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Beijing is China's political, cultural and educational capital. Its location has been continuously inhabited for over 2,500 years. Beijing is now home to more than 15 million people. As China's economy grows, more people from overseas are either visiting or living in Beijing. Beijing has over 70,000 residents from overseas and more than 3.5 million overseas visitors annually. Beijing is China's third largest city in terms of population, after Chongqing and Shanghai. The Beijing Observer is here to help you learn everything you might want to know about this increasingly prosperous and important city.

Where is Beijing?

Beijing is located at 39.56 degrees N, 116.20 degrees East. It lies in the north of the North China Plain. The 16,400 square kilometre area is bounded by mountains to the west, north and northeast. In the southeast, the terrain is quite flat.

Beijing Visas - Visa for China

Visas for stays in China are issued in the following categories:

  • D Visa: For permanent residence in China.
  • Z Visa: For people and their family who wish to work in China or conduct an academic exchange. Foreign employees of Chinese organizations should apply for this visa. Before entering China you should apply for a visa at your local Chinese embassy. You will need an Alien's Work Certificate - given to you by your Chinese employer, a valid passport, and an official notification for visa application. After you arrive in China your employer should present your certificate, your work contract and your passport to the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Labour and Social Security. Provided the paperwork is in order, the Labour Bureau will issue you with an Alien's Work Permit.
  • X Visa: A six month visa allowing study or job-training in China. Students coming to China to study should apply for this visa.
  • F Visa: A six month visa issued to people invited to China on a study, lecture or business tour, for scientific-technology exchanges, cultural exchanges, for refresher courses or job-training.
  • L Visa: For tourism, visiting relatives or private purposes.
  • G Visa: For transit through China.
  • C Visa: For air crew, train attendants and sailors operating internationally and for their family members.
  • J-1 Visa: For foreign correspondents living in China and their family members.
  • J-2 Visa: For foreign correspondents making a brief visit to China to report on a story.


    • What is Beijing's Climate Like?

    Beijing's Climate and Weather

    Beijing's Climate is Continental Monsoon. Spring and autumn are short. Summers and long, hot and humid. Three quarters of Beijing's rainfall comes in summer - in the form of heavy rainstorms in July and August. Winters are cold.

    Districts and Counties in Beijing

    Beijing is split into 16 districts and 2 counties.

    Beijing's Districts

    Beijing's inner districts, where the majority of people live are Chaoyang, Chongwen, Dongcheng, Fengtai, Haidian, Shijingshan, Xicheng and Xuanwu

    Farther out from the central city lie eight more districts. These are less densely populated than the eight more central districts.

    Changping, Daxing, Fangshan, Huairou, Mentougou, Pinggu, Tongzhou and Shunyi

    Beijing's Counties

    Beijing encompasses two counties, both lying on the outskirts of municipal Beijing - Miyun and Yanqing. Together they are home to almost three-quarters of a million people.

    Which Timezone does Beijing lie in?

    Beijing time is GMT+8 all year round. Unusually for such a large country, China does not operate any separate timezones. Whatever the time is in Beijing, it is the same time everywhere in China.

    Income Tax in Beijing/China

    China's Currency

    Getting Married in Beijing/China