From the Peking Man settlement around half a million years ago to its post-Olympic sprawl of glistening high-rises, the current capital of the People’s Republic of China has reinvented itself on numerous occasions, adopting different names to suit its changing face. Despite China’s current preference for rapid development, much of the city remains absorbed in the cultural tapestry of the past 800 years, having taken its lead from the rise and fall of each dynasty.
Modern Beijing is as diverse and fascinating as ever. In addition to the monumental imperial structures, the Great Wall and the Communist vision of Tiananmen, lies a host of new delights waiting to be discovered. From some of the best restaurants in China, to colourful markets and contemporary architecture, the capital has reinvented itself as a world city. No other place in China can reveal a sense of the country’s past, present and future quite like Beijing.
