The Forbidden City acts like a bull's-eye, surrounded by a network of roads, including five ring roads which cup the city centre in concentric circles. Roughly within the Second Ring Rd are the four central districts: Xicheng, Dongcheng, Chongwen and Xuanwu. Outside the Second Ring Rd are the so-called 'suburban' (now urbanised) districts of Chaoyang (east), Fengtai (southwest) and Haidian (northwest).

Then there are the 'villages' (li). Beijing was once surrounded by many tiny villages, though over time these have in fact become neighbourhoods within the megalopolis. Population in Beijing is about 12 million.

The climate in Beijing is of the continental type, the four seasons are distinct. It is dry, windy and sandy in spring and hot and rainy in summer. Autumn is the best season in a year when the sky is blue; the air is crisp, mild and humid. However, winter is cold and dry with little snow. The average temperature throughout a year is 11.7. The average temperatures of the hottest month, July and the coldest month January range from 27 and -4.6 Beijing had been the capital of four dynasties before the founding of PRC. Its great Wall, Forbidden City, splendid palaces, old temples, beautiful gardens, and a lot of exhibitions and museums show its glorious history and civilization.

Beijing Cuisine mainly refers to Beijing local cuisine that is attributable to Shandong Cuisine, Imperial Court Cuisine, Imperial Official Cuisine, Ugyur Cuisine with beef and mutton as the main materials and other cuisines from different regions. Among them, Beijing Roast Duck, Hotpot and Barbecue are most famous.

If you miss the food of your own country, don't worry, there are many restaurants providing Foreign Dishes.