As a city combining both modern and traditional architecture, Beijing is an ever-changing mega city rich in history but also truly modern, exemplified in its global influence in politics, business & economy, education, history, culture, language, music, sporting, architecture, civilization, fashion, art, entertainment, innovation, and technology.

Beijing has seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites – the Great Wall, the Forbidden City and the Temple of Heaven, the Temple of Heaven, the Summer Palace, the Ming Tombs, the Peking Man Site at Zhoukoudian and parts section of the Grand Canal, all popular locations for tourism. As valuable cultural and historic sites and classic symbols of Beijing, they have witnessed the changes of the city. Siheyuans or quadrangle courtyards are classic housing styles of Beijing, and hutongs, the narrow alleys between siheyuans, are major tourist attractions and are common in urban Beijing. The city hosted the 2008 Summer Olympics and was chosen to host the 2022 Winter Olympics, making it the first city to ever host both Winter and Summer Olympics.