The capital of China for most of the past seven centuries, Beijing lies at the heart of a nation of more than a billion people. A wealth of historical monuments bear witness to the city's fabulous past--the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, the Temple of Heaven, the Ming Tombs. But there is also much that is new to intrigue the visitor. No city reflects more clearly China's continuing struggle to balance its historical legacy with the challenges of opening to the outside world. This guide to Beijing provides up-to-date information on the many new shops and restaurants, together with essential practical information for the individual visitor. An overview of the city's extraordinary history provides a key to understanding some of the complexities of this impressive capital. * History of Beijing and general chronology of periods in Chinese history * Excellent color photography and illustrations * In-depth surveys of sights in Beijing and the surrounding districts * Informative section on museums * Includes a recommended reading list * Special topics include Beijing nightilfe, 'Beijing' versus 'Peking' * Guide to pronouncing Chinese names * Excerpts from literature about Beijing, including Marco Polo on the Great Khan at his table Read Less