Introduction:Few cities on earth are changing as fast as Beijing, capital city of China. Construction cranes rule the horizon, new hotels, shopping malls and commercial plazas are springing up at giddying speed and old sectors of the city are being razed and modernized. In short, Beijing is focused on one thing only; the 2008 Olympics. Hosting the Games represents the ultimate statement of China's emergence as a global superpower, and it is determined to make the Olympics the most successful and dazzling ever staged.Beijing's high-speed physical evolution moves hand-in-hand with a firmly retained grip on its rich cultural heritage. A monolithic showcase city, Beijing can give a distorted view of China to foreign visitors. Its soaring modern architecture and vast international hotels are connected by an intricate system of broad boulevards and ring roads around the city. Rush hour traffic jams can match those of any major world city and the pollution can be eye-watering. Beyond the modernity, Beijing offers a bountiful hotpot of traditional lane houses (hutong), parks, architectural and cultural treasures and exquisite temples.

Industry: Beijing now boasts a great number of modern industries such as iron and steel, chemicals and petroleum, textile, as well as its traditional arts and crafts, including jade carving and cloisonn¨¦. Priority is now given to high-tech industries in line with market demand. Industry is guided by the principles of low consumption of water energy, material and land, low pollution, and development of high added value and high technology. Four key sectors are being actively fostered, information industry, bio-chemicals,and pharmaceuticals, integration of optics, machinery and electronics, and new material

Hutong of Beijing: "There are 360 hutong with names and those without names are as many as hairs on an ox". This old saying is used to describe the numberless hutong in Beijing. The saying is somewhat exaggerated, but it reflects the fact that Beijing's hutong are numerous and scattered everywhere. According to historical records, there were altogether 413 hutong and alleys in Beijing in the Yuan Dynasty. The number increased to 1,170 in the Ming, 2,077 in the Qing Dynasty and 6,104 in the mid-1980s.If all the hutong were arranged in a line, they would form a new "Great Wall".

Beijing Features:Beijing Opera, Beijing Duck, Beijing Tea House.

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