Beining, China
Region: Hebei
Geographic Coordinates: 41.596100, 121.793000
Temperature Range: -40.0°C to 35.0°C (-40°F to 95°F)
Climate: Cold and dry winters, hot and humid summers, with spring and autumn being transitional seasons.
Population: 514898
Language: Mandarin
Beining, Also known as Benxi, Is a city located in the Liaoning Province of China. It has a population of approximately 1.5 million people and covers an area of 8, 000 square kilometers. The city is surrounded by mountains on three sides and has a rich history dating back to the Qing Dynasty. Today, Beining remains an industrial hub with significant production in steel, Cement, Chemicals, And machinery. Its economy has been growing rapidly due to its strategic location near major transportation routes including railways and highways.
One of Beining’s most popular tourist attractions is the Benxi Water Caves Scenic Area which features underground rivers and waterfalls that flow through limestone caves. Visitors can take boat rides through the caves or explore on foot while admiring stalactites and stalagmites that have formed over thousands of years. Another must-see destination in Beining is Guanmenshan National Forest Park which offers scenic hiking trails with stunning views of Mount Qianshan standing at over 700 meters tall.
For those interested in learning about local culture and history, Beining Museum provides exhibitions on ancient artifacts from various dynasties as well as displays showcasing local customs such as traditional costumes worn during festivals. Food enthusiasts will enjoy sampling regional specialties such as Benxi Big Plate Chicken served with potatoes cooked in a spicy sauce or Benxi Noodles made from hand-pulled noodles served with meat or vegetables.
Overall, Beining offers visitors a unique blend of natural beauty combined with industrial heritage making it an intriguing destination for anyone looking to explore Northeast China beyond its major cities like Beijing or Shanghai.
Important Landmarks
- The Great Wall of China
- The Forbidden City
- Tiananmen Square
- Temple of Heaven
- Summer Palace
- National Museum of China
- Beijing Zoo and Aquarium
- Ming Tombs
- Lama Temple (Yonghe Temple)
- Beihai Park
Primary Industries
- Information Technology: Beijing is home to some of the largest technology companies in China, such as Baidu, Tencent, and Xiaomi.
- Finance: Beijing is also a financial center in China with many banks, investment firms, and insurance companies headquartered there.
- Automotive: Many automotive companies have factories or research centers in Beijing including BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Hyundai Motor Company and Volkswagen Group China.
- Aerospace: The aerospace industry is growing rapidly in Beijing with the presence of Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) among others.
- Tourism: As the capital city of China, tourism is an important industry for Beijing with attractions such as the Great Wall of China and Tiananmen Square drawing millions of visitors each year.
- Education: With over 100 universities located within its borders including Peking University and Tsinghua University among others; education plays a significant role in shaping the economy of Beining.
- Healthcare: The healthcare sector has been expanding rapidly due to increasing demand from an aging population which has resulted in several hospitals being built across Beining city over recent years.
- Real Estate & Construction – With rapid urbanization driving up demand for housing units; real estate development has become one of the most lucrative sectors within Beining’s economy while construction continues to boom across various parts like Haidian District etc.
Noteable History
- The founding of Beijing: Emperor Wu founded Beijing in 1045 BC according to historical records.
- The construction of the Great Wall: Built during various dynasties including Qin, Han, Sui and Ming to protect China from invaders.
- The Forbidden City: A palace for emperors built during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) that served as their residence for over 500 years.
- Tiananmen Square protests: In 1989, student-led protests calling for democracy were violently suppressed by government forces resulting in hundreds of deaths.
- Mao Zedong: One of China’s most famous leaders who led the country through revolution and into communism.
- Confucius: A famous Chinese philosopher whose teachings have influenced Chinese culture and society for centuries.
- Empress Dowager Cixi: One of China’s most powerful women who ruled behind-the-scenes during the late Qing Dynasty (1644-1912).
- Peking Man: Fossils discovered near Beijing believed to be over half a million years old representing an early human ancestor.
- Summer Palace: A UNESCO World Heritage Site located on Kunming Lake that served as a royal garden during various dynasties including Qing (1644-1912).
- Lao She: A famous writer known for his works depicting life in old Beijing such as Rickshaw Boy and Teahouse.
