Basic information about Beijing

Beijing is the capital of the People's Republic of China and one of the country's most populous cities. It is located in northwest China and is surrounded by mountains to the north, which help keep out the dry winds from Mongolia.

Beijing has a population of over 20 million people, with only 13 million officially registered as residents, while the rest live with temporary certificates. Additionally, there are approximately 10 million migrant workers, often referred to as "black people" in local terminology.

The majority of Beijing's residents are of Chinese ethnicity, primarily Han Chinese, but the city is also home to many Mongols, Manchus, and Tibetans. Furthermore, there is a significant foreign population, with most expatriates residing in the affluent and densely populated northern and eastern neighborhoods of Beijing.

Settlements on the territory of modern Beijing date back to the first millennium BC. Notably, it was the site of Ji, the main city of the kingdom of Yan, which witnessed the rampage of Genghis Khan's troops and later served as the residence of Khubilai Khan. Remnants of the Tatar-Mongol walls can still be seen near the 3rd ring road.

The exact founding date of Beijing is uncertain, but it received its modern name, which translates to "northern capital," in the 15th century when it took its modern shape. From 1425 to 1825, Beijing was the largest city in the world.

In 1911, China underwent a revolution that marked the end of the imperial era. In 1949, the Communist Party took control of Beijing, and it continues to govern the city to this day.