Beijing is the capital of the People’s Republic of China. It is not only the nation’s political center, but also its cultural, scientific and educational heart as well as a key transportation hub. Beijing has served as a capital of the country for more than 800 years. The city has many places of historic interest and scenic beauty, including the Forbidden City – the largest and best-preserved ancient architectural complex in the world; the Temple of Heaven – where Ming and Qing emperors performed solemn rituals for bountiful harvests; the Summer Palace – the emperors’ magnificent garden retreat; and the world-renowned and genuinely inspiring Badaling section of the Great Wall.

Large-scale construction has brought great changes to Beijing since the founding of the People’s Republic of China in 1949 and added more and more new attractions to the mysterious old city. The unique combination of 3,000 years of history and its immense cultural depth, as well as spectacular social and economic transformations within the last decades which have generated ultra-modern infrastructure and facilities, make Beijing an ideal location for international events.