Beijing

Best known for its Opera, iconic bicycles and signature duck dish, Beijing is the cultural and political center of China, and has been so almost continuously since the 13th century. Indeed, its streets have seen their fair share of action; from ruthless emperors to the rise and fall of a communist dictator and European invasion to the Japanese occupation.

But, despite its rich history, the city bears few traces of its past. Much was lost during past wars and as much has been forfeited in various waves of modernization. Recently, this has translated as a seemingly endless process of deconstruction and reconstruction in a turbocharged push to mold the city into one that speaks better of its position as a major superpower.

Still, with the likes of Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, the Great Wall as well as Victory Gate, the Taoist and Buddhist temples and the historic area around and including the drum tower, you could hardly say that Beijing has completely lost its heritage. Now, it's precisely this dramatic mix of old and new that makes the city so unique; incongruous combinations where communist slogans adorn the walls of luxury shopping centers and ramshackle hutongs compete for space with high rise buildings.

This metropolis offers new trends in architecture, music and fashion and serves as a magnet for businessmen, expats, students and travelers, as well as thousands of internal migrants that join the politically conscious and witty locals to try and make it in the fast and furious capital where it seems almost anything is possible.

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  798 Art District 大山子艺术区

  Venue for Beijing's modern art elite community

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  Military Museum 中国人民革命军事博物馆

  Comprehensive exhibition of 5,000 years of violence

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  Quanjude Roast Duck Restaurant 全聚德

  Classic restaurant with long history and delicious Peking duck

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  Isshin 一心日本料理

  Fresh and affordable sushi with real Japanese flare

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