Beijing 2008

Beijing, located in northern China, is the second largest city in China, next to Shanghai, and the capital of the People’s Republic of China. Beijing is a major hub for transportation, which makes it even more important in the overall economics of the country. It is also the point to which many international flights arrive and depart.

Beijing is considered the political, cultural, and educational centre of China. Beijing, as one of the four great ancient capitals of China, will have an important place in history again when it hosts the 2008 Summer Olympic Games.

Getting To Beijing 2008

Going to Beijing 2008 is something that will take a lot of planning. If you are arriving in Beijing for the Summer Olympic Games, it is advised to make reservations as soon as possible. If you are simply traveling to Beijing for business or for pleasure, it is much easier to arrange. Most international flights to China will arrive at the Beijing Capital International Airport. In fact, flights to Shanghai, China, often arrive first in Beijing, and flights from London to Hong Kong are often routed through the Beijing Airport. When taking China holidays for whatever reason, flying into Beijing is often the best bet. Flights from the UK to Beijing arrive at least twice a day, and the number of flights will increase as the Summer Olympics Games 2008 approach.

The Beijing airport is located near Shunyi, about 20 km northeast of Beijing. Most of the flights within China, and the majority of the cheap flights, will arrive and depart from the Beijing Capital International Airport, the main hub for Air China.

One can get from the Beijing airport to the city centre by taking the Airport Expressway. This is about a 40-minute drive depending upon the traffic, and another expressway will be completed before the Beijing 2008 Summer Games. There will also be a light rail system that will transport people from the airport to the city centre.

Where To Stay in Beijing 2008

Finding a place to stay in Beijing during normal times is usually quite easy. If a person arrives in Beijing for business or for holiday, there are many hotels from which to choose. This was not always the case, as Beijing had almost no hotels in the early development of China, which was due to social as well as economic conditions. However, the years since have seen a great increase in the number and quality of hotels.
There are currently many hotels to choose from in Beijing including Best Western, Hilton, and several other international hotel chains. These hotels cater to business travelers as well as holiday goers. From the airport, one can find transportation directly to these hotels, and other information on the hotels, such as their location, pricing, and room availability, is also available.

Shopping and Eating in Beijing 2008

When one is in Beijing for business, finding places to shop and eat might not be at the top of the list of things to do. However, during a down time, or during a holiday, one can find many places within the city centre to do some shopping and dining. The Central Business District, which is centered in the Guomao area, is the best place to find local shopping. This is an area that also has high-end housing, as well as many corporate regional and national headquarters.

Also, in this area, one can find many interesting restaurants in which to eat, where the main crops of the Beijing area are used in the local cuisine. This includes many dishes made with wheat, maize, and vegetables which are grown close to the city in order to supply the city with food.

Sights to See In Beijing 2008

When one is in Beijing for any reason, you might want to take some time to see several local sights. Even a business traveler should take a few hours and see one of the most important tourist attractions in all of China, the main entrance to the Forbidden City. Other interesting sights are the Badaling section of the Great Wall of China, the Summer Palace, and the Temple of Heaven.

Beijing 2008 Olympics

Beijing will have another claim to fame when the 2008 Summer Olympic games are held in this city from August 8th, 2008, to August 24th, 2008. Most of the events will be held within Beijing at the Beijing National Stadium; however, some events will be held in other cities in China.

The awarding of the Olympics to Beijing 2008 marked a real turning point in history. The Chinese government sees these games as the chance for the country, as well as for Beijing, to highlight its rise into a World Power. If one hopes to travel to Beijing for these games, it is a good idea to make arrangements for travel well in advance.