Beijing, the capital of the People's Republic of China, is a city with a long history and modern global significance. Located in northern China, it is bordered by Hebei Province and Tianjin Municipality. The city covers an area of 16,410.54 square kilometres.

As of 2024, Beijing’s population was 18,960,744, making it the second-largest city in China. The city is divided into 16 districts, including urban, suburban, and rural areas. Chaoyang District, in the eastern part of Beijing, is home to many foreign embassies and the city's Central Business District.

Beijing has been China’s political centre for centuries and served as the capital during the Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties. It is known for its historical landmarks, including the Forbidden City, the Temple of Heaven, the Summer Palace, and parts of the Great Wall. The city has seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Today, Beijing is a global centre for politics, finance, education, and technology. It hosts many of China’s largest companies and has one of the world's busiest airports. Despite modernisation, traditional areas such as hutongs and siheyuans preserve Beijing’s historical culture, blending the past with the present.

1. Beijing is the second-largest city in China by population, with approximately 18.96 million residents as of 2024, making it a major global metropolis.
2. Beijing covers an area of 16,410.54 square kilometres, with 16 districts including urban, suburban, and rural regions, each contributing to the city’s complex structure.
3. Beijing is home to seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the Forbidden City, the Temple of Heaven, the Summer Palace, and parts of the Great Wall.
4. The city’s average annual temperature is around 13.2°C, with hot summers and cold winters, making it a place with significant seasonal temperature variations.
5. Beijing’s international airport, Beijing Capital International Airport, is one of the busiest airports globally, handling over 100 million passengers annually before the pandemic.
6. The city's metro system, with over 700 kilometres of track, is one of the largest and busiest urban rail networks in the world.
7. Beijing was the host city for the 2008 Summer Olympics and the 2022 Winter Olympics, making it the first city to host both events.
8. The city’s economy has grown rapidly, with Beijing being a hub for industries such as technology, finance, culture, and education, contributing significantly to China’s GDP.
9. The Great Wall of China, stretching over 13,000 miles, has multiple sections running through Beijing, which is one of its most popular and accessible regions.
10. Beijing is home to over 80 universities, including Tsinghua University and Peking University, both globally recognized for their high educational standards and research contributions.
11. Beijing's air quality has been a concern due to pollution, with efforts to reduce emissions, promote electric vehicles, and implement stricter environmental regulations over the years.
12. Beijing has a well-preserved historical district called the Hutongs, which are narrow alleyways lined with traditional courtyard houses, offering a glimpse of old Beijing life.
13. The city’s primary language is Mandarin, and it’s the political, cultural, and educational heart of China, with significant influence over the country's direction.
14. Beijing’s public transportation network is highly integrated, with buses, taxis, and subways offering affordable and efficient ways to travel across the city.
15. Beijing's economy is supported by major industries such as telecommunications, IT, finance, real estate, and services, with a rapidly growing technology sector spearheaded by companies like Baidu.

Beijing, the capital of China, is administered directly by the central government. It is one of the four municipal-level regions, alongside Shanghai, Tianjin, and Chongqing, which are not part of any province. The city's administrative structure includes several levels of government, with the local government being headed by the Mayor and the Municipal People's Congress. The mayor is elected by the People's Congress, and the municipal government oversees various departments, such as education, health, and transport.

The Communist Party of China (CPC) has a strong presence in Beijing's administration, with the Beijing Municipal Party Committee leading the city's development and policy decisions. The city's administrative divisions consist of 16 districts and two rural counties. These districts are further subdivided into neighborhoods and townships, each with local governance structures.

The Beijing Municipal People's Congress is responsible for making local laws and regulations, while the Municipal People's Government executes policies and manages day-to-day affairs. Local law enforcement and public safety are managed by the Beijing Municipal Public Security Bureau, and the city's judiciary operates under the Supreme People's Court of China. The city has substantial influence on national political and economic decisions, housing numerous governmental offices, foreign embassies, and cultural institutions.

Beijing, the capital of China, has a robust and diverse economy. In 2024, the city's regional gross domestic product (GDP) exceeded $699.88 billion, marking a 5.2% year-on-year increase.

The city's economy is primarily driven by the tertiary sector, which includes services such as finance, technology, and education. This sector accounts for 83.8% of Beijing's economic output. The secondary sector, encompassing manufacturing and construction, contributes 15.8%, while the primary sector, including agriculture and mining, makes up 0.26%.

Beijing is a significant hub for multinational corporations, hosting 252 regional headquarters and 149 foreign-funded research and development centres. In the first eight months of 2024, these R&D centres invested 13.77 billion yuan ($1.92 billion) in research and development, a 29.9% increase from the previous year.

The city is also a leader in scientific research, consistently ranking first in the Nature Index for scientific research output since 2016.

In terms of GDP, Beijing ranks second among Chinese cities, following Shanghai. In 2024, Beijing's GDP was approximately $699.88 billion, while Shanghai's was about $757.22 billion.

The city's economy is supported by major industries such as telecommunications, information technology, finance, and real estate. Beijing's Central Business District (CBD) serves as the primary area for finance, media, and business services, housing numerous multinational corporations.

As the capital city of China, Beijing is not only the nation’s political, cultural, scientific and educational center, but also one of the leading growth machines in the country. The city has experienced double-digit growth in its gross domestic product (GDP) for at least the last decade, and government revenues have increased at rates between 18 and 30 percent in recent years. 

Real estate has been one of the most important sectors of economic growth since the mid-1990s, with public and private investment leading to improved urban infrastructure, intense demands for housing and increased land consumption.

This rapid growth has fundamentally changed the physical pattern of the city, both in the existing built-up central areas and throughout the municipal region. At this time of transformation from a planned economy to a market economy, Chinese urban planners are reviewing the existing planning methodology and urban systems.