Beijing is the political,commercial and cultural center of the most highly populated country in the world.Together with Shanghai and Tianjin,it is the third centrally administered municipality and the east of the central government.Party conventions take place here.The National People's Congress holds its sessions and the highest public authorities and ministries have their seat here.The fate of more than one billion people is determined in Beijing.As in a microcosm,this city represents the heritage of traditional China and the achievements of modern China.It would take several weeks to become acquainted with all the places of interest and the art treasures.The outstanding artistic skill of the Chinese architects,craftsmen and artists who have createed the image of the city since the Jin and Yuan eras,will fill the Western visitor with amazement and enthusiasm.
Beijing is visited by millions of guests from China and abroad every year.The city offers a bit of everything,no matter what line of interest the tourist chooses to follow.The most important sights are in the quarter around Tianamen Square with more recent buildings to the east ,south and west and the Imperial Palace to the north.Visitors on a short trip should also visit the Summer Palace,YiheYuan.Equally attractive are the temple complexes,as for example the lama temple or the complexes in Xishan,the Western Hills.A must in every program is a trip to the Great Wall.