Beijing Facts and Information

Beijing Country: China

Beijing By The Numbers:

Population: 15 million Average Winter Temperature: -3°C / 27°F Average Summer Temperature: 26°C / 79°F Annual Rainfall: 890 millimeters / 34.7 inches Elevation: 55 meters / 180 feet Number of cars: 3.3 million and growing 1,000 every day

Quick Facts:

Electricity: 220 volts AC, 50Hz; two-pin plugs are standard Time Zone: GMT+ 8 China Standard Time (CMJ) Country Code: +86 Area Code: 010

Did You Know?

The guard towers along the outer walls of the Forbidden City are said to be modeled after cricket cages.

Mao's Mausoleum, which houses the preserved body of Chairman Mao a la Lenin style, also contains an exact replica of the Great Helmsman's corpse made entirely of wax. It is unknown whether the wax or real body is on display at any given time.

The last emperor of the Qing Puyi was allowed to continue living in the Forbidden City after abdicating in 1911 until the warlord Feng Yuxiang evicted him and his family in 1924.