Red City Tourist Guide Series -- Beijing

Author: Liu Yue
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-07-01
Features: This series of books takes famous red tourism cities with a glorious revolutionary tradition and significant influence in the history of the Chinese Revolution as its subjects. It focuses on revolutionary memorials, historical artifacts, historical figures, and the revolutionary spirit they embody to showcase the red tourism resources of these cities and their surrounding areas. The aim is to guide readers in gaining a comprehensive understanding of the history and revolutionary essence of these red tourism cities, as well as to provide them with scientific and well-informed visits.
Beijing is the capital of the People's Republic of China. Located in northern China on the northern edge of the North China Plain, Beijing is bordered by Tianjin to the southeast and Hebei Province on all other sides. It lies at 39°56' north latitude and 116°20' east longitude. The northern part of Beijing is the Yanshan Mountains, the western part is the Taihang Mountains, and the southern part is the North China Plain. Major rivers within Beijing's jurisdiction include the Yongding River, Chaobai River, and Wenyu River, with the Bohai Sea located about 130 kilometers to the east.
As one of the four municipalities directly under the Central Government, Beijing is China's second-largest city after Shanghai. It serves as the political, cultural, and economic center of China, as well as a major transportation hub. Beijing has a history of urban development spanning over 3,400 years and has been the capital of China for 700 years. It was the capital during the Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties and is one of China's four ancient capitals.
Beijing has a typical temperate continental monsoon climate with distinct four seasons. Summer temperatures can reach up to 40°C, while winter temperatures can drop to -15°C, with an average annual temperature of 11.7°C. Most rainfall occurs between July and August. According to incomplete statistics, Beijing's total population is approximately 14.93 million, with a significant proportion being migrants.
Beijing has a long history, with its urban history dating back 3,000 years. During the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods (771–221 BC), the state of Ji was established in the area of modern Beijing. Later, the state of Yan defeated Ji and moved its capital there, renaming it Yandu or Yanjing. During the Qin, Han, and Three Kingdoms periods, the area around Beijing was a key northern stronghold of China, with names such as Jicheng, Yandu, Yanjun, Youzhou, and Zhuojun. In the Tang Dynasty, the area was known as Youzhou. An Lushan declared himself emperor here, establishing the state of "Great Yan." In the early Five Dynasties period, warlord Liu Rengong established a separatist regime, claiming the title of King of Yan, but was later defeated by the Later Tang. During the Liao Dynasty, the Liao Empire established a secondary capital in the area, naming it Nanjing Xijinfu.