| Summer Olympics 2008, China | | | | sailing events for the Summer Olympics as Beijing is |
| China will host the prestigious Summer Olympics in | | | | not by the sea. |
| 2008. Already, Olympics fever has gripped China and | | | | Qingdao city lies on undulating hills with luxuriantly green |
| we'll probaby see another exciting Olympics in 2008. | | | | trees and buildings noted for their attractive |
| The two cities that will host the Olympics in China are | | | | architectural styles. The red colour of the tiled roves, |
| Beijing, which is the nations capital and Qingdao, a | | | | green colour of the trees thills and blue of the sea |
| seaside city in the province of Shandong, in north-east | | | | contrast beautifully. All this along with its beautiful |
| China. Let's get to know these two Olympics cities | | | | climate, make the city well-known as a summer and |
| better. | | | | health resort. |
| Beijing | | | | The city occupies an area of 10 654 km2. The city is |
| Beijing is the capital for China. It was also a capital for | | | | located in flatlands, with mountains spurring up nearby. |
| the last two monarchies that ruled China before being | | | | The highest elevation in the area is 1133 m above sea |
| overthrown by Sun Yat Sun in 1911 and has been the | | | | level. The city has a 730.64-kilometer coastline. Five |
| capital since Mao Tse Tung declared China a People's | | | | significant rivers that flow for more than 50 km can be |
| Republic in 1949. | | | | found in the region. |
| Beijing is located in northern China, close to Tianjin | | | | Qingdao is estimated to be the home for more than 7 |
| Municipality and partially surrounded by Hebei Province. | | | | million inhabitants, of which around 2.6 million is residing |
| The city covers an area of more than 16,800 square | | | | in the Qingdao urban area. |
| kilometers (6,487 square miles) and has a population of | | | | Qingdao enjoys mild summers and relatively warm |
| 13.82 million people. Beijing is at its best in late spring | | | | winters, with the average July temperature at |
| and autumn, particularly during the months of May, | | | | 23.8°C and the average January temperature at |
| September, and October when people can enjoy | | | | -0.7°C. The city gets most rain in June and July, at |
| bright sunshine and blue skies. | | | | an average of 150 mm. |
| As the capital of the People's Republic of China, Beijing | | | | Qingdao has very strong German influence in the 19th |
| is the nation's political, economic, cultural and | | | | century and many German influenced buildings can still |
| educational center as well as being the China's most | | | | be seen. In fact, Qingdao beer is famous throughout |
| important center for international trade and | | | | the world, and every year, hundreds of thousands of |
| communications. It has been the heart and soul of | | | | people, both local and overseas gather in Qingdao for |
| politics and society throughout its long history and | | | | the annual Beer festival. |
| consequently there is an unparalleled wealth of | | | | Qingdao attracts many tourists due to its seaside |
| discovery to delight and intrigue travelers as they | | | | setting and excellent weather. Parks, beaches and |
| explore Beijing's ancient past and enjoy its exciting | | | | sculpture -- as well as some unique architecture -- line |
| modern development. | | | | the shore. Qingdao's major attractions include: |
| Beijing is also the tourist capital of China, boasting of | | | | * Ba Da Guan, the older area of town with some |
| favourite tourist sites such as : | | | | surviving German architecture. |
| Great Wall of China | | | | * Laoshan, a famous Taoist mountain. |
| Forbidden City | | | | * Lu Xun Park, named after Lu Xun, a famous modern |
| Summer Palace | | | | Chinese writer. |
| Temple of Heaven | | | | * Qingdao Beer Museum, on the site of the old |
| Ming tombs | | | | brewery. |
| Tiananmen Square. | | | | * Qingdao Naval Museum |
| Beijing will also be the host for the Summer Olympics | | | | * Qingdao International Beer City, the primary site of |
| in 2008. Already, Olympics fever has gripped the city | | | | the annual Qingdao International Beer Festival. |
| as construction of new buildings, hotels and stadiums, | | | | * Qingdao Underwater World |
| sprucing of tourist facilities, cleaning up of air and water | | | | * St. Michael's Cathedral, a Gothic/Roman cathedral |
| pollution takes on a fervent pace. | | | | designed by German architect Pepieruch, completed in |
| Qingdao | | | | 1934. |
| Qingdao is a bustling city located in Shandong province, | | | | * Zhan Qiao (Zhan Pier) |
| in the North East of China. Qingdao will be the site for | | | | * Zhanshan Temple, Qingdao's only Buddhist temple. |