What is the capital of China?
Beijing is the capital of the People's Republic of China. Located in the north of the country, this metropolis spanning 16,800 km² is the political and cultural center of China, bordering Hebei Province and Tianjin Municipality.
Beijing, China's political and cultural capital
Beijing, also called Beijing according to official transcription, has been the capital of the People's Republic of China since 1949. This metropolis of 16,800 km² extends in the north of the country and borders Hebei province as well as the municipality of Tianjin.
The city concentrates major political institutions: the headquarters of the Chinese Communist Party, the National People's Assembly and the residence of the president. Beijing also hosts the main cultural sites such as the Forbidden City, the Temple of Heaven and a section of the Great Wall.
Beijing in the Chinese economy
Unlike Shanghai and Hong Kong which dominate the Chinese economy, Beijing remains above all the center of political and cultural power. The capital nevertheless ranks among the most developed cities in the country with its 21 million inhabitants.
Key points
- Official name: Beijing (pinyin transcription)
- Area: 16,800 km²
- Position: north of China
- Role: political and cultural capital