In Beijing, non-intensive arts courses, lec-tures, trips and workshops on topics from cal-ligraphy and history to jiaozi-making and rock music are here for the taking. An increasing number of organizations, including the follow-ing, will help expand your skills and horizons in Beijing. Also, the foreign student offices of all Beijing universities can help students find instructors of calligraphy, painting, tai chi and other disciplines.

Do you feel quite helpless when you are ill in a foreign country? Are you worried about the language barrier with the doctor? These kinds of problem can be solved easily in Beijing. There are 29 high-level hospitals having special foreign clinics which have a high reputation among local foreigners. The hospitals accept patients with a foreign passport, a student card or the identity certificate of Hong Kong, Macau or Taiwan.

China is a country with religious freedom and respects every religion. Buddhism, Taoism, Islam, Catholicism and Christianity are religions found in Beijing. Religious activities are carried out in Buddhist temples, Taoist temples, mosques and churches in Beijing. The most well known of these are: Catholic East Church, Catholic South Church, Gangwa City Christian Church, Chongwenmen Christian Church, Niujie Street Mosque, Dongsi Mosque, Guangji Temple, Guanghua Temple, Baiyun Taoist Temple and Yonghegong Lamasery.

The vast Chinese economy has developed in fits and starts since the founding of the People's Republic in 1949. Its basic structure is mostly that of a developing country, with the majority of the population employed on the land. However, there is a significant industrial base and expanding pockets of advanced manufacturing and technological enterprises, including a space programme.

Beijing is home to an extensive number of colleges and universities, including several well-regarded universities of international stature, especially including China's two most prestigious institutions, Peking University ("Beida") and Tsinghua University. Other well known institutions, domestically and internationally, include Beijing Normal University and Renmin University of China.

Welcome to Beijing, one of the leading capitals of the world and the host of the 2008 Olympics. With a history that is more than 3000 years, Beijing is an amazing mix of old and new. For centuries Beijing has been the centre for cultural and business activities and is today beyond doubt a truly world class and international city.

Beijing is a transportation hub and has a well laid out network of roads, railways and a major airport. Commuting in Beijing should be the least bothersome issue in a visitors mind. The city has convenient transportation links, extending in all directions. The well laid out rail and road network enables one to have a pleasant journey at Beijing.

Beijing is located in the northeastern corner of China. The city limits of Beijing extend some 80km (50mi), including the urban and the suburban areas and the nine counties under its administration - in other words, it's huge. Though it may not appear so in the shambles of arrival, Beijing is a place of very orderly design. Long, straight boulevards and avenues are crisscrossed by a network of lanes. Places of interest are either very easy to find if they're on the avenues, or impossible to find if they're buried down the hutongs (narrow alleys).

The oriental city of China, Beijing is witness to a splendid culture and insightful history. The people of Beijing are diligent, intelligent and passionate. We welcome your visits and investments here, to get a better knowledge of today, yesterday and tomorrow's Beijing.