Huan Ying! Welcome to Beijing!

Beijing’s history dates back to almost 500,000 years when ‘Peking men’ lived in caves here. Documented evidence shows Beijing to have been inhabited almost three thousand years ago. By all accounts, Beijing has had a distinguished and event filled history – It has seen repeated invasions by Chinese warriors and external aggressors, and the ascent and decline of great empires. It has been devastated by fires and other natural calamities and yet risen like a phoenix each time. It has been ruled by no less than thirty four emperors, from the Yuan dynasty to the Ming and Qing dynasties, and reigned as the capital city for over 800 years. And at all times, Beijing has remained one of the most important trading centres of China.

Being selected as the host nation for the prestigious 2008 Olympics has catapulted Beijing city into a turbo-charged frenzy, with entire sections of the city being razed to the ground to give way to a planned metropolis. The preparations are in full-swing and the city is only too happy to welcome the economic upsurge.

On your trip to Beijing, you will undoubtedly be touched by the cultural heritage, the stark difference in lifestyles and the very core of Chinese existence - a legacy that is thick and underlines everything. Beijing offers a panorama of tourist experiences that balance a glorious past and a vibrant present. From the Hutongs to the tea houses of yore, from the temple fairs and the Peking opera to the all night bars and concerts, there is a lot to see and do in Beijing, and many Beijing tours to enjoy.

You can start with the world’s largest central square, the Tian’anmen Square, which covers an awesome area of 440,000 square metres. Tian’anmen literally means Gateway of Heavenly Peace, and the square is the venue of many rallies and events. Move on to the Temple of Heaven, which is the biggest sacrificial enclosure in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Walk up one segment of the well-protected and finely preserved Great Wall of China, one of the Seven Wonders of the World, or gape at the splendour of the Forbidden City, which is again a UNESCO World Heritage site. A great way to get around and explore the city is by taking a tour in Beijing.

Beijing offers a wid variety of places to stay that provide hospitality to match the best in the world, both in terms of amenities and service. If you want your hotel in Beijing to be close to a particular landmark, use our Beijing map to help you find your perfect location.

Beijing is a major transport hub in China, and it's easy to get to other great China holiday destinations such as Xian, Guizhou and Shanghai.

Sinohotel.com, based in Beijing, is an e-marketplace operator in its own right and books in excess of 200,000 room nights a year for foreign visitors. Clearly, it has the experience needed to ensure that you find the right hotel in Beijing for you. So choose your destination, select your Beijing hotel and relax. Beijing Hotels will do the rest. Recently, it has been recommendated by an article of the Wall Street Journal online for Olympic booking solutions.