Beijing is the capital and second-largest city in China. It has a rich history dating back to millennia. As the last of the Four Great Ancient Capitals of China, Beijing has been the political center of the country for most of the past eight centuries. Beijing is famous for its opulent palaces, temples, parks, gardens, tombs, walls, and gates. It has seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
These fascinating photos will take you back to the old Beijing in the 1980s. It was the time when the economic reforms of the 1980s accelerated the development and Beijing changed dramatically. New shopping centers and residential buildings appeared throughout the city, and high-tech industrial parks were established, especially in the suburbs. The urban area of the city expanded greatly with the completion of the 2nd Ring Road in 1981 and the subsequent addition of the 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th Ring Roads. The city planners advised the government that Beijing would no longer attract heavy industry. The aging inner core of the city, where the historical relics are concentrated, would have low-density development and renew over time.
