Beijing and Shanghai are the two biggest and most important cities in China. Now let's have a quick and short look at them.

　　Beijing, is the nation's political, economic, cultural and educational center as well as China's most important center for international trade and communications.

　　As the capital of the PRC, Beijing is located in northern China. The city covers an area of more than 16,410 square kilometers (6336 square miles) and has a population of 14.93 million people.

　　Beijing is a city with four distinct seasons. Beijing's long and illustrious history started some 500,000 years ago. Records show that Beijing has been an inhabited city for more than three thousand years. For more than 800 years, Beijing was a capital city - from the Yuan Dynasty (1271 - 1368) to the Ming (1368 - 1644) and Qing (1644 - 1911) dynasties.

　　Although now Beijing is a modern and fashionable city complete with a full 21st Century vitality, you can experience authentic Beijing life and become acquainted with 'old Beijing' by exploring its many teahouses, temple fairs, Beijing's Hutong and Courtyard and enjoy the Peking Opera. There are many sights in Beijing like Tian'anmen Square, the Forbidden City, the Great Wall, as well as the Temple of Heaven and so on. With its century-old history and unique cultural relics, and as the host city of the 2008 Olympics, Beijing attracts more and more visitors.

　　Shanghai, China's largest modern city, is situated in the middle of China's east coastal line. Shanghai covers an area of over 6,340 squarekilos and has a population of over 15 million.

　　It is the largest economic and trade centre in the country and acomprehensive industrial base. It is an open city along the coast, as well as a famoushistorical and cultural city. Shanghai's history of revolution andculture attract tourists home and abroad. Being regarded as "Paris of China" and as the paradise for shopping, Shanghai has become an idealcity for tourism.

　　The Pudong Development Area in Shanghai is an important specialeconomic zone in China. Efforts are being made to develop Shanghai into a modern international economic, financial and trade centre.

　　Welcome to visit Beijing and Shanghai