Beijing (Peking)
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| Beijing (Peking) | |
|---|---|
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| Name | Beijing |
| Other name | Peking |
| Native name | 北京 |
| Settlement type | Municipality |
| Coordinates | 39°54′N 116°23′E |
| Country | China |
| Province | Direct-administered municipality |
| Established | 1045 BC (Zhou), 1271 (Khanbaliq) |
| Area km2 | 16,410.54 |
| Population total | 21,893,095 (2020) |
| Timezone | China Standard Time (UTC+8) |
Beijing (Peking) Beijing is the capital municipality and political center of the People's Republic of China, with a history as an imperial capital, imperial seat, and modern national capital. It serves as a focal point for diplomacy, culture, and transportation, hosting major sites such as the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, and the Great Wall of China sections at Badaling. Beijing is a national hub linking historical dynasties, revolutionary eras, and contemporary institutions like the Central Military Commission, the Communist Party of China, and the National People's Congress.
History
Beijing's urban lineage traces to the Zhou dynasty capital of Ji (city), later becoming the Liao dynasty's Nanjing (Liao) and the Jin dynasty's Zhongdu. Under the Yuan dynasty Kublai Khan founded Khanbaliq and the city became the Yuan capital, while the Ming dynasty established the Forbidden City and rebuilt walls reflected in the Ming tombs. The Qing dynasty retained Beijing as its seat, witnessing events like the Boxer Rebellion and interactions with the Eight-Nation Alliance. In the 20th century Beijing was central to the Xinhai Revolution, the May Fourth Movement, and served as the focal point during the Chinese Civil War and the establishment of the People's Republic of China in 1949. Beijing later hosted landmark events including the 1978 Third Plenary Session of the 11th Central Committee, the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests and massacre, and the 2008 Summer Olympics, reshaping its urban fabric through projects like the Bird's Nest and the Water Cube.
Geography and Climate
Beijing sits on the northern tip of the North China Plain near the Yanshan and Taihang Mountains, bordered by Hebei province and close to the municipality of Tianjin. The municipality includes urban districts, suburban counties, and mountainous zones such as the Miyun Reservoir and Yanqing District with the Badaling Great Wall. Beijing's climate is classified as monsoon-influenced humid continental, with hot summers influenced by the East Asian monsoon and cold, dry winters from Siberian High air masses. Air quality concerns have engaged agencies like the Ministry of Ecology and Environment and initiatives with partners including the World Health Organization and multinational corporations to address smog and PM2.5 pollution.
Government and Administration
As a direct-administered municipality Beijing combines municipal and provincial functions and hosts national organs: the Zhongnanhai leadership compound, the State Council, and national bodies such as the Supreme People's Court and the Supreme People's Procuratorate. The city's municipal government interfaces with the Communist Party of China municipal committee and maintains administrative districts like Dongcheng District, Xicheng District, Chaoyang District, and Haidian District. Beijing administers national parks, cultural heritage under the State Administration of Cultural Heritage, and security coordination with the Ministry of Public Security and the People's Liberation Army garrisons stationed in the municipality.
Economy and Infrastructure
Beijing is an economic powerhouse hosting the headquarters of state-owned enterprises such as China National Petroleum Corporation, China Mobile, and Bank of China, plus private tech giants like Baidu, Tencent (with offices), Alibaba (with regional presence), ByteDance, and Meituan. The city is home to financial centers like Beijing Financial Street and research clusters such as Zhongguancun and universities including Peking University and Tsinghua University which feed innovation ecosystems with startups, venture capital, and partnerships with multinational firms like Microsoft, Intel, and IBM. Major infrastructure projects include Beijing Capital International Airport, Beijing Daxing International Airport, high-speed rail connections to Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Harbin, and utilities managed by corporations like China Southern Power Grid and the State Grid Corporation of China. Economic policy initiatives have involved the Belt and Road Initiative and pilot reforms from the National Development and Reform Commission.
Demographics and Society
Beijing's population is diverse, composed predominantly of Han Chinese along with ethnic minorities including Manchu, Hui, Mongol, and Korean people in China. Migrant workers from provinces such as Henan, Sichuan, and Anhui contribute to the urban labor force while hukou policies of the Ministry of Public Security and municipal regulations shape residency and social services. Educational institutions like Renmin University of China and Beihang University attract domestic and international students, while cultural exchanges occur with consulates from countries like the United States, United Kingdom, and France. Social welfare and health systems coordinate with the National Health Commission and clinics such as Peking Union Medical College Hospital.
Culture and Heritage
Beijing's cultural legacy includes imperial sites Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace, and classical neighborhoods such as Hutong alleys and Siheyuan courtyards. The city fostered traditions like Peking opera with troupes such as the China National Peking Opera Company and literary figures like Lu Xun and Mao Dun who engaged Beijing's intellectual circles. Museums such as the National Museum of China and the Capital Museum, theaters like the Poly Theatre, and festivals including the Beijing International Film Festival and the Beijing International Music Festival showcase heritage. Contemporary art districts like 798 Art Zone and institutions including the Central Academy of Fine Arts position Beijing as a center for modern art, design, cinema, and culinary scenes featuring Peking duck restaurants like Quanjude.
Transportation and Urban Development
Beijing's transportation network includes an extensive Beijing Subway system, ring roads such as the 2nd Ring Road and 4th Ring Road, and intercity links via Beijing–Shanghai High-Speed Railway and the Jingbao Railway. Airports include Beijing Capital International Airport and Beijing Daxing International Airport designed by Zaha Hadid. Urban planning projects involve redevelopment in Dongcheng, the redevelopment of Beijing Olympic Park and green corridors, managed under policy frameworks from the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development and collaborations with developers like China State Construction Engineering Corporation. Initiatives addressing traffic congestion, cycling schemes comparable to historical Ofo trials, and electric vehicle adoption with manufacturers like BYD and NIO shape sustainable mobility and urban form.