Beijing: from the Stone Age to modernity, a story to be admired closely
Beijing, the capital of the most populous country in the world, the capital of China. With its 21.54 million inhabitants and about three millennia of history, it’s one of the most unique cities in the world, where past and future merge into an elegant setting. Beijing is the political, cultural and commercial center of the country, the nucleus from which the propulsive drive of progress and wealth comes, an international metropolis. Source of pride for Beijing is certainly its millennial history, which dates back to the dawn of humanity.
The earliest traces of civilization date back to the Stone Age, thanks to the remains of the Man of Yuanmou, the Man of Lantian and the Homo Pekinensis, which date back respectively to 1,700,000, 800,000 and 700,000 years ago. There were also numerous dynasties of emperors, from the Qin to the Tang, from the Ming to the Qing, who helped building the foundations of a civilization, which still today jealously guards its origins and still retains its distinctive features. It can be seen in the buildings and in the main attractions of the city, which exude antiquity and transmit all the grandeur of a flourishing empire, first of all the Great Wall of China, the symbol par excellence of China. Declared by UNESCO as a world heritage site and rightly counted among the seven wonders of the world, it is an absolutely unmissable site. Built over 2000 years ago, it winds, just like a dragon in all its grandeur, for almost 22 thousand kilometers between mountains and deserts, up to the highlands of the west.
But it’s not only the Wall to be respectable, there are many attractions worthy of attention, so take notes and start planning your tour in beautiful Beijing.
From the Forbidden City to the world-famous Piazza Tienamen, it’s possible to retrace the important moments of Chinese history, on one hand the symbol of the empire, the world's oldest and best preserved building, on the other the emblem of Communism, with Mao Zetung's mausoleum, the monument to the fallen and the five doors, all strictly red vermilion. From here it’s possible to visit the Temple of Heaven, the most important of the city, where the emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties withdrew every winter solstice to make offerings and pray to Heaven for a favorable harvest. The sky, “Tian” in chinese, was the supreme deity of the traditional Chinese religion - for this reason the emperor was called "son of Heaven" - which is flanked by many other natural deities, whose temples are still open to visit, like the Temple of the Earth, to indicate the animistic origins of the traditional religion, which identifies its fulcrum in the veneration of the forces of nature, spirits and ancestors.
To make the visit of ancient Beijing even more profound and unforgettable, you can continue the ride on a rickshaw, the traditional means of transport, ideal for shelling through the hutongs, the ancient alleys that lead to the true heart of the city. The ancient houses at the court and pagodas, the wells, from which the name of hutong derives, the first quarters, the stone decorations and the gardens of almond trees in bloom are the true essence of Beijing. The visit continues among the inimitable buildings of the Imperial age, such as the Beihai Park, the Ming Dynasty Tombs, the Drum Tower, the residence of Prince Gong and the Garden of Virtue and Harmony. Not to be missed is the Summer Palace, one of the largest and oldest gardens in the world, UNESCO calls it "a Chinese masterpiece of garden design. The natural landscape of the hills and open-air waters combine with artificial features such as pavilions, halls, palaces, temples and bridges, forming a harmonious whole with exceptional aesthetic value ".
The Chinese name Yihe Yuan, Garden of the cultivation of Harmony, sums up exactly the vibrations of this magical place, where the harmony of the spirit merges with that of the gaze, totally immersed in the contemplation of a perfect union between nature and human genius. And this is exactly the leitmotiv that animates all the architecture of Beijing, which combines the love for nature, parks and their inhabitants with artistic and technological inspiration, which gives life to skyscrapers, very tall and hi -tech. And so, abandoning the rickshaw and jumping on a bicolor taxi, you can admire the amazing skyline, the crowded streets, the shops and the latest fashion, the stadium, the Water Cube, icon of the Olympic Games, and the many streets to theme, original and eclectic as the 798 Art District, a true emblem of urban style. For culture lovers, undoubtedly the Opera is an obligatory stop. Better known as the National Center for the Performing Arts or the Egg, due to its domed shape, it’s a truly unique building of its kind, which deserves a visit even from the outside.
Completely surrounded by an artificial lake, this theater has a titanium dome and glass with a high light transmission, which, seen from above, looks like a huge floating egg on the water. A masterpiece of singular architecture, an immediately recognizable emblem that finds a counterpart only in the Sydney opera house.
In Beijing there really is something for everyone. Indeed, speaking of tastes, you can not leave without having tasted the typical Peking duck, a national dish that dates back to the imperial era: a real delicacy.
Beijing is also known for its long culinary tradition and a gastronomic tour is exactly what it takes to complete this extraordinary journey to discover Beijing, which will amaze and satisfy all your senses.
