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Your photographic guide to the World - Pictures of Beijing © 2009 - www.snapi.org - All rights reserved Photos & Graphics properties of Guillaume Sébire
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Beijing (Chinese: 北京; pinyin: Běijīng) formerly known as Peking is the capital of the People's Republic of China. It is one of the Four Great Ancient Capitals of China. Beijing is recognized as the political, educational, and cultural center of China, while Shanghai and Hong Kong predominate in economic fields.
"One of the world's great cities” the city has been an integral part of China’s history for centuries, and there is scarcely a major building of any age in Beijing that does not have at least some national historical significance. Beijing is renowned for its opulent palaces, temples, and huge stone walls and gates. Its art treasures and universities have long made the city a centre of culture and art in China. - Wikipedia
Beijing is a rapidly changing town, regrettably turning its back to much of its architectural and historical heritage. Hutongs in particular have quickly disappeared in name of the country’s modernization. Luckily however a few remain standing, hopefully preserved, that display an authentic, anachronistic and very charming Beijing.
Altogether Beijing is a dazzling city, like no other. It combines in a rather flagrant clash a centuries’ old heritage with ambitious aspirations of modernity. It appears a bit like a teenager who’s grown too fast, feeling somewhat out of place. Yet, without doubt one day Beijing will harmoniously bridge its grandiose Past and the 21st century.
You will find in this gallery pictures of Beijing: The Forbidden City, the Summer Palace, the hutongs, Tiananmen, Wangfujing Dajie, the Temple of Heaven, etc. You will also find pictures of the Fahua Buddhist Temple (the seven pagodas). |
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Hutong |
