China’s Imperial past. The city’s reputation as the spiritual and political heart of the nation remains unassailable. Today an all-pervading spirit of change fuelled hosting the 2008 Olympics has added another dimension as China embraces capitalism. The city’s alleyways, temples and palaces tell one story. Its skyline with vaulting flyovers and skyscrapers another. First impressions for most visitors on a holiday to China are of an almost inhuman vastness. The city has a stunning wealth of treasures and superb sights. But make no mistake, Beijing in no way typifies the rest of the nation.

 

 

The pull of China’s history

 

Architecture

 

Diverse entertainment