Beijing is the capital of the most populous country in the world, the People's Republic of China, a place with a fabled past facing a 21st century future as one of the world's great metropolises. It was also the seat of the Ming and Qing dynasty emperors until the formation of a republic in 1911.Beijing is the political, educational and cultural centre of the country and as such it is rich in historical sites and important government and cultural institutions. Beijing hosted the 2008 Summer Olympic Games.