Beijing, China

Fact 1 - Beijing has a vast, ancient "Underground City" (Dixià Chéng), built for defense in the 1970s. While largely closed to the public now, it features tunnels, rooms, and even an underground cinema.

Fact 2 - The Forbidden City was intentionally designed with 9,999.5 rooms, not a full 10,000, because the number 10,000 was traditionally reserved exclusively for the Emperor of Heaven.

Fact 3 - Beijing made history as the first city ever to host both the Summer Olympics (2008) and the Winter Olympics (2022), showcasing its unique infrastructure and global presence.

Fact 4 - Beijing boasts seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites within its municipal boundaries, including the Forbidden City, the Great Wall, and the Temple of Heaven, an unparalleled concentration of historical treasures.

Fact 5 - Every morning, Beijing's parks come alive with hundreds of residents engaged in diverse public exercises, from elegant Tai Chi and elaborate ballroom dancing to competitive shuttlecock kicking (Jianzi).

Fact 6 - The Summer Palace's Long Corridor is not just a beautiful promenade, but also the longest painted corridor in the world, stretching 728 meters and adorned with over 14,000 intricate paintings.

Fact 7 - Peking Opera (Jingju), a highly stylized performance art combining music, vocal performance, mime, dance, and acrobatics, originated in Beijing and is recognized as one of China's highest cultural treasures.

Fact 8 - For a truly quirky experience, you can still find professional "ear pickers" (er ke shi) in some older neighborhoods and parks, offering a traditional, specialized cleaning service.