TRAVEL - BEIJING

Beijing, the capital of the People's Republic of China has a long history dated back over 3,000 years. Beijing would remain as China's capital, serving as the seat of power for the Ming dynasty (1421–1644), the Manchu-led Qing dynasty (1644–1912), the early Republic of China (1912–1928) and now the People's Republic of China (1949–present).

Beijing is the nations' second-largest city after Shanghai.  Beijing has a Monsoon -influenced continental climate with hot, humid summers and cold, dry winters. The Best to visit is in September and October, during the Golden Autumn.

Beijing has a population of greater than 20 million people (as of 2012), with a substantial percentage being migrants, living on 16,800 km² distributed in 18 districts. The city borders Hebei Province (where much of the pollution which plagues Beijing originates from) to the north, west and south, and Tianjin to the east.

LANDMARKS

TIANANMEN SQUARE

The world's largest public square located in Dongcheng District is a must see for all visitors to Beijing. Surrounded by the grand building including the Great Hall of the People, the Museum of Chinese History, the Museum of the Chinese Revolution, the Qianmen Gate and the Forbidden City. It is also home to the Chairman Mao Memorial Hall and the Monument to the People's Martyrs and was also the site of the infamous massacre of student activists by the Peoples Liberation Army in 1989.

Tian'an Men (The Gate of Heavenly peace) is the main entrance of the Imperial city in both Ming and Qing Dynasty. 

FORBIDDEN CITY

The Forbidden City  (Chinese name 'Gugong meaning 'Former Palace') in the Dongcheng District was home to Imperial Court during the Ming and Qing Dynasty (1368 - 1912) now houses the Palace Museum. The English name "Forbidden City" is a translation of the Chinese name Zijincheng meaning "Purple Forbidden City". 

In ancient times, the emperor was said to be a son of Heaven, and therefore Heaven's supreme power was bestowed upon him. The emperors' residence was built leading north, as an earthly foil to the heavenly Purple Palace, i.e. the North Star, though to be home to the Celestial Emperor.

Considered a divine place, it was certainly forbidden to ordinary people and that is why the Forbidden City is so named.

The Forbidden City was constructed from 1406 to 1420, on the orders of Zhu Di, Ming Dynasty Emperor Yong Le (reign 1402-1424), the 3rd emperor of Ming Dynasty. It took 14 years to build and was build by over 1,000,000 workers, including more than 100,00 craftsmen. It was the Imperial Palace for China for 492 years (1420 - 1912) and was the home of 24 emperors - 14 of the Ming Dynasty and 10 of the Qing Dynasty. 

The Forbidden City is the world's largest imperial palace, over 3 times larger than the Louvre Palace in France. 

The city consist of 980 buildings and covers over 180 acres. It was declared the World Heritage Site in 1987 and is listed by UNESCO as the largest collection of preserved ancient wooden structures in the world. 

The Taihe Gate is the centre gate in outer imperial city and the highest gate in Forbidden City. 

Watch Tower > there is one in each corner of the Forbidden City.

The Palace of Supreme Harmony (the Emperor's audience hall) is is built on 3 huge and beautifully carved marble terrace. 

The Palace of Heavenly Purity used to be the bedroom of the emperor in the Ming Dynasty. It became the place for the emperor to handle his political affairs, received his officials and foreign to China in the Qing Dynasty. 

The last Emperor of China, Pu Yi lived in the Forbidden City until he was expelled in 1924. After that, the Palace Museum in the Forbidden City was established and was opened to Public. 

Pu Yi 

(2 December 1908 - 12 February 1912)

TEMPLE OF HEAVEN

Located in Chongwen District, has the total area of 2,800,000 sq metres, is the symbol of Beijing. It was the Royal temple built in 1420 used by the emperors of Qing Dynasty to "worship the heaven" and "pray the harvest". 

BEIHAI PARK

First built in the 11th century during the Jin Dynasty, it has been open to public as a park since 1925. 

SUMMER PALACE

An Imperial garden in the Qing Dynasty covers and expanse of 2.9 sq.km, there are over 3,000 various Chinese ancient buildings that house a collection of over 40,000 kinds of valuable historical relics from each dynasty.

In December 1998, UNESCO included the Summer Palace on its Worlds Heritage List.

MING TOMBS

A collection of mausoleums built by the emperors of the Ming Dynasty of China, located in Changping County. After Zhu Di (Emperor Yong Le of Ming Dynasty) died, there were totally 13 emperors buried here. 

The Ming tombs were listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in August 2003. 

THE GREAT WALL OF CHINA

Refer: TRAVEL - THE GREAT WALL OF CHINA

TOP CITY UNDER THE HEAVEN

Was built in 1992 with area of 380,000 sq metre combining modern architecture and history.

NIUJIE MOSQUE

The oldest mosque in Beijing, built in 996 A.D during the Liao Dynasty and was reconstructed as well as enlarged under the Kangxi Emperor (r. 1661–1722) of the Qing Dynasty.

The mosque cover an area of approximately 10,000 sg metres, located in the Niujie area of Beijing's Xicheng District. 

The mosque, built out of timber, is home to some important cultural relics and tablets such as the upright tablet of an emperor's decree proclaimed in 1694 during the Qing Dynasty.

MADIAN MOSQUE BEIJING

Located in the west of Madian Street, Haidian District in Beijing. It was rebuilt in Kangxi Qing Dynasty (1662 - 1722), which is recorded by the tablets carved in the mosque. 

The 17-Arch Bridge the longest one across the Kunming Lake, it is 8 meters wide, 150 meters long and it has 17 arches. 

Travel and find happiness within yourself. Let us convince you. You won't be disappointed. Experience holidays in Beijing and find the best time to go and the best places to visit.

Hj. Zulheimy Bin Maamor

Lembah Keramat, KL
25 November 2021 > 20 Rabiulakhir 1443H: 6.45 pm