Ultimate Beijing Travel Guide: Top Attractions, Tips & Must-See Places

Geographical Location of Beijing

Beijing, abbreviated as “Jing” (京) and historically known as Yanjing (燕京) or Beiping (北平), is the capital of China and a centrally administered municipality. As the country’s political, cultural, international exchange, and technological innovation hub, Beijing is located at 39°56′ N latitude and 116°20′ E longitude in the northern part of the North China Plain.

The city shares its eastern border with Tianjin, while its remaining sides are adjacent to Hebei Province. To the west, the Xishan (Western Hills) form part of the Taihang Mountains, whereas the north and northeast are dominated by the Jundu Mountains, a segment of the Yanshan Mountain Range. The highest peak in Beijing is Dongling Mountain (东灵山), situated in the Mentougou District, reaching an elevation of 2,303 meters (7,556 feet).

Beijing experiences a typical temperate semi-humid continental monsoon climate, characterized by hot, humid summers and cold, dry winters.

Historical Evolution of Beijing

Beijing boasts a rich history and vibrant culture, ranking among China’s first batch of National Historical and Cultural Cities and one of the Four Great Ancient Capitals (alongside Xi’an, Nanjing, and Luoyang). It is also the city with the most UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the world, featuring iconic landmarks such as the Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Badaling Great Wall, and the Summer Palace.

The city’s history dates back 3,060 years, with human habitation tracing as far back as 700,000 years ago, when the Zhoukoudian Peking Man roamed the region. In 1045 BCE, Beijing became the capital of the Ji (蓟) and Yan (燕) states. Since 938 CE, Beijing has served as:

• The secondary capital of the Liao Dynasty
• The central capital (Zhongdu) of the Jin Dynasty
• The capital (Dadu) of the Yuan Dynasty
• The imperial capital of the Ming and Qing Dynasties
• The seat of the Beiyang Government of the Republic of China

On October 1, 1949, Beijing officially became the capital of the People’s Republic of China.

Historical Names of Beijing

Throughout history, Beijing has been known by various names, each reflecting a different era and its significance at the time. Below are some of the most notable historical names of Beijing:

1. Yandu (燕都) – 11th century BCE
   • The capital of the Yan State during the Western Zhou Dynasty.
2. Rixia (日下) – Tang Dynasty
   • First appeared in Book of Jin (《晋书》) and was later used in Tang poet Wang Bo’s famous work Preface to the Pavilion of Prince Teng (《滕王阁序》):
     • “Looking toward Chang’an under the sun, pointing to Wu Hui amid the clouds” (望长安于日下，指吴会于云间).
   • “Rixia” metaphorically referred to a flourishing and prosperous place.
3. Youzhou (幽州) – Ancient and Imperial China
   • First mentioned in The Book of Documents – Canon of Shun (《尚书·舜典》): “Yan was called Youzhou” (燕曰幽州).
   • The name Youzhou was officially used as an administrative region during the Han, Wei, Jin, and Tang Dynasties.
4. Jingcheng (京城) – Tang Dynasty (742 CE onward)
   • Initially referred to Chang’an, the capital of the Tang Dynasty.
   • Later, Jingcheng became a general term for the capital of any dynasty.
   • When Beijing became the imperial capital, it was commonly referred to as Jingcheng.
5. Dadu (大都) – Yuan Dynasty (1272-1368 CE)
   • In 1272, Kublai Khan designated Beijing as Dadu, the capital of the Yuan Dynasty.
   • Also commonly referred to as “Yuan Dadu”.
6. Beiping (北平) – Ming Dynasty (1368 CE)
   • In 1368, after the Ming Dynasty overthrew the Yuan, Emperor Hongwu (Zhu Yuanzhang) renamed Dadu as Beiping, meaning “Pacified North,” to commemorate the conquest.
7. Beijing (北京) – Ming Dynasty (1403 CE – Present)
   • In 1403, Emperor Yongle (Zhu Di), after seizing the throne, renamed Beiping to Shuntian Prefecture (顺天府) and initiated the construction of Beijing as his new capital.
   • This marked the official establishment of the name “Beijing”, which has been in use for over 600 years.
8. Jingshi (京师) – Ming and Qing Dynasties (1420 CE onward)
   • In 1420, after Emperor Yongle completed the construction of the Forbidden City, he officially moved the capital from Nanjing to Beijing, renaming it Jingshi, meaning “Capital City.”
   • The name remained in use throughout the Qing Dynasty.
9. Jingzhao (京兆) – Republic of China (1913-1928 CE)
   • In 1913, after the abolition of Shuntian Prefecture, Beijing was renamed Jingzhao, directly administered by the central government.
   • In 1928, Jingzhao was abolished, and Beijing was renamed Beiping once again.

Transportation in Beijing

1. Railway Stations

Beijing has five major railway stations, each serving different routes and regions:

• Beijing Railway Station (北京站) – Built in 1959, it is the third-largest railway station in Beijing.
• Beijing South Railway Station (北京南站) – Reconstructed in 2008, it is the second-largest railway station in Asia.
• Beijing West Railway Station (北京西站) – Opened in 1996, it handles numerous high-speed and long-distance trains.
• Beijing North Railway Station (北京北站) – Established in 1905, it is part of the historic Beijing-Zhangjiakou Railway.
• Beijing East Railway Station (北京东站) – Built in 1938, primarily serving freight and some passenger trains.

2. Airports

Beijing has six airports, including military, regional, and international hubs:

• Nanyuan Airport (北京南苑机场) – Primarily used for military and agricultural purposes.
• Xijiao Airport (北京西郊机场) – A military airport.
• Liangxiang Airport (北京良乡机场) – A small military airport serving as a naval aviation test and training center.
• Shahe Airport (北京沙河机场) – A medium-sized military airport used for flight testing.
• Beijing Capital International Airport (首都国际机场) – One of China’s largest international airports, serving as a key aviation hub.
• Beijing Daxing International Airport (大兴国际机场) – A super-large international airport, acting as a major global aviation hub.

3. Beijing Subway

As of March 2023, the Beijing Subway consists of:

• 27 operational lines
• 807 km of track length
• 475 stations, including 81 interchange stations

Beijing’s subway system is the largest in China, with its first line (Lines 1 & 2) opening on January 15, 1971, making Beijing the first Chinese city to operate a metro system.

Culture and Education in Beijing

1. Cultural Heritage

Beijing is known as the “City of Museums”, with 151 registered museums. Notable ones include:

• National Museum of China – The largest museum in the world.
• Palace Museum (Forbidden City Museum) – One of the world’s top five museums, alongside:
  • The Louvre (France)
  • The British Museum (UK)
  • The Hermitage Museum (Russia)
  • The Metropolitan Museum of Art (USA)

Beijing is also home to the National Library of China, which is the third-largest library globally and the largest in Asia. It was originally founded as Jingshi Library (京师图书馆) in 1909.

2. Education

Beijing is China’s most developed educational hub, hosting the largest number of top universities in the country. Key institutions include:

• Peking University (北京大学)
• Tsinghua University (清华大学)
• Renmin University of China (中国人民大学)
• China Foreign Affairs University (外交学院)
• Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications (北京邮电大学)
• Beijing Normal University (北京师范大学)
• PLA National Defense University (中国人民解放军国防大学)