“Why does this stone gate remnant stand here?” I ask you now. The \u53e4\u9053\u77f3\u95e8\u9057\u5740 is more than just an old gate. It is a fragment from Beijing’s long past. Beijing’s story stretches back 3,000 years. It rivals London in age. It dwarfs New York and Sydney.
Beijing has served as the capital for six notable Chinese governments. Imagine China being ruled from here for over 700 years. This explains the wealth of historical sites around us.
The city wasn’t always called Beijing. Before settling on that name in 1403, it had many names. Jicheng, Yanjing, Nanjing, Zhongdu, Dadu, and Beiping were all names for this city. Beijing, meaning Northern Capital, was the 16th name.
Beijing is home to seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Consider the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, and the Summer Palace. The Temple of Heaven, the Ming Tombs, Peking Man Site at Zhoukoudian, and the Grand Canal are also listed.
The \u53e4\u9053\u77f3\u95e8\u9057\u5740 reminds us of the Yan State Capital during the Warring States Period in 221 BC. It reminds us of the Yuan Dynasty in 1271. It was a national capital then. It became the Ming Dynasty capital in 1402. It was also the Qing Dynasty capital in 1644. Beijing became the Republic of China capital in 1912. Mao Zedong inaugurated the People’s Republic of China here on October 1, 1949.
Think of the emperors walking through gates like this. They were on their way to the Temple of Heaven. They went there to pray for good harvests. That temple was first built in 1420.
Consider Kublai Khan choosing Beijing as his capital in 1264. It became the center for controlling his vast Yuan Empire. He named the city Dadu. Marco Polo even wrote about its size and prosperity.
Emperor Yongle of the Ming Dynasty rebuilt Beijing. From 1406 to 1420, he led a massive reconstruction. He built the Forbidden City. He also renovated the Grand Canal. He wanted to protect himself within the city walls.
The Ming Dynasty also constructed the Great Wall. It was especially strong around Beijing. It stretched for thousands of kilometers.
The Manchu invaders established the Qing Empire. Beijing remained their capital. They preserved the Forbidden City. The city flourished once again.
The \u53e4\u9053\u77f3\u95e8\u9057\u5740 stands as a silent witness. It reminds us that Beijing has been the capital of China for 700 years. Dynasties rose and fell. The city transformed. Yet, Beijing remained a center of power. It remains a cultural hub.