Beijing's most recent chapter began on January 31, 1949 as the Chinese People's Liberation Army marched into the city under the command of Chairman Mao Zedong. In his famous speech from the Tian'anmen Rostrum on the following October 1, he declared the founding of the People's Republic of China.

After years of turmoil following the collapse of China's last dynasty, the chaos of the Republic of China (1912-1949) years, the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the War of Liberation, citizens looked forward to a new sense of direction and identity.

In the years that have passed, Beijing has undergone a more drastic transformation than that any other time in its history. The city has burst out of the nine gates of the Inner City Wall and now spreads to the Fifth Ring Road and beyond.

Beijing's facelift has been drastic, but some of the city's features have remained their original place in the big picture. Tian’anmen Square still remains the heart of Beijing, the palaces and watchtowers are under strict cultural relic protection, old hutong alleys and housing have been renovated and conserved, and imperial palaces and gardens still hold a special place in the hearts of Beijingers.

Capital of New China - Beijing