Beijing is one of the historic capitals of the Chinese Empire and is the political and cultural center of the People's Republic. It is not the most populous city in China, but after a rush hour ride on a Beijing bus or an attempt to cross a major street, you may think so. (The population of this ever-growing city now exceeds 22 million).

You will also be impressed by the geographic size of the place – it is a long way across town.

Beijing has been primarily an administrative capital rather than an industrial or commercial city. Today, however, the administrative function is supplemented by industrial and (especially) commercial activities. As a capital, Beijing is the location of the headquarters of the nation's key economic institutions. It is also the home of many national cultural institutions.

One advantage of the administrative character of the city is that Beijing is laid out in a square and organized on a grid pattern, so it is relatively easy to find your way around.

Most importantly, most Beijing people speak Chinese with standard pronunciation, which is a big help not only for understanding what people say but also for maintaining accurate pronunciation in your own spoken Chinese.

While you are in Beijing, you will have the opportunity to immerse yourself in many aspects as possible of Chinese culture. You will visit important monuments associated with Chinese tradition, such as the Great Wall and the Forbidden City. You will also learn about China's more recent tradition by visiting such places as the Museum of  evolutionary History and Tiananmen Square. Finally, you'll have the chance to finish your evening at a Chinese opera with a popular music concert or a film aimed at the mass audience.

Chinese culture, especially in Beijing, is richly diverse.