As the 2008 Olympic Games is around the corner, Beijing has become one of the hottest tourist destinations for people around the world. What does Beijing look like? Old or New? Simple or Dandified? Let’s take a walk through the following downtown districts in Beijing and take a close look at this old-timey metropolis.
Xuanwu District
Beijing Xuannan Culture Museum
Xuanwu District, located in the southwest of Beijing, boasts a history as long as the city itself. It has bred Xuannan (literally south of Xuanwu Gate) Culture, which conveys colorful historical meanings.
Beijing's culture can be broadly divided into three levels: royal, scholarly and civilian. Xuannan Culture includes features of all three levels.
The Altar of the God of Agriculture, situated in Xuanwu District, was founded in 1420. It is an important site where ancient emperors offered sacrifices to a legendary ruler who is supposed to have introduced agriculture to ancient China, and the God of the Mountains and Rivers. It is a testament to the important role of agriculture in the lives of Chinese people.
The Temple of the Origin of Dharma, which is much older, was founded in the Tang Dynasty (618-907). Now, the Buddhist Academy of China and the Buddhist Library of China are located there. Niujie, nearby the temple, is a residential area that houses Beijing's largest number of Muslims.
The Pavilion of Happiness and Ease, renowned as one of the four famous pavilions of China, was once the gathering place for ancient scholars who left poems there.
Liulichang used to be an area of the colored glaze workshops located near Heping Gate. Now with its many antique calligraphy and art shops it is a favorite spot for both locals and tourists.
Scholars from around the country used to come to Beijing to take the exams. Most of them would gather in the area of Xuannan. Of the guilds that provided accommodation to them the most famous is Huguang Guild, which dates back 200 years.
Tianqiao area is famous worldwide for its folk culture characteristics. The name comes from a bridge that Chinese emperors passed along when traveling from the Forbidden City to the Altar of the God of Agriculture and the Temple of Heaven. The bridge was destroyed in 1934 in order to widen a road, but the area has remained a flourishing one with many entertainment venues.
Tianqiao Theater, built in 1953, was the first Beijing theater after the People's Republic of China was founded in 1949. Now, it mainly hosts ballets and operas.
Chongwen District From early March work will begin in Chongwen District, one of the four downtown districts of Beijing, to renovate 27 old hutongs, repairing the walls and doors, as well as making the surrounding area green. The project is supposed to be finished at the end of May.
The famous Qianmen Avenue, located near Tiananmen Square, is already undergoing similar restoration work that should be completed by the end of May.
