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Beijing diachrony-Diachrony of Beijing, a history of more than 3'000 years

Chinese Dynastic List,Chinese History List A Fragment of History — Beijing appeared in the earliest written history as "Ji", a vassal state of Western Zhou dynasty in then China's nortern area. During the middle ages of Spring and Autumn period(770-476B.C.), another important vassal state — Yan, located in south-west of Ji, conquered Ji and moved Yan's capital to the city of Ji. That's why even today Beijing is also called "Yan Jing", and Yan Jing had remained as the capital ever since till the unification under Qin dynasty. In 938 A.D., Ji city turned into the alternate capital of the city of Liao — founded by an ethnic minority "Qi Dan" tribe which developed in the northern area. They named Ji city as Yan Jing, or Nan Jing because Ji located in deeper south. More than one century later, another ethnic minority tribe named" Nu Zhen" concquered Qi dan by ending Liao dynasty and in 1153 established their capital too in Yanjing, or Central Capital. In 1267, the leader of mongolian tribes Kublai Khan commanded to build new capital city in Jiaozhu, after four years of construction, Kublai Khan ascended the throne as the emperor and established Yuan dynasty in China's history. Chinese Dynastic List,Chinese History List The newly built city of Yuan is the city referred to by the famous traveler Marco Polo — "the city unmatched by any other places in the world." Since then, Beijing, the capital of Yuan served as Chinese unique political center, and remained so till Ming and Qing dynasty.
In 1911, the last feudalist dynasty of Qing had been overturned, following decades of battles and wars. In 1949, People's Republic of China was established, and Beijing, as the capital of modern China, flipped to a brand new page in world history.

Beijing diachrony-Diachrony of Beijing, a history of more than 3'000 years

If you wanna know more of Beijing city and Beijingers’ history, must visists include:

Zhoukoudian-site of Beijing Man - the natural habitat of human ancestors 700’000 years ago Location: zhoukoudian, Fangshan district Bus: Take bus 917 from Tianqiao near Tiantan Park goes to Zhoukoudian. Car: Take the Jingshi Expressway to the Yancun (闫村) Exit, turn onto Jingzhou Road (京周公路) and follow the signs. Opening hours: 8.30am-5.30pm Tel:6930 1278 Admission: 30CNY

Capital Museum. China - along the western extension of Chang'an Street. With its magnificent architecture, abundant exhibitions, advanced technology and complete functions, the large and modern Capital Museum, makes contribution to the city winning its titles as "famous historical and cultural city", "cultural center" and the "international metropolis" of Beijing and ranks among the first class museums both in China and internationally. Routes:
Subway: Muxidi Station, Line 1 Buses:No. 1, No. 4, No. 52 and No. 37 to the stop “Gonghuidalou” (Labor Union Building)
No. 937, No. 727, No. 717, No. 650, No. 708, No. 26, No. 319 to the stop Baiyun Rd. Number for telephone reservation: 63370491 63370492 Admission:Free

National Museum of China - located on the east side of Tian'an Men Square in Beijing. It is the largest comprehensive history museum in China. Opening Hours: 9am-4:30pm Admission: 30 CNY

Beijing Folk Arts Museum - first built in Yuan dynasty, a magnificent palace and national cultural heritage, formly used for regional celebration and sacrifice activities. Location: No. 141, Chao Yang Men Wai St., Chaoyang District Admission: 10 CNY

Beijing Geography

Beijing Municipality is located between 116-20' east longitude and 39-56' north latitude, with Tianjin City on its eastern border and Hebei Province on the other three sides. Beijing occupies a total area of 16,807.8 square kilometers. Around 10,417.5 square kilometers are mountainous areas, which constitute 62 percent of the total space of Beijing . Hills dominate the north, northwest and west of the northwestern part of the municipality. The municipality, especially Yanqing County and Huairou District, are dominated by the Jundu Mountains, while the western part of the municipality is framed by the Xishan Mountains. Mount Dongling in the Xishan ranges and on the border with Hebei is the municipality's highest point, with an altitude of 2303 m. The plain area of Beijing covers 6,390.3 square kilometers, which accounts for 38 percent of the city's total area.

Beijing municipal district is formed by the alluvial plain between the YongDing River and the ChaoBai River. This makes Beijing's geography similar to the ancient city of Mesopotamia in the middle east.The Yonging River runs down from the TaiHang Mountains, carrying with it gravel and boulders, sometimes as big as beer barrels. Because of its heavy silt and turbulent torrent during the high water season, the river used to change its course frequently, hence its former name, WuDing River, meaning 'capricious river'. But people wished it to be permanently stable, so it was renamed the Yongding River (meaning 'settled forever' in Chinese). The river has lived up to its auspicious name only in the past few decades, thanks to the dredging and reinforcement of the embankment undertaken by the government. The Chaobai River drains the gullies of the Yanshan Mountains and flows to the east of Beijing. In the past few decades, some large dams have been built on the river to form the Miyun and Huairou Reservoirs. These provide the water for Beijing's canals and lakes as well as drinking water.

Since ancient times, openings among Beijing's northern mountain ranges were the only way for transport networks in all directios, connecting inner mongolian plateau through Ju Yong Pass in north-west and plains in north-eastern areas. West of Beijing is Energy resource base of Loess Plateau and the vast north-western virgin land. South of Beijing stretches a luxuriant plain of the Yellow River and Huai River and Sea. A minute 150 kilometers south-eastern of Beijing lies Bohai Sea; While crossing the Shan Hai Pass in the east is North-eastern area of China.

