Beijing ,also known as Peking ,is the capital of the People's Republic of China and one of the most populous cities in the world,with a population of 19,612,368 as of 2010.The city is the country's political,cultural,and educational center,and home to the headquarters for most of China's largest state-owned companies.The metropolis,located in northern China,borders Hebei Province to the north,west,south,and a small section to the east,and Tianjin Municipality to the southeast.
Governed as a municipality under the direct administration of the national government,Beijing is divided into 14 urban and suburban districts and two rural counties.It is a major transportation hub,with dozens of railways,roads and motorways passing through the city,and the destination of many international flights to China.
Few cities in the world have served as long as the political and cultural centre of an area as immense.Beijing is one of the Four Great Ancient Capitals of China.It has been the heart of China’s history for centuries,and there is scarcely a major building of any age in Beijing that does not have at least some national historical significance.The city is renowned for its opulent palaces,temples,and huge stone walls and gates.Its art treasures and universities have long made it a centre of culture and art in China.