BEIJING chose the week of the visit of the Olympic committee to put on an extravagant promotion in the Grand Ballroom of the Park Lane London Hilton, extolling the virtues of the capital of China (and the 2008 venue). The Chinese Opera was featured. As things stand about 400,000 British visit China every year and 100,000 in the other direction. These numbers are expected to dramatically increase with the UK now seen as a ”favoured nation” and likely to be a very popular destination for the rapidly emerging Chinese middle class. With four airlines serving the city non-stop from London Beijing is now uniquely placed to become the premier tourist destination of the Far East. With over 3,000 years of history and attractions such as the Summer Palace, the Temple of Heaven and the Forbidden City, Beijing has more world heritage sites on its doorstep than any other city in the world. The Great Wall is only 15 miles from the city centre. Preparations for the Olympic Games in 2008 and a rapid growth in business exchange with other countries has led to a modernisation of the city, turning it into a delightful mix of ancient and modern.
http://www.bjta.gov.cn