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Basics

Area (City) 1,368.32 square km
Area (Metro) 15,042.22 square km
Population 20.69 million (2012)
Coordinates 39°26'-41°03'N  115°03'-117°30'E
January Average  Temperature −3.7 °C (25.3 °F)
July Average  Temperature 26.2 °C (79.2 °F)
Average Frost Free Days 180-200 days/year
Average Elevation 20-60 meters
Annual Rainfall 728 mm (2012)
Annual Sunshine 2,000-2,800 hours
Phone Area Code 10
Postal Code 100000–102629

Geography and Climate

Beijing, China's national capital and the host city of the 2008 Olympic Games. is situated at the north edge of the North China Plain. Not far to its northwest is the vast Inner Mongolian Plateau and a hundred kilometers to the east is the Bohai Sea. Beijng is also flanked by the crawling Taihang Mountains to its west and the alluvial plain by the rivers of Yongding and Chaobai to its south. It was

Located in the North Temperate Zone with a continental monsoon climate, Beijing enjoys and annual mean temperature of 11.8°C (53.24°F) and annual mean precipitation of 630 mm, which concentrates mainly in the summer. January is the coldest month with the monthly mean temperature of -4.7°C (23.54°F) while July the hottest month with a mean temperature of 26.1°C (78.98°F). Beijing's spring is relatively short, and people used to say that when the last day of the winter is gone, the summer is about to set in. Summer is usually hot with abundant rainfall. Autumn days are cool with clear sky and gentle breeze, making it the best season to travel. As winter is severe, outings naturally require heavy clothing. Climatically, Beijing's four seasons cater to different interests of tourists.

Brief History

Beijing is a great city noted for the rich heritage of oriental history and culture. As early as three thousand years ago, a primitive tribal community started to take shape here. A tone had already come into being two thousand years ago.

From 900 A.D. onward, Beijing served first as the secondary capital of the Liao Dynasty (916-1125) and then capitals of the Jin (1115-1234), Yuan (1271-1368), Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1919)Dynasties successively. Beijing was made the capital of the People's Republic of China which was founded on October 1, 1949.

Beijing Local Products

Beijing and its surrounding counties are known to have the best quality Miyun dates, Jingbai pears and Liangxiang chestnuts. King-size persimmon and especial the frozen ones are unique. Preserved fruits from of a part of Beijing's traditional speciality. The Beijing Duck is a fine breed, well-know for its delicate meat. Beijing also offers artefacts, jade and stone carvings, filigree and lacquer ware, jewellery and the watercolor wood block printing of Rongbaozhai.

Beijing Local Cuisine

Beijing presents a galaxy of China's famous cuisine. Here you not only are offered with four major schools of Chinese cuisine, namely, Shandong, Sichuan, Jiangzhe and Guangdong, but have a great variety of gastronomically specialities to choose from Beijing, Hunan, Shanxi and Henan styles, let alone numerous local flavors and snacks.

Beijing roast duck provides a special enjoyment to thousands of customers, Chinese and foreigners alike. The top restaurants serving Beijing roast duck are Quanjude Roast Duck Restaurant at Hepingmen and its branch at Qianmen and Bianyifang Roast Duck Restaurants. They stick to the traditional roasting method and maintain the original flavor. You will find the duck with dark brown color, crispy skin, and tender and tasty meat lightening the enjoyment of the guests. Your visit to Beijing is incomplete without a try at the Beijing roast duck.

You can also try the Beijing rinsed mutton with Mongolian hot pot at Donglaishun Restaurant, imperial recipes at Fangshan Restaurant, any of the famous dishes at Sichuan, Guandong, Huaiyang, and Tanjin, styles at the Beijing Hotel Restaurant, a "complete fish meal" at the Hall of Listening to the Oriole Restaurant at the Summer Palace, or a "complete pork meal" at Shaguoju or a "complete lamb meal" at Hongbinlou. The Barbecue of Kaorou Ji and Kaorou Wan is also quite famous.