City Info
China | Beijing
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City | Internship | Language course | Accommodation
Beijing (formerly Peking, 北京 in Chinese) is the capital of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and is one of the country’s four municipalities. With a population of over 11 million people, it is the second largest city after Shanghai, and is China’s political, cultural and educational centre, as well as its major transportation hub. The climate is of the continental monsoon type, characterised by hot, humid summers and cold, windy, dry winters. Most rainfall occurs in the months of July and August. Local inhabitants speak the Beijing dialect which forms the basis for Standard Mandarin, spoken in mainland China, Taiwan and Singapore.
Thanks to a rich history spanning over 3000 years and its status as China’s capital for over six centuries, Beijing is a truly unique travel destination. There are few places on Earth that possess a similar array of sights and buildings with such historical significance, and so many UNESCO World Heritage Sites.Tiananmen (Gate of Heavenly Peace) and Tiananmen Square are the PRC’s most well-known landmarks and lie at the heart of the city. Originally built in 1420, the gate has been destroyed and rebuilt several times and is a significant national symbol due to being the setting for many key historical events. It forms the front entrance to the Forbidden City, the 15th century imperial palace and former home to the Emperor and Chinese government for almost five centuries. Its 908 amazing buildings and numerous beautiful gardens are classed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and it now houses the Palace Museum, exhibiting a huge collection of art and artefacts from the Ming and Qing dynasties.
Beijing is a city full of hidden treasures, glorious buildings and a wealth of history – all waiting to be explored during your stay. There are innumerable ancient temples, well-preserved pagodas and delightful public parks, which all offer the perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of urban life. The small siheyuans (courtyard houses) and hutongs (alleyways) that connect Beijing’s old city are also important sights – the alleys are so small that often only a few people can pass through at a time. This style is rapidly disappearing to be replaced by modern apartments, although some were recently restored or preserved for the 2008 Olympic Games that were held in the city. Beijing also has over one hundred museums, a renowned national opera and a new thriving nightlife, popular with younger Beijing inhabitants. In regard to cuisine, the city offers all types of Chinese dishes – from the famous Peking duck to the traditional pancake-like snack of Fuling Jiabing, and Cantonese and Sichuan specialities from the south of the country.
The urban area of Beijing has expanded greatly over the last few years and has experienced a huge economic boom. Service industries form the basis of the city’s economy, with finance, real estate and automobile sectors among the most important. This century has marked a huge growth in contemporary architecture, which principally serves to house the city’s commercial industries, located in the Beijing Central Business District and Financial Street. Major retail districts have developed in Wangfujing and Xidan and offer a shopping paradise where you can find traditional Chinese goods such as tea, porcelain, arts and crafts alongside western fashion made from the finest silk. Furthermore, Zhongguancun is a major centre in electronics, computing and pharmaceutical research and there are various business and technology parks located around the urban area.
As you can see there are many opportunities for internships-4U to arrange an internship for you in Beijing.
