Stretching more than 3,000 miles from the western shore of the Pacific Ocean across the face of Asia, China is a country of immense size and variety. Situated in northeast China, Beijing adjoins the Inner Mongolian Highland to the northwest and the Great Northern Plain to the south. Five rivers run through the city, connecting it to the eastern Bohai Sea.

Beijing grew up around its mythic Forbidden City, once home to Chinese Emporers. Also central to the city is Tiananmen Square. Covering 98 acres, Tiananmen is the world’s largest, and perhaps ... [read more]