Discover Beijingleads you beyond the hustle and bustle of this fastgrowing city - which will be hosting the 2008 Olympic Games - and takes you on a historical journey. Discover Beijingtraces the origins of the unique lifestyles and cultures of Beijing - historical sites, palaces, princes' mansions, temples and old architecture which can still be found today. From the grandeur of the Forbidden City to the stately Tian'anmen Square; from the charming ancient city gates like Qianmen to the awe-inspiring Great Wall of China - discover the stories behind the history and people that most guidebooks don't tell you. So the next time when you are in Beijing, you will have a better understanding and appreciation of the history and culture of the city. About theDiscoverseries Discoveris a series of introductory books covering the history, culture, arts and heritage of major cities around the world. Each book contains alphabetically ordered entrieswith concise and relevant information on the defining features of a city. Colour and archival photographs illustrate the entries. The informative snippets are meticulously researched and specially selected to provide an overview of the main characteristics of a city. The images provide a valuable visual tool for the reader to have a better understanding of the subjects discussed. Filled with interesting facts and beautiful images, the Discoverseries of books is your ideal reference to the significant places, events and traditions of cities around the world.