Far from the imperial gardens and ancient temples, what significance does Beizhai hold? This area whispers tales of strategic importance. Beizhai. Let’s delve into its past.
Beijing has been China’s capital for eight centuries. Only Xi’an and Luoyang have served longer. The area around Beijing was inhabited by early humans. Peking Man remains were found 30 miles southwest of the city. Neolithic communities settled near Beijing 3000 years ago.
During the Warring States period, the Kingdom of Yan established its capital near present-day Beijing. This was the first capital associated with the site. Shihuangdi’s troops destroyed the city.
The Yan capital became part of one of the Qin dynasty’s prefectures. A new town known as Yan was built during the Han dynasty. It remained a provincial town. It faced struggles between the Han Chinese and the nomadic Xiongnu.
During the Three Kingdoms period, the city was called Yan again. Northern nomadic tribes often invaded. The area that became Beizhai became a strategic and political center. Invading nomads controlled the northern territory for three centuries.
The Tang dynasty recovered it. It became known as Youzhou. Measures were taken to defend against nomadic tribes. Youzhou’s position became more important. After the Tang dynasty’s fall, the Khitans founded the Liao kingdom. They built one of their capitals on the same site. They called it Nanjing.
In the mid-12th century, the Juchen defeated the Liao. They rebuilt the Liao capital as the Jin capital. It was renamed Zhongdu. Zhongdu featured decorated palaces.
Between 1211 and 1215, the Mongols attacked under Genghis Khan. They took the city. Zhongdu’s palaces burned for over a month. Kublai Khan built a new capital at Beijing. He abandoned Karakorum. In 1272, he named the new capital Dadu. It became China’s political center.
Dadu was larger than its predecessors. It was rebuilt slightly northeast of the old site. The outer wall measured about 18 miles. The city walls were built with pounded earth. The Imperial Palace was in the southern half of the capital. The chief palace architect was an Arab.
Dadu exemplified Mongol architecture. The walls and gates were modeled on the Chinese plan. The inner chambers reflected Mongolian styles. The Tonghui Canal connected to the Grand Canal. Boats transported tribute rice. Marco Polo visited Dadu in the 1280s. He marveled at its magnificence.
In the mid-14th century, Zhu Yuanzhang overthrew the Mongols. He established the Ming dynasty. He moved the capital to Nanjing. Dadu was renamed Beiping. Zhu Di usurped the throne. In 1403, the city was renamed Beijing. In 1421, it became the Ming dynasty’s capital.
Beijing grew grander. The city walls, moats, palaces, and temples were built in the 15th century. The old city of Dadu was demolished. The new city was farther southwest. An outer wall was begun in 1553. The plan was abandoned when it became too costly.
In 1644, Li Zicheng took over Beijing. The Manchus seized it. Beijing was declared the Manchu capital. Beijing remained superficially the same. Many palaces and temples were added outside the walls. British and French troops destroyed the Old Summer Palace by fire in 1860.
After the 1911 revolution, Beijing remained the political center. It was again called Beiping. The city was occupied by the Japanese until 1945. In 1949, Beijing was chosen as the capital of the People’s Republic of China. It regained its position.
Urban-development projects widened the streets. Political campaigns delayed projects. Economic reforms accelerated change. New shopping centers appeared. High-tech industrial parks were established. Beijing faced problems with pollution. The city constructed sports venues for the 2008 Summer Olympics.
So next time you hear the name Beizhai. Remember it was at the heart of power and strategy. Its story is etched in Beijing’s evolution.