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Beijing Gears Up for Its Turn in the Spotlight

As it prepares for the upcoming Olympics, this ancient Chinese capital is racing to catch up with the 21st century — and meet the rest of the world.

By Heidi Mitchell

Print Beijing Gears Up for Its Turn in the Spotlight

National pride on display near the walls of Beijing's Forbidden City. Many see the 2008 Summer Olympics as an opportunity to present their country to the rest of the world.

Swiss architectural firm Herzog & de Meuron's National Stadium, dubbed the Bird's Nest and perhaps the most recognizable symbol of the Olympics and Beijing's forward motion.

One of the 4,550 <i>hutongs</i> -- the 13th-century alleyways that make up much of Beijing's residential neighborhoods -- that remain in the city.

The Forbidden City, lush and green beneath the smog in Beijing.

A typical Beijing household pet in its cage.

The towers of the CCTV Headquarters were designed by Rem Koolhaas's OMA architects.

Sun-shy visitors at the entrance to the Forbidden City in Beijing. Some ten million tourists from around the world visit the royal compound annually.

A musician playing an <i>erhu</i> in a <i>hutong</i> in Beijing.

A resident of Beijing photographed near the entrance to the Forbidden City.

A guest in Commune's Peacock Room, a private dining room with a wall of feathers.

A Beijing girl in a traditional cheongsam dress.

Inside the Bamboo House, one of forty-two villas at Commune by the Great Wall Kempinski, a boutique hotel an hour and a half from Beijing.

A typical Beijing noodle shop in a central <i>hutong</i>.

National pride on display near the walls of Beijing's Forbidden City. Many see the 2008 Summer Olympics as an opportunity to present their country to the rest of the world.
Andrew Rowat

Swiss architectural firm Herzog & de Meuron's National Stadium, dubbed the Bird's Nest and perhaps the most recognizable symbol of the Olympics and Beijing's forward motion.
Andrew Rowat

One of the 4,550 hutongs -- the 13th-century alleyways that make up much of Beijing's residential neighborhoods -- that remain in the city.
Andrew Rowat

The Forbidden City, lush and green beneath the smog in Beijing.
Andrew Rowat

A typical Beijing household pet in its cage.
Andrew Rowat

The towers of the CCTV Headquarters were designed by Rem Koolhaas's OMA architects.
Andrew Rowat

Sun-shy visitors at the entrance to the Forbidden City in Beijing. Some ten million tourists from around the world visit the royal compound annually.
Andrew Rowat

A musician playing an erhu in a hutong in Beijing.
Andrew Rowat

A resident of Beijing photographed near the entrance to the Forbidden City.
Andrew Rowat

A guest in Commune's Peacock Room, a private dining room with a wall of feathers.
Andrew Rowat

A Beijing girl in a traditional cheongsam dress.
Andrew Rowat

Inside the Bamboo House, one of forty-two villas at Commune by the Great Wall Kempinski, a boutique hotel an hour and a half from Beijing.
Andrew Rowat