Beijing Vegetation, Flora and Climate - Geographically, the native vegetation of north China should be pine-oak mixed broad-leaved deciduous forest, especially in the lower mountains around Beijing area. However, long-term large-scale human activities — deforestation, farmland clearing, and urbanization — have altered the original vegetation as well as its character. Within the city and in outlying suburban areas, farmland, orchards, and villages have long replaced the native forest. The native plants are found in the suburbs, especially the outer suburbs. A significant number of vascular plants are found only in the remote mountainous areas of the outer suburbs. About one third of the total native flora (455 of 1,502 species) are found in these areas. In contrast, in the central city, as in most highly urbanized areas around the world, there are few native plants. ( Tree of the City: Chinese Scholartree )

Beijing Climate - Beijing has four distinctively recognizable seasons. Some people turn pale only at the mention of beijing's weather, saying what's intolerable is its sandy wind, even sometimes horrible sand storms. However, according to the theory that moderate climate nurtures people with a more delicate and beautiful look - bunches of beautiful girls could be seen who are born and grow up in here and also possess fair skins...Actually the most distinctive character of Beijing's weather is it changes so fast. It does have windless time, but couldnt last; which is just like Beijingers' temper, someone says.

Defined as "continental monsoon", Beijing has Spring and autumn the best time when temperatures range from 10-23 centigrades, mild, balmy, clear-skied, with sprouts emerging out from earth or green buts coming out a little on tree branches that please your eyesight. In autumn the city is rich in already-mature fruit for ya to taste. These are seasons which could bear you sweet memories. Summer is frequented by storms-nothing short of rain; however in winter, bones-cutting wind and dry air is going to smother one, but days expecting snow are humid, gloomy, and quietly beautiful.

Wanna know more bout nature of Beijing, suggested visits are:

Beijing Natural History Museum-The Beijing Natural History Museum is the largest natural history museum in China. Its spacious galleries contain some fine specimens of fossils including various invertebrates, mammals, early humans, reptiles, dinosaur skeletons and eggs excavated in China. It also contains a large collection of minerals, as well as a fantastic display of naturally carved and polished stones used in the traditional Chinese art of miniature rockery. Address: 126, Tianqiao, Chongwen District Admission: 30 CNY Opening Hours: 8am-5pm Bus:102, 105, 110, 120, 54, 20, 17, 2, 6, 25, 45 and 59, get off at Tianqiao Station

Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology - The paleoanthrological study mainly deals with origin and evolutionary history of fossil human and Paleolithic archeology. Paleozoological Museum of China - Over 800 exhibits are on display, covering a great variety of fossils -- fishes and amphibians (first floor), reptiles and birds (second floor), and mammals (third floor) -- spanning from 400 million years ago to the dawn of man. Address: 142 Xizhimenwai Dajie, opposite Beijing Zoo, to the west of Beijing Planetarium Admission: CNY 20 Opening Hours: 9am-4:30pm Tue-Sun Route: Subway to Xizhimen, and Bus No. 27, 714, 716, 808, 902, 347, 601 or trolley 105, 107, 111, 104, 106 to get off at Beijing Zoo or Baishiqiao.

Beijing Zoo - situated to the west of Beijing Exhibition Center, housing over 7,000 creatures of 600 different species, including the giant panda, red-crowned crane and Pere David's deer-all unique to China-as well as the African giraffe, rhinoceros, chimpanzee and antelope from American continent; wild ox from Europe; and elephant and gibbon from India. Admisson:CNY 15(extra ticket needed for panda garden) Opending hours: 7am-6pm Route: Bus No.s 7, 27, 103, 105 and 111

Beijing Wildlife Park - situated 35 miles from the city center by the side of the newly-built Beijing Kaifeng highway, The animal show includes the elephants, golden monkeys, and various birds. Admission: 80CNY Opening: 8:30am-5pm Location: Donghulin, Daxing Yufa, Daxing District

Beijing Aquarium- The stellar Beijing Aquarium is a worthwhile diversion in the northeastern corner of the Beijing Zoo. Itis an imaginative Amazon rainforest (complete with piranha), coral reefs, a shark aquarium (where you can dive with the flesh eaters), and a marine mammal pavilion. The last hosts lively aquatic animal displays. The ticket price to the aquarium includes entry to the zoo; you can buy this ticket at the zoo entrance. (excerpted from Lonely Planet review)

Beijing Botanical Garden - is a beautiful large park close to XiangShan Park at the foot of the Western Fragrant Hills. Just 15km from central Beijing, it boasts some 3,000 different plant species, and many famous and rare plant specimens. Address: Wo Fo Si Road, Xiangshan Admission: CNY 5 Opening hours: 8am-6pm Route: Bus No. 331, 904, 737, 714, 833, 733, 318, 360, mini-23, mini-66. There are two main visitor entrances on Xiangshan Nanlu and Xiangyi Lu

Beijing's Natrual Wonder: Beijing Stone Flower Cave - a national famous scenic spot and geological park noted for the unique Karst cave sightseeing. Located in Fangshan district, Beijing, 50km away from downtown. It was first discovered in 1446, Ming Dynasty by a Buddhist monk. More sightspots in Beijing >>

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