The political capital and cultural center of China—a country at the forefront of innovation and culture for millennia and eager to reclaim that spot very soon—Beijing is gearing up to host the 2008 Olympics by building and beautifying at a furious pace. All the world’s a stage, but this time next year Beijing will stand solo in the spotlight.
Located in the northeastern part of China, 16 million people call the city home. A big number, but a drop in the bucket compared to the nation’s 1.3 billion people who share a landmass slightly smaller than the continental U.S.
Flying to and from Beijing is a snap, as Beijing's main airport, Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK), is the hub for Air China and sees a large number of international flights every day. And, new routes are starting all the time (see sidebar). In preparation for the Olympic Games, an additional expressway and a light rail line are under construction to link central Beijing to the airport.
Even though they say getting there is half the fun, Beijing has so many iconic sights that once here the journey from home feels like a very distant memory. The Great Wall, until very recently the only manmade object visible from space (the artificial islands off the coast of Dubai now claim the distinction as well), is only 45 miles away from Beijing, and like the Pyramids of Giza, is something everyone should see at least once.
The Great Wall is at the top of a long list of must-sees in Beijing. The Forbidden City (aka Palace Museum) was home to the emperors of two dynasties spanning five centuries. Boasting more than 800 ornate and magnificent temples and buildings, the Forbidden City is one of the largest urban historical sites on the globe.
Another famous sight is Tiananmen Square, the national symbol of the People’s Republic of China and the most famous—but not only—entrance into the Forbidden City. Tiananmen Square is a great place to just stroll and people watch, watch old men fly kites, or take a quick tour on a rickshaw.
A city like Beijing of course has to have the tourism infrastructure to support all the domestic and international tourists who flock to its famous sites. In the middle of a hotel building boom right now in preparation for 2008, there is already a wealth of hotel choices from well-known global brands. According to the Beijing Tourism Administration (http://english.bjta.gov.cn) standout Beijing properties for MICE planners include the China World Hotel, Jing Guang New World Hotel, Hilton Beijing, and The Great Wall Sheraton.
Beijing has a number of convention and exposition facilities, but the pearl of them all is the Beijing International Convention Center (BICC), one of China's most technically advanced conference and exhibition centers, and renowned for its quality service. The imposing BICC is within easy reach of Beijing's major travel and sports facilities, and the national Olympic Sports Center is just across the street.
The city has a full range of dining options, but a full-blown traditional Chinese feast is not to be missed. Take your time and pace yourself, as the dishes come slow and steady for hours at a time. You won’t leave hungry.
If a planner hasn't already booked space for a meeting or incentive during the Olympics, they better start sprinting to make that happen. Although the city will be even more vibrant than usual--and crowded--during the games, the good news is that there will probably be an abundance of space and a pumped-up infrastructure once the games are over.
Beijing is rising--to the challenge of hosting the biggest global event in the history of civilization and as a leading player on the world stage. There's no better time than now to see first-hand how a star is born.
