religion that people follow, but traditional beliefs in Confucianism, Buddhism and Daoism are evident in their daily lives and practices. Religion is also synonymous with philosophy for the Chinese who are also observed of late to be displaying an openness to Christianity, Islam and the new ethos of capitalism.
When packing for Beijing, expats and tourists should never forget to include sturdy but comfortable shoes, as one is unlikely to resist walking around the downtown streets which teem with fabulous historical landmarks. The same goes for those exploring the Great Wall of China, where anti-insect creams may come in handy. With mostly windy and sunny days, it is always a good idea to bring sunscreen and a sun visor. For colder days, a simple jacket, a pair of gloves, a scarf and a hat will do.
Beijing is not only one of Asia's most significant cities as far as carving world history is concerned. Today, it is also the economic, political and transportation hub of China, which is the world's fastest economy, besting the United States and Tokyo even as these countries remain the top two economies in terms of exchange rates.
As far as expatriates are concerned, Beijing is all the more proving to be a choice destination, not only for its economic promise but also for its respect for its own culture and heritage which may have become more dynamic but are still as pure as ever.
