| Beijing
guide |
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Beijing City Guide
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The fascinating capital of the People’s Republic of China, Beijing, is
one of the most visited places in the world. Thanks to its rich
history, extremely valuable art and culture, and for housing some of
the most important government institutions, the capital has rightfully
earned its place among the most popular tourist destinations. |
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The name of city that served as a capital
for the first time in 1264, Beijing, literally means ”Northern
Capital”. It is home to one of the world's oldest and most multifaceted
civilizations, covering a history of over 5,000 years, Beijing is the
perfect site to discover customs, traditions, getting closer to the
rich culture of the Chinese nation.
Although the city is known
for its flatness and regular constructions, having only one single hill
to climb, temperatures can vary greatly.
The climate in the whole
country fluctuates significantly, from temperate continental climate to
subtropical one. In Beijing summers tend to be extremely warm, with
temperatures well over 30 degrees Celsius, while winters can be harsh
and freezing.
The official language is Mandarin Chinese, the
Mandarin language self served as the administrative language of the
Ming and Oing dynasties and it is mainly based on the Beijing dialect.
It is truly handy if you know some phrases in Chinese or have a map
with you in order to get some help from locals. Even though almost
everybody knows conversational English, when you are looking for
something in particular, may that be a place or restaurant or anything,
it’s good to know its Chinese name. English language may come in hand
especially when you are addressing younger people, as in the last few
years more and more schools started teaching English to their students.
Beijing
is absolutely spectacular any time of the year, though it is best to
visit in spring or summer. Its unique character and atmosphere together
with its cultural and historical treasure make sure that every single
minute spent there will be unforgettable.
Olympic Games 2008
The
city that once was the cradle of the Ming and Oing dynasty
emperors hosted the 2008 Summer Olympic Games, officially
known as the Games of the XXIX Olympiad. The opening ceremony
was held in the spectacular Beijing National Stadium on 8. August
2008. This date (8/8/08) was chosen due to the fact that the
number 8 is considered a lucky figure in China. The official logo of
the games, titled "Dancing Beijing," features a calligraphic character
jīng (meaning capital), representing the host city.
The
mascots of the Olympics were the five Good-Luck Dolls (Fuwa) each
representing an Olympic color and a symbol of Chinese culture. ”One
World, One Dream” was the slogan of the Olympics, calling upon the whole
world to unite in the Olympic Games, which lasted from the 8th of
August until the 24th. It was followed by the Beijing 2008 Summer Paralympics,
starting September the 6th lasting until the 17th and the 2008 World
Mind Sports Games, held between October 3-18. |
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Beijing
guide |
