If the image you for Beijing is the imperial palaces and from there onwards, a vast paragkoupoli, planasthe planin oiktran. The jet business in recent years leads Beijing in a violent transition to a modern big, which hosts a middle class of 12 million inhabitants and has no escape from the "wounds" that beset the modern Western-style urban centres, such as traffic move.
Napoleon said that China is the "sleeping giant". If so, the giant is waking up and modernised, with new buildings and infrastructure, which will have the opportunity to see the Olympics of 2008.
In 2008, Beijing will host the Olympic Games for the first time in a long history. Today Beijing is the cultural, scientific, diplomatic and political centre of global importance. The 2008 Olympic Games provide a unique opportunity for China to present to the world audience its legendary culture and history in conjunction with modern achievements.
Beijing, the capital of the largest country in the world, constitutes the political, economic, social and cultural heart of the People's Republic of China. On the occasion of the Olympic Games, the city, which counts more than 12 million inhabitants, is expected to significantly promote its international position. China is home to one fifth of the world's population. The economy is ranked as the fastest growing in the world.
China is growing rapidly and that nothing can be observed better than Beijing, perhaps Shanghai, which accumulates most of the bourgeoisie, which provides that will soon be twice the entire population of Europe and will have multiple economic strength . It is no coincidence that the Goldman Sachs projects that by 2016, China has anarrichithei in second place of world superpowers behind the USA and by 2041 will have surpassed economic strength.
The panarchaii capital of China is growing so quickly, as well as throughout the country, the analysts predict, perhaps with a dose tromolagneias that in 50 years Europe has become a vast museum to entertains the ordes of Chinese tourists.
One thing is certain, that Beijing has changed.
The strong export activity because of the low cost of production, "thirst" for residents of consumer products but also ejected building activity has resulted in an economic boom which translates into an annual GDP growth of 8-9% over the country.
At the same time, Beijing is one of the oldest cities in the world. It is indicative that there has been a man of Beijing, one of the first human figures in anthropology, who mesouranoyse before 500,000 years.
Historically findings and archaeological excavations have shown that as a city, Beijing dating from 1,057 BC, when King Wu declared as the capital of China. Since then, he has a five feoudarchikon dynastic capital of the Liao, Yin, Yuan, Mingk and Kouingk.
But the specifics of the capital of China does not stop there, and is also one of the largest cities in the world, covering 16,808 square kilometers and is divided into 18 regions, and surroundings. The population is around 12 million, divided into 56 different nationalities, making Beijing one of the most multicultural cities in the world.
The forbidden city, the great wall of China and the Temple of Paradise are three of the main attractions of the city, while included in the list of World Heritage of Unesco.
The Chinese say that nobody can claim that he saw if Beijing does not enter the town Prohibited. But it is also true that the visitor should visit the Dongdan, the Xidan, the five imperial vomous, the eight most famous statues in the city and the Summer Palace.
What now called Beijing was once the Zangkntou or the "central capital" of the Dynasty. The Emperor Shi Zu of the Yuan Dynasty changed the name of the city in Ntantou - "the great capital. The town was named after Beijing, which means" northern capital "during the Ming dynasty (1368-1644).
Whatever the name, the city was the capital of China for at least 900 years. Hence, the formation of the city, which is impressive. The complex of imperial palaces of aristocrats homes and government offices were in "internal city." South was the "outer city", which were people from all social classes. The combination of the two cities constitute the political and cultural heart of China.
Previously, the space now occupied by the Xuanwu region was known as Xuannan and was one of the most active areas of the outer city, and according to historians, was the center of the ancient city of Ji. Hence, the current perception that the region Xuanwu are the "roots" of Beijing.
In today's Beijing region is the heart of commercial activity, with famous shops such as clothes shop Ruifuxiang, the author hats Majuyuan, and the store Neiliansheng arguing that produces the best shoes around Beijing.
For old books and antiques, there is Liulichang, which is known in China but also abroad as a "cultural street". The roads in Xuanwu, and across Beijing, is old, but full of modern buildings.
The region Chongwen, in the southeast of Beijing, is the heart of the commercial sector and the service industry, while also has strong cultural mobility, but also tourist attractions. This is the famous Temple of Paradise, but the Park with the remains of the Wall of the Ming Dynasty, and Zheng Yang Men and many towers that have been maintained by the buildings of ancient Beijing.
The Church of Paradise is literally the symbol of tourism of Beijing. In Chongwen is still the famous market pearls HongQiao, but also the largest and oldest shop metaxoton Beijing, Yuan Long Silk. The Qianmen Quanjude restaurant is a restaurant that introduced the Peking duck in international cuisine.
The ancient streets bustling with life, impressive traditional buildings and modern parks, but the acquaintance with the rich Chinese culture are the elements that attract 1 million tourists annually from around the world, while Beijing receives visits from 10 tourist character locals million annually.
The lion is a special animal for the Chinese. A pair of lion statues is often in front of the gates of traditional buildings in Beijing and ornament and bridges, roads and entrances parks.
These statues with special symbolism, and in accordance with Chinese tradition, the lion is left to the left and the ball traditionally holds with his right hand symbolizes the unity of the empire. The female chaidefei a small liontaraki, in a direct symbolism of male and female roles in Chinese tradition.
The lions, as king of the animal kingdom, represented prestige and power while earlier, and had hierarchical importance since the first grade officials had their homes more χαίτη lions, which gradually shrinking depending on the extent of each official.
Stay in Beijing:
The Peninsula Beijing: 8 Goldfish Lane, Wangfujing, Beijing 100006, People's Republic of China. Tel. 86 10 8516 2888. Accommodation many stars in one of the leading hotels of the famous chain. Choose one of the rooms or suites hotel, which have all modern amenities and room Spa & Fitness. The prices of the hotel start at 220 euros per person for a standard room and from 375 euros per person for a standard suite.
Grand Hyatt Beijing: 1 East Chang An Avenue, Beijing, 100738, People's Republic of China. Tel. 86 10 8518 1234. With an emphasis on luxury hotel that promises memorable stay, has countless activities and is in a strategic position in relation to major attractions. The prices start at 200 euros per person for a standard room and vary depending on the type of room or suite you choose.
St. Regis Hotel, Beijing: 21 JianGuomenwai Dajie, Beijing, 100020, People's Republic of China. Tel. 86 10 6460 6688. Member of the family known Starwood Hotels, singling out for elegance and polyteleia. Located in the business heart of Beijing, near the main shopping centres and services. The prices range between 150 and 200 euros per person, depending on the type of room or suite you choose.
