China..here we come!

Ni hao ma, meaning how are you doing? The last two weeks have been interesting as our EMBA class prepares for our trip to China. We are learning new things about Chinese way of life and values. In anticipation for our first stop in Beijing, I looked up some interesting facts:

• Beijing is the capital city of People’s Republic of China.


• Beijing is the second largest city in China.


• The Summer Olympics 2008 were held in Beijing.


• Beijing was known as Peking in Imperial China.


• There are 16 districts and 2 counties in Beijing.


• China Rose or Chrysanthemum is the city flower of Beijing.


• The city tree of Beijing is Arborviate or Chinese Scholar Tree.


• Beijing is referred as the one of the ‘Four Great Ancient Capitals of China’.


• Beijing is the major transportation hub of the country, as it houses many roads and railways.


• Beijing is the political, cultural and educational nerve center of China.


• Beijing is one of the four municipalities (equivalent to provinces in China's administrative structure) of the People’s Republic of China.


• The term 'Beijing' literally means ‘Northern Capital’.


• Beijing was renamed Beiping in 1928 (after the success of the Kuomintang (KMT)'s Northern Expedition), but given back its original name in 1937 (during Japanese occupation).


• On an average day, the air pollution levels in Beijing are nearly five times above World Health Organization standards for safety.


• 1406 through 1420 saw the building of Beijing’s Forbidden City, home of Ming Dynasty emperors. Twenty-four emperors ruled from this eminent locale.
  Visitors are welcome to visit the Forbidden City which is located at the rear of Tiananmen Square. This complex holds nearly one thousand rooms.


• Tianamen Square is also the resting place for Chairman Mao’s tomb.


• Beijing was only reinstalled as China’s capital as late as 1421 AD.


• Beijing enjoys four distinct seasons. Most travelers prefer to visit the city in summer and fall.


• Currently there are more than fifteen million people residing in Beijing. Most residents are of Han ethnicity.


• China’s largest wooden Buddha statue is located in Beijing’s Yonghe Lamasery.


• The city is considered to the bicycle capital of the world as has many parking lots dedicated to bikes alone.