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What is the English translation of Beijing?

Northern Capital. "Bei" translates as "north" or "northern" and "jing" as capital. Nanjing means Southern Capital.

Beijing became capital of China during which dynasty?

Ming. The city was originally built by the Mongol invaders and known as Khanbaluk and was the Chinese capital under the Yuan dynasty. However, the capital was later moved away and it was the Yongle Emperor of the Ming dynasty who restored the city's status as capital in the fifteenth century and gave it the name Beijing.

The palace of the Chinese emperors in Beijing was known by what name?

The Forbidden City. The Forbidden City was the home of the Ming and Qing emperors from the beginning of the fifteenth century until the last emperor, Pu Yi, was expelled in 1924. It has 9,999 rooms, one less than Heaven. Today it is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the world, attracting millions of visitors a year.

Between 1928 and 1949 Beijing was known as Peiping. Where was the capital at this time?

Nanjing. The Kuomintang government under Chiang Kai-Shek moved the capital to Nanjing in 1928 as a result of civil upheaval within China. When the communists under Chairman Mao took over the government of mainland China in 1949 they moved the capital back to Beijing and restored its former name.

Where would you find the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests and the Imperial Vault of Heaven?

Temple of Heaven. Once a year the Chinese emperor, in his capacity as the Son of Heaven, would come here to pray for good harvests. The northern end of the Temple grounds is round and the southern end square to reflect the traditional Chinese belief that Earth was square and Heaven was round.

Tiananmen sits at the north end of the square of the same name. Now mounted with a large portrait of Chairman Mao, what does Tiananmen mean?

Gate of Heavenly Peace. The Tiananmen is the main gate into the Forbidden City. The name can also be translated as "Gate Ensuring The Imperial Status Quo". It was from the Tiananmen in 1949 that Mao proclaimed the People's Republic of China. Tiananmen Square is the largest city square in the world and the location of Chairman Mao's mausoleum. Tiananmen Square was also the setting for pro-democracy demonstrations in 1989 which were brutally crushed by the Chinese governement.

One of the attractions of the Summer Palace is a large boat made out of what substance?

Marble. The Summer palace was constructed as a retreat for the imperial family. The powerful Dowager-Empress Cixi used monies originally set aside for the Chinese navy for the construction of the magnificent marble boat on the Kunming Lake. It was built as a folly and does not actually float.

What is a hutong?

A street or alleyway. Hutongs are traditional, narrow Chinese streets. Many of them and the buildings lining them are being cleared away to make room for the many glass and concrete skyscrapers springing up all over Beijing.

Which river flows through Beijing?

Hai He. The Hai He flows into the Bo Hai Gulf, an extension of the Yellow Sea.

Although it is the Chinese capital, Beijing is not China's largest city. Which Chinese city outstrips Beijing in terms of population?

Shanghai. Beijing's population in 2003 was a mere 14.5 million to Shanghai's 17.1 million.