Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
clad in a heavy hiking boot. As far as land mass goes, however, this isn't even one quarter
of the entire city. Beijing extends out in all directions for another 14,412 square kilometers
(5,565 square miles), divided up into 11 more districts as well as counties.
Some of these, mostly those in the north, will become places you head to for fun, re-
treats, or tourism. They are populated by mountains and trails, guesthouses, hotels, recre-
ational spots, winter ski fields, and, of course, the Great Wall.
Down in the south, things are a little different, and generally have a more industrial
nature to them. In districts such as Fengtai, Fangshan, and Daxing you'll find monstrous
sprawling markets, manufacturing, and agriculture. The government is pumping money into
various locations in these regions to boost industry even further. Two particular examples of
this are Yizhuang in Daxing and Liangxiang in Fangshang, both of which are being rapidly
transformed into new economic zones, and Liangxiang additionally into Beijing's second
university zone. New subway lines down into each area have sped up the progress, and
come 2017-2018, when Beijing opens its second international airport in southern Daxing,
they will be rocketed into even higher levels of development.
