Beijing, literally “Northern Capital”, is the capital of the People’s Republic of China. It was formerly known in English as Peking. Beijing is China’s third largest city in terms of population. It is the political, educational, and cultural center of China. Beijing is also the site for the 2008 Summer Olympics Games (Wikipedia).
In 2005, Beijing’s nominal GDP was US$ 84 billion, a year-on-year growth of 11.1% from the previous year. The Beijing CBD, centered at the Guomao area, has been identified as the city's new central business district, and is home to a variety of corporate regional headquarters, shopping malls, and high-end housing. The Beijing Financial Street, in the Fuxingmen and Fuchengmen area, is a traditional financial center. The Wangfujing and Xidan areas are major shopping districts. Zhongguancun, dubbed "China's Silicon Valley", continues to be a major center in electronics- and computer-related industries, as well as pharmaceuticals-related research. Meanwhile, Yizhuang, located to the southeast of the urban area, is becoming a new center in pharmaceuticals, IT, and materials engineering (Wikipedia).
Beijing is best known for its culture and many historical sites. The major attractions of the city include the Great Wall, Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, Summer Palace, Temple of Heaven, Rear Sea District, Silk Lane Shopping District and Wangfujing. The class will spend five days visiting businesses, universities, and various cultural sites during the trip.
