Beijing

Beijing has been China's capital city almost continuously since 1272, when the Mongol ruler Kublai Khan established his base here. In the early 1400's the city was named Beijing ("Northern Capital") and became the offical capital of China. The Communist Party took over the capital in 1949. Since the government's economic reforms starting in the 1980's the city has been transformed into a modern cultural center.

Beijing's top attractions are the enormous Forbidden City complex, the Temple of Heaven, and Beihai Park. Nearby to the north are the famous Summer Palace and a major crossing of the Great Wall of China. The city is organized with Tiananmen Square at the center, surrounded by the Forbidden City and major government buildings. Beyond this area the city is organized in concentric rings, with the most important commercial centers to the east.

In 2008 Beijing will be the host city of the Summer Olympic Games.