BEIJING: THE ANCIENT AND MODERN CAPITAL OF CHINA

By: Mark Cua

Beijing was the Capital of China since early Yuan Dynasty. Constructed by the Ming Dynasty founder in the 14th century and later became the capital of the two dynasties. This place was also called the Home of the Emperor and his concubines. During the time of the New China, it was here that Chairman Mao declared that 'NEW CHINA IS ALREADY ESTABLISHED'.

January is the month when Beijing is still in midwinter. The weather reaches below 5 degrees Celcius. The people had their own dialect but had their national language which is Mandarin. The city was made up of the new district and the old district.The flight from Manila would take six hours with a stop over in Xiamen via China Southern airlines. 

The first day landing in the airport would amaze you of the might and wealth of the Chinese government. The airport is well guarded by the People's Armed police. They are ready to act anytime there is danger lurking the airport. As you go out the airport, you will notice the size of Beijing. It takes at least 1 hour of land travel to reach the city proper. Mostly modern buildings constructed by the Chinese government. 

As Confucuis would say 'to learn the new and review the old thus is the way of the gentlemen.'

 Beijing nowadays had some modern touch. It have restaurants, cafes, and luxurious hotels. The streets of Beijing are wide and mostly centuries old dating back the Yuan Dynasty. The main road of Beijing is simple yet miles far.

This was designed by the Ming Dynasty emperor for easier movement of troops and defense of the Imperial Capital.

 Under the Communist government, Beijing was transformed into a modern yet with a touch of Chinese culture. They preserved the Imperial palace where the Emperors and their concubines lived for centuries.The Forbidden City is the same size as the city of Manila in the Philippines. But as you can notice they are properly arranged and well designed. Everything is in array.

That is because in ancient times Emperors are revered as the sons of the Majestic dragon who took the yellow king to the heavens. So from the places he lived, and worked must be majestic, in array, and has a meaning. Every single piece of architecture you can find in the magnificent palaces had their own symbolism related to the goodwill and longevity of the imperial family.

As you enter the forbidden city, you will see the majestic city where concubines, eunichs, and court officials once lived. The place was vast because during the time of the dynasties for one emperor there are 800 women as his concubine, 800 court officials from military, political offices, thousands of eunichs, and 80,000 armed royal guards guarding the Imperial palace. This is the reason why the place is big and vast. It can fit 500 cars for just one courtyard.

Many of these old structures inside the forbidden city became heritage sites and not for commercial use. Although with the permission of the Chinese government, some of these small housed structures are made as souvineir shops for the tourists. It was the cold winter February in the Northern Hemisphere when I arrived and visited Beijing.

Tourism is one of the Major industry in Beijing. They tour foreign tourists to historic and heritage sites and promoting the majestic beauty of the Capital.

Beijing is also the main place of the 2008 Olympics. You can see the modern architecture touched with Chinese culture and Chinese unique, creative mind on engineering, science and technology, and arts.

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