Beijing’s Gastronomy

Chinese vendors prepare steaming pork buns on sale at a sidewalk stall in Beijing, file photo. Wheat more so than rice is the staple starch in Beijing and the North because of the colder climate. So popular dishes in the region are made from wheat flour such as pasta, pancakes, and steamed buns.  (Teh Eng Koon/AFP/Getty Images)

Located in northern China, Beijing is one of the largest cities in the country. In terms of population, it is second only to the city of Shanghai. In addition to being the largest, is the hub of all the communications, railroads, highways, and routes. It’s also known as the cultural, political, and social heart of China.