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The capital of the People's Republic of China is Beijing. It has many historical sites and important government institutions. The city is flat and has only one hill within the city limits. Beijing has an unusual system for roads; there are ring roads, which are actually rectangular that go around the main city and are being renovated for the 2008 Summer Olympics. Entering Beijing is easiest through Beijing Capital International Airport. It is about 26km from the town center. The airport is the hub for a few airlines, primarily Air China, Hainan Airlines, and China Southern Airlines.
Many people visiting Beijing enjoy seeing the Forbidden City, also known as the Palace Museum. It is a spectacular way to see the grandeur of the Imperial Chinese Court during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Despite changes to the city, the Forbidden City stays basically the same. Tiananmen Square is another popular place to visit, it is the largest square in the world. There are still some reminders of the massacre that happened here – for instance, the bullet which is held in the stomach of one of the marble lions. Beijing Zoo and Aquarium features one of the biggest aquariums in the world. Built on the sites of ancient gardens, the Zoo is surrounded by lakes, pavilions, and old buildings. Yonghegong, also known as Lama Temple or Palace of Peace, still has monks living in it. It is famous for its statue of Buddha carved from one piece of sandalwood – it is 18m large!
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