Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Like the emperors before them, the communists significantly altered the face
of Beijing. The
pailou
(decorative archways) were brought down and whole city
blocks were pulverised to widen major boulevards. From 1950 to 1952, the
city's magnificent outer walls were levelled in the interests of traffic circulation.
The past quarter of a century has transformed Beijing into a modern city,
with skyscrapers, shopping malls and an ever-expanding subway system.
