Beijing has an ancient heritage as a capital city. It has successfully transitioned from being an administrative centre for the Emperors to a powerhouse and hub for the government of the People's Republic of China. Beijing's mix of historic hutongs and amazing modern buildings fascinates the whole world.The world's great cities are more than just interesting places to visit. They are also centres of business government and culture. While all big cities face similar challenges in providing services for their inhabitants it is each city's unique features that we want to explore if we are ever lucky enough to travel there.