Beijing - Location and History

Location

Beijing is located in northern China, at the northwestern edge of the North China Plain. Surrounded by mountains to the west, north, and northeast, and opening to the vast plain in the southeast, it lies just over one hundred kilometers from the Bohai Sea. This unique geography has made Beijing a vital hub since ancient times—linking Northeast, North, and Northwest China, serving both as a gateway to the grasslands and frontier regions, and as a passage to maritime routes.

Thanks to these natural advantages, Beijing has long held a central role in China’s history as both a political and military stronghold. Today, it is not only the capital of China and a national center of transportation, science, and culture, but also a key bridge connecting China with the wider world.

History

With a history of more than 3,000 years as a city and over 800 years as a capital, Beijing has long been one of the cradles of Chinese civilization. Once the ancient capital of the State of Yan and later the imperial seat of the Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties, it is home to world-renowned cultural treasures such as the Forbidden City, the Great Wall, the Temple of Heaven, and the Summer Palace. These UNESCO World Heritage Sites stand as enduring symbols of the wisdom and brilliance of an ancient civilization. The city’s profound history and cultural legacy make Beijing one of the rare metropolises that has consistently embodied a nation’s political, cultural, and spiritual identity.

In the modern era, Beijing is not only the capital of the People’s Republic of China but also a vital gateway to the country’s rapid development and opening to the world. It proudly hosted both the 2008 Summer Olympics and the 2022 Winter Olympics, becoming the world’s only “Dual Olympic City,” and showcasing China’s confidence and dynamism on the global stage.

Today’s Beijing is a place where towering skylines and cutting-edge innovation thrive alongside the timeless charm of an ancient capital. It is a city where history and modernity shine together in harmony—both a microcosm of China’s development and a vital window through which the world comes to understand and experience China.