Beijing Development

Great changes have taken place since the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949. The city walls were demolished to facilitate transportation and allow for general expansion. By 2001, the population exceeded 12.5 million, and the total municipal area was increased to over 17,800 square kilometers.The city is presently divided into 16 districts: Dongcheng, Xicheng, Chongwen, Xuanwu, Chaoyang, Haidian, Shijingshan, Fengtai,Shunyi, Changping,Mentougou, Tongzhou,Fangshan, Daxing, Huairou and Pinggu. In addition to these urban districts, the municipality is comprised of two counties: Miyun and Yanqing.

Beijing Development

Plans for future development retain the symmetrical layout of the old city on its north-south axis, extending out into the suburban districts.With Tian'anmen at the center, offices along 38-kilometer-long Chang'an Boulevard will concentrate on state, political and economic affairs. The areasaround the Palace Museum (Imperial Palace or Forbidden City) and city gates as wellas the lakes -- Zhongnanhai,Beihai and Housanhai -- have been designated landmarkdistricts. And with a look to the future, an increasing number of historical, culturaland revolutionary sites are being renovated and opened to the public.

Beijing Development

By 2010, Beijing will achieve an all-round development of economic and social and development. The functions as political and cultural center will be further enhanced brought to perfection. It will become the best city with the most developed culture,andeducation,science and technology, social ethics and conventions and democracy and legal system. An economic system suited to the characteristics of the capital will be completed, led by a new and high technology industry, with developed tertiary industryrational industrial Structure and high efficiency and high quality. The people's living standards will be raised to a higher level on the basis of a comfortable level. The city environment will be further improved and the city's management level will be improved markedly. By 2010, the GDP will be double that of 2000 and a fairly perfect socialist market system will take shape. The comprehensive strength of the economy, science technology and social development will reach or surpass in some aspects the levels of capital cities of middle developed countries. By the mid-21st century, Beijing will become a modern international metropolis.

Beijing Travel Guide