Lost, perhaps? That’s the feeling you might get standing at 1050\u7850\u53e3. Beijing’s history stretches back 3000 years. It rivals London in age.
Beijing wasn’t always Beijing. Before settling on that name in 1403 the city had many names. These include Jicheng and Yanjing. Beijing means Northern Capital.
Beijing has served as a capital city six times. It was the Yan State Capital in 221 BC. It became the Yuan Dynasty capital in 1271. Later it was the Ming Dynasty capital in 1402. Then the Qing Dynasty capital in 1644 and the Republic of China capital in 1912. Finally it became the People’s Republic of China capital in 1949.
Beijing is home to seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites. These include the Great Wall and the Forbidden City. The Summer Palace and the Temple of Heaven are also on the list. Don’t forget the Ming Tombs and Peking Man Site at Zhoukoudian. Lastly there is the Grand Canal.
Beijing is a cultural hub. It boasts unique architecture arts and cuisine. Beijing’s culture tour includes the Forbidden City. Explore the hutong lanes and enjoy Beijing opera. Don’t miss the Beijing roast duck.
Beijing is China’s second-largest city. Its municipality holds almost 22.5 million people. The city covers 16800 square kilometers.
Beijing is the number one China gateway city. Beijing Capital International Airport is the world’s second busiest. A 10-day visa-free transit policy makes travel easier.
The best times to visit Beijing are May and October. Beijing’s weather can be extreme. The highest temperature is 42 degrees Celsius. The lowest is -27 degrees Celsius.
Beijing hosted both the Summer and Winter Olympics. The Olympic Park is a major attraction. See the Bird’s Nest and the Water Cube. They showcase outstanding engineering.
Air quality in Beijing is improving. Efforts have reduced pollution in recent years.
Fresh stories of Beijing’s history continue to emerge. Archaeologists work hard to uncover details. Discoveries span 2000 years. They range from the Western Zhou Dynasty to the Qing Dynasty.
Beijing’s stint as a national capital began 871 years ago. The Jin Dynasty moved its capital to Beijing in 1153. They called it Zhongdu meaning central capital. It was located in today’s Xicheng and Fengtai districts.
Archaeologists recently discovered a gate from the Jin Zhongdu era. This is their first discovery of a Jin Zhongdu gate. It’s also their first time excavating one. The gate has two piers and a 6-meter doorway. Traces of wheels and hoofs suggest carriages and horses passed through.
Outside the gate is a horseshoe-shaped wengcheng. It’s a defensive enclosure built out of city gates. Inside the city the remains of two streets have been found.
The rulers of the Jin Dynasty used Confucian ideas to build Zhongdu. They built gates with names like Duanli Gate. Duanli Gate means benevolence righteousness propriety and wisdom.
Discoveries like these testify to Beijing’s long history as a capital. Beijing was the capital for more than 870 years. As you stand at 1050\u7850\u53e3 remember the layers of history beneath your feet.