Beijing, China
China was once known as the one of the last bastions of Communism - and in some ways perhaps it still is. But make no mistake - globalisation takes no prisoners and Beijing is no exception.
Beijing is a hip and happening tourist destination and had embraced 21st century innovations with vigour.
You could be forgiven for thinking that life for Beijing's residents revolves around buttoned-down tunics and repressive social policies but that is all in the past.
Beijing, also known in English as Peking, is one of the four municipalities of the People's Republic of China. It borders Hebei Province to the north, west, south and for a small section in the east, and Tianjin Municipality to the southeast.
Beijing is China's second largest city afer Shanghai and is a major transportation hub, with dozens of railways, roads and motorways running through the city.
Traditions and culture in Beijing
The city has a long history with an impressive historical and cultural heritage thanks to its ancient civilisations.
Siheyuan is a traditional architectural style that is native to Beijing. A siheyuan building consists of a square housing compound with rooms enclosing a central courtyard which often contains a pomegranate or other type of tree, as well as potted flowers or a fish tank.
Siheyuans line Hutongs (alleys), which join the interior of Beijing's old city. They are usually straight and run east-to-west so that doorways can face north and south, complying with Feng Shui principles.
In terms of cuisine, Mandarin traditions are the order of the day in Beijing. The city is perhaps most well known for its world-famous Peking roast duck.
Also popular is the Fuling Jiabing, a traditional Beijing snack food which is essentially a pancake (bing) which resembles a flat disk, with filling made from fu ling, wolf, or tuckahoe - an ingredient common in traditional Chinese medicine.
Recommended in Beijing
The art galleries in the 798 Art District is an absolute must-see. The industrial complex is Beijing's leading concentration of contemporary art galleries and incorporates everything from artistic scattered effigies to multimedia installations.
Also deserving of a mention is Beihai Park, which is a gorgeous open space that allows visitors is relax in serene natural surroundings, while watching the world go by or admiring calligraphers scribbling Chinese characters on paving slabs.
Weather in Beijing
Autumn is perhaps the optimal time to visit, when the skies are clear and days are pleasant and breezy.
From May onwards, temperatures can get up to 30 degrees C (86 degrees Fahrenheit) while during summer the mercury can hit 40 degrees C. Heavy rainstorms are also common late in the summer season.
Destination checklist for Beijing
The official language spoken in Beijing is Cantonese and Mandarin so a holiday guide with basic stock phrases will be very useful.
The currency in use is the yuan renminbi. Generally eastern China is more expensive than the western part - travellers should budget for around US$50 a day. A room in a value hotel will cost between $8 and $48, while a more expensive hotel will charge upwards of £200.
When dialling Beijing, you have to use the international code +86 and the city is eight hours ahead of GMT.
