On September 27, 1949, the First Plenary Session of the CPPCC unanimously adopted a resolution making Beiping, renamed Beijing as of the day, capital of the PRC.

 Beijing's History

Some half a million years ago, Peking man lived in Zhoukoudian, in the southwestern suburbs of Beijing. The climate of that time was warmer and more humid than it is today. Forests and lakes in the area supported large numbers of living creatures. The fossil remains of Peking man, his stone tools and evidence of use of fire, as well as later tools of 18,000 years ago, bone needles and article of adornment from the age of Upper Cave Man are the earliest cultural relics on record in China today.   more>>

 Beijing's location

(Photo source: CRIENGLISH.com)

The city has shifted location several times in the past several thousand years, but the spatial dimensions have remained fairly constant over time. The present city center is 39°56' N, 116°20' E, at an elevation of 44.38 meters above sea level, the northwestern corner rising mere 10 meters above the southeast. more>>

 Map of Beijing

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Map of Beijing (Photo source: China Daily)

 Beijing in 2003

Beijing reported a 10.5 percent growth in GDP in 2003, amounting to 361.19 billion yuan. Retail sales in the capital totaled 191.67 billion yuan in 2003, up 16.6 percent from 2002.The annual income of the urban residents came to 13,882.6 yuan, an 11.2 percent increase over the previous year, while the annual net income of the average farmer amounted to 6,496.3 yuan, an 11.5 percent increase. more>>

 Beijing Attractions

The forbidden city (Photo source: China.org.cn)

• Top attractions
• Principal Sites Around the Forbidden City
• Major Historical Sites
• Tales of Streets and Hutongs
• Public Parks and Former Gardens
• Places Commemorating Famous People
• Museums, Schools and Cultural Institutions
• Temples, Mosques and Churches
• Scenic Spots on the Suburbs of Beijing
• Art Galleries

 Beijing Subway

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Beijing Subway (Photo source: China Daily)

 Official Trees and Flowers

Chrysanthemum (Photo source: China.org.cn)

In the spring of 1987, delegates to the Sixth Session of the Eighth Municipal People's Congress, meeting in the Great Hall of the People. Overwhelmingly approved the scholar tree and oriental cypress as the official city trees, the Chinese rose and the chrysanthemum as Beijing's official city flowers.  more>> 

 Embassies & Consulates

 Beijing Government Portal