Beijing (China)

 

It lies about 70 miles (110 km) from its port of Tientsin, and near natural gateways to Mongolia and Manchuria. Beijing proper consists of two adjoining walled cities: the Inner City (the Manchu city), dating from the 15th century, and the Outer City to the south, built a century later. Inside the Inner City was the Imperial City; and that, in turn, enclosed the walled and moated Forbidden City. The Forbidden City, which was the emperor's palace, is now a museum. Modern government offices stand just west of the Palace Museum, around two lakes. South of the former palace is Tien-an-Men (Gate of Heavenly Peace), where Chinese leaders review parades on holidays.

 

 

Southeast of the Palace Museum is the former Legation Quarter, with department stores, hotels and theatres. The Outer City, south of the Inner City, contains business districts and the Temple of Heaven, set in a park. In modern times, Peking has expanded beyond its walls, particularly toward the former Summer Palace (now a park) in the north-west.

 

 

The city's industries include a steel plant, a railway-wagon factory, cotton mills, and plants producing machinery, matches, glass and cement. Beijing is famous for its handicrafts (enamelware, embroidery, carved ivory and jade). The city is China's leading educational centre.

 

 

Since the earliest days of China's history there has been a city where Beijing now stands. As one capital was destroyed, another rose on the same site. Kublai Khan, the Mongol emperor of China, had a capital here, visited by Marco Polo, circa 1275. Beijing was China's capital for 500 years under the Ming and Manchu emperors. Under the Nationalist regime (after 1928), the seat of government was established at Nanking. During that period, Beijing was known as Peiping, which means ' northern peace'. In 1949, the Chinese Communists made it once again the national capital.