<P> Beijing , ( / beɪˈdʒɪŋ / ) formerly romanized as Peking , is the capital of the People 's Republic of China and the world 's second most populous city proper and most populous capital city . The city , located in northern China , is governed as a direct - controlled municipality under the national government with 16 urban , suburban , and rural districts . Beijing Municipality is surrounded by Hebei Province with the exception of neighboring Tianjin Municipality to the southeast ; together the three divisions form the Jingjinji metropolitan region and the national capital region of China . </P>
where is beijing located on the world map
in northern China