Museums and Things To See
- The Forbidden City
- The Great Wall of China
- Temple of Heaven
- Summer Palace
- National Museum of China
- 798 Art District
- Beijing Capital Museum
- Lama Temple
- Tiananmen Square
- Ming Tombs
Sports Teams
- Beijing Guoan F.C. is a professional football club that competes in the Chinese Super League and was founded in 1951. They have won the league title once in 2009 and several domestic cups.
- The Beijing Ducks are a professional basketball team that plays in the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) and were founded in 1995. They have won three CBA championships.
- The Beijing Shougang Eagles is a professional women’s volleyball team that competes in the Chinese Volleyball League (CVL). They were founded in 1951 and have won numerous CVL titles, as well as international tournaments.
- The Beijing Lions are a professional ice hockey team that plays in the China Ice Hockey League (CIHL). Founded in 2015, they have quickly become one of the top teams, winning two CIHL championships.
- The Beikong Fly Dragons are a professional basketball team based out of suburban Beijing that plays in the CBA and were founded as part of an expansion of the league in 2017.
- While not based solely out of Beijing, many members of China’s national football team come from or play for teams based out of the city. Despite limited success on an international level, it remains hugely popular within China itself.
Cultural Events
- Chinese New Year is the largest festival in Beijing and is celebrated with great enthusiasm throughout the city.
- The Lantern Festival, which occurs on the 15th day of the first lunar month, marks the end of Chinese New Year festivities.
- The Mid-Autumn Festival takes place on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month and is a time for family reunions, mooncakes, and lanterns.
- On the fifth day of the fifth lunar month, people celebrate Dragon Boat Festival with dragon boat races, eating zongzi (sticky rice dumplings), and drinking realgar wine.
- The International Beer Festival happens annually in August and showcases beer from both China and international brands.
- Filmmakers from around China and abroad come to showcase their work in various categories at Beijing International Film Festival every year.
- From October 1st to 7th each year, National Day Golden Week brings fireworks displays, parades, cultural events across Beijing to celebrate National Day.
- In February 2022, Beijing will host its second Olympic Games featuring winter sports competitions such as skiing, skating ice hockey etc.
Cuisine
- Peking Duck:
- Quanjude Roast Duck Restaurant
- Da Dong Roast Duck Restaurant
- Hot Pot:
- Haidilao Hot Pot
- Xiaolongkan Hot Pot
- Dumplings:
- Din Tai Fung
- Baoyuan Jiaozi Wu
- Noodles:
- Daoxiangcun Fried Noodles
- Lanzhou Lamian
- Zhajiangmian (noodles with soybean paste):
- Zhang Mama Zhajiangmian
- Yonghe Dawang Zhajiangmian
- Beijing-style snacks:
- Wangfujing Snack Street
- Qianmen Snack Street
Additionally, there are many other types of cuisine available in Beijing such as Sichuanese food, Cantonese food and Shandong cuisine to name a few.
Parks and Recreation
- Beihai Park: A vast imperial garden, featuring a serene lake, stunning temples, and beautiful pavilions.
- Jingshan Park: A hilltop park that offers breathtaking panoramic views of the city and the Forbidden City.
- Chaoyang Park: An expansive urban park with charming lakes, picturesque gardens, and top-notch sports facilities.
- Temple of Heaven Park: A UNESCO World Heritage Site that boasts ancient temples and gorgeous gardens.
- Summer Palace: An imperial garden brimming with magnificent palaces, delightful pavilions, and a serene lake.
- Fragrant Hills Park: A mountainous park that features scenic hiking trails, alluring temples, and mesmerizing views.
- National Stadium (Bird’s Nest): An iconic stadium that hosted the 2008 Olympic Games; now open for tours to visitors from around the world!
- National Aquatics Center (Water Cube): Another Olympic venue transformed into a water park for recreational use; perfect for families!
- Beijing Zoo: Home to over 450 species of animals including giant pandas, majestic tigers, gentle elephants – an animal lover’s paradise!
- Houhai Lake Area: A popular area where you can enjoy boating on the lake or stroll around traditional hutongs (alleyways) nearby – an ideal way to experience local culture!