Beijing

Although Beijing is the capital of China, it has often been regarded as the less glamorous sister to glitzy Shanghai, that is, until the arrival of the 2008 Olympics. Touted as being China’s “coming out party” in much of the media, the 2008 Olympics also served as an opportunity for Beijing to show off its new facelift and snag a spot on the world stage. Beijing rightfully reminded the international community of its position as the nation’s political, educational, and cultural capital. Home to a complex array of modern and historic buildings, it also boasts some of the world’s most fascinating historical sites. In addition to all the new iconic architecture dotting the city, like the “Bird’s Nest” Olympic Stadium and fanciful CCTV tower, Beijing is best-known for its cultural relics including the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, the Summer Palace, the Templ…