Beijing, China

Beijing (北京 Běijīng) is the capital of the most populous country in the world, the People's Republic of China, and also its second largest city afterShanghai. It was also the seat of the Ming and Qing dynasty emperors until the formation of a republic in 1911. Beijing is the political, educational and cultural centre of the country and as such it is rich in historical sites and important government and cultural institutions.

The city is well known for its flatness and regular construction. There are only three hills to be found in the city limits (in Jingshan Park to the north of the famous Forbidden City). Like the configuration of the Forbidden City, Beijing has concentric "ring roads", which are actually rectangular, that go around the metropolis.

                                          Beijing was host to the 2008 Summer Olympic Games.

History

Beijing literally means Northern Capital, a role it has played many times in China's long history. Beijing's history dates back several thousand years but it first became notable in Chinese history after it was made the capital of the State of Yan under the name Yanjing. Yan was one of the major kingdoms of the Warring States Period, some 2,000 years ago. After the fall of Yan, during the later Han and Tang dynasties, the Beijing-area was a major prefecture of northern China.

In 938, Beijing was conquered by the Khitans and declared the capital of the Liao Dynasty. The Mongols seized the city in 1215. From 1264 Beijing served as the capital of a united China under Kublai Khan. His victorious Mongol forces renamed the city, Great Capital (大都). From there, Kublai and his decedents ruled their empire from a northern location closer to the Mongol homelands. During this period, the walled city was enlarged and many palaces and temples were built.

After the fall of the Mongol-founded Yuan dynasty in 1368, the capital was initially moved to Nanjing. However, in 1403 the 3rd Ming emperor, Zhu Di, also known as Emperor Yongle, moved it back to Beijing and gave the city its present name. The Ming period was Beijing's golden era. The Forbidden City, the Temple of Heaven and many other Beijing landmarks were built in this period. The capital developed into a huge city becoming the religious and cultural center of Asia.

In 1644, the Manchus overthrew the declining Ming dynasty and established China's last imperial line -
the Qing. Despite the changing political climate, Beijing remained the capital. The Manchu imperial family moved into the Forbidden City and remained there until 1911. The Qing built both the Summer Palace and Old Summer Palace. These served as summer retreats for the emperors and their entourages. During the 19th century, Western countries established foreign legations in the Qianmen area south of the Forbidden City. These came under siege during the Boxer Rebellion in 1900.

The Qing dynasty fell in 1911. In the chaotic first years of Republican China, Beijing was beset by fighting warlords. Following the Northern Expedition, the Kuomintang moved the capital to Nanjing in 1928, and renamed Beijing as Beiping ("Northern Peace") to emphasize that it was no longer a capital. Beijing remained a center for education and culture throughout the Republican Era. When the Kuomintang was defeated by the Communists in 1949, the new government proclaimed a People's Republic with its capital at Beijing.

Recommended reading includes Peking - A Historical and Intimate Description of Its Chief Places of Interest, by Juliet Bredon

About Hotel

N.E.Hotel Beijing

per night

The N.E.Hotel Beijing provides its guests with a central Beijing hotel, situated within walking distance of some of China’s most renowned attractions, including Tiananmen Square and the National Museum of China. All of its guestrooms feature warm Chinese decor and include cable TV and air conditioning. The onsite N.E. Coffee bar serves a range of hot and cold beverages, while guests in search of recreation can make full use of the health spa and its therapeutic massage options. Business travellers can use the modern meeting rooms, or enjoy the in-room wi-fi Internet access.

All rooms

Air conditioning

Broadband Internet access

Cable/satellite television

Coffee/tea maker

Hair dryer

Hot and cold shower

In-room safe

Iron and ironing board

Magnifying make-up mirror

Telephone

Location : Dongcheng    Rooms : 28

 N.E.Hotel BeijingNo.10 YueyaHutong, Dongsiliutiao, Dongcheng District, Beijing, China

  Hotel rates are exclusive of hotel tax and services 

Hotel Rates are per room, per night 

Triple/Quad occupancy may include an extra bed for some room types.