About Beijing

History

    Beijing in Chinese means "Capital in the North". Its establishment could be traced back to more than 3000 years ago. From 1272 to 1911, Beijing was the capital of Yuan, Ming and Qing Dynasties. After the People's Republic of China was founded in 1949, Beijing is the capital of new China.

Geography

    Beijing is located at 115º20´to 117º32´east longitude and 39º23´to 41º05´north altitude, the same altitude as Rome, Madrid and Philadelphia. Its neighbors are Hebei Province and Tianjin City. Its total land area is 16,808 squre kilometers, among which the mountain areas account for 52% and are distributed in its western, northern and northeastern parts, and the plain accounts for 38% and is distributed in its southern and southeastern parts.

Climate

    Beijing is located in the temperate zone affected by continental monsoon. The spring and autumn in Beijing are shorter and dry while the summer and winter are relatively longer. March is the transition from winter to spring. The temperature of March is around 10ºC, sometimes the temperature goes down abruptly due to the cold air coming from western Siberia. So it is recommended that you should be properly clothed while going outdoors.

Etiquette and Custom

    The Chinese people like their traditions, respect the old people and care about the family hierarchy.

    The family name of the Chinese people is put before their given name, which is just opposite to the name of most of Westerners.

    The Chinese like nodding or bowing slightly for greeting while meeting, and shake hands in formal occasions and say "how do you do". The Chinese people are not used to hug with a person with whom they are not deeply familiar or the other sex.

    The Chinese people are hospitable. Entertaining the guests with a cigarette or wine is an indication of hospitality to the guests. The Chinese people feel comfortable if the guests refuse such entertainment politely since the Chinese people have the custom that a host does everything for the convenience of a guest.

    There is no tipping in China, but if you are satisfied with the service you received, you can tip to show your thanks.