History of Beijing

The city of Beijing has a long and rich history that dates back over 3,000 years. Before China was united under the First Emperor in 221 BC, Beijing was an important place for the ancient states of Ji and Yan. It was a local center during the early empires of Qin and Han. Because it was near the border, Beijing often saw people from faraway lands coming through, which helped it grow.

Over time, Beijing became even more important. In the 10th to 13th centuries, leaders from the Khitan and Jurchen peoples made it a capital. Later, when Kublai Khan chose Dadu as the capital of the Mongol-led Yuan dynasty, all of China was ruled from there for the first time. From 1279 until today, with just a few short breaks, Beijing has been the heart of China’s government. It was the capital for the Ming dynasty, the Manchu-led Qing dynasty, the early Republic of China, and now the People's Republic of China.

Prehistory

The earliest signs of people living in the area now known as Beijing Municipality were found in caves at Dragon Bone Hill near the village of Zhoukoudian in Fangshan District. These caves held remains of ancient humans called Homo erectus and later homo sapiens, showing that people lived here from around 770,000 years ago up until about 10,000 years ago.

In 1996, workers found many old tools and bone pieces at a building site in Wangfujing in central Beijing, in Dongcheng District. These items are from the Stone Age, between 24,000 and 25,000 years old, and are kept in a special museum. Archaeologists have found more than 40 places where ancient farmers lived and buried their dead across the whole area. These discoveries show that farming was common here 6,000 to 7,000 years ago. The pottery and beautiful carved stones from these places look similar to those from a culture far to the north called the Hongshan Culture.

Pre-imperial history

The early history of Beijing is filled with ancient stories and legends. One famous tale is the Battle of Banquan, which may have happened near modern-day Beijing around the 26th century BC. This battle is said to have helped unite early tribes under what later became known as the Chinese nation.

Beijing was an important city for two ancient states, Ji and Yan. Archaeologists have found evidence that Ji was located in what is now southern Beijing. Yan became a powerful state and made Beijing its capital for many years. The city was a key stop for traders traveling along important routes, offering rest and supplies. Over time, Yan grew to become one of the major powers in ancient China before being conquered by the state of Qin in 221 BC.

Early imperial history

See also: Youzhou, Guangyang Commandery, Yuyang Commandery, and Yan Kingdom (Han dynasty)

During the early years of China’s history, Beijing was an important city in the northern part of the country. It helped connect the central areas of China with people living farther north and northeast.

When the Qin dynasty ruled China, they organized the land into smaller areas called commanderies. Beijing became part of two of these, Guangyang and Yuyang. The Qin dynasty also built roads and protected the area by constructing parts of the Great Wall. Later, during the Han dynasty, Beijing continued to be an important city, serving as a capital for a region known as Youzhou. Over time, different groups, including the Xiongnu and other northern tribes, influenced the area. Beijing remained a key location for trade and defense throughout these early periods.

Liao, Song and Jin dynasties

Though Beijing was far from the centers of Chinese dynasties based in Luoyang and Xi'an, it was an important gateway for tribes from the north. The city's importance grew from the 10th century as invasions from groups like the Khitans, Jurchens, and Mongols led to the founding of new dynasties, including the Liao dynasty, Jin dynasty and Yuan dynasty.

The Liao dynasty made Beijing, called Nanjing, one of its four secondary capitals. Important landmarks from this time include Niujie Mosque, the oldest mosque in Beijing, and the Pagoda of Tianning Temple. The city grew as people from northern tribes and southern China moved there.

Later, the Jin dynasty made Beijing their capital, renaming it Zhongdu. They expanded the city and built important structures, including Taiye Lake and Beihai Park. The city's population grew greatly during this time.

Main article: Nanjing (Liao dynasty)

Main article: Zhongdu

Yuan dynasty

Main article: Khanbaliq

Kublai Khan made Beijing the capital of the Yuan dynasty. He chose the city because of its good location and began building a new part called Dadu. The city grew quickly and became an important place for trade and culture. Many visitors from different countries came to see it.

The new capital, Dadu, was built around a beautiful island and had wide streets and many lakes. It was designed to be a grand city that showed the power of the Yuan Empire. Famous buildings and temples were constructed, showing a mix of different styles from across Asia. The city became a center for learning and art, attracting writers and scholars from many places.

Ming dynasty

The Yongle Emperor moved the capital of the Ming dynasty from Nanjing to Beijing in 1421. He built the Forbidden City, which took from 1406 to 1420 to complete.

In 1368, Zhu Yuanzhang started the Ming dynasty in Nanjing on the Yangtze River. His general Xu Da captured Dadu, and the last Yuan emperor left to the steppes. Dadu was renamed Beiping. Two years later, Zhu Yuanzhang gave Beiping to his son Zhu Di, who became the Prince of Yan. Zhu Di took control in 1402 after a civil war and became the Yongle Emperor. In 1403, he renamed Beiping to Beijing, meaning "Northern Capital," and made it the main capital in 1421. From 1403 to 1420, he prepared Beijing with big building projects, including the Forbidden City and the Temple of Heaven.

After Yongle’s death in 1424, his son the Hongxi Emperor wanted to move the capital back to Nanjing but died soon after. His grandson, the Xuande Emperor, kept the capital in Beijing. Most of the Great Wall in northern Beijing was built during the Ming dynasty. Many of Beijing’s old city walls were torn down in the 1960s, but some parts remain, like the Zhengyang Gate. Beijing was one of the largest cities in the world during the Ming dynasty. Important places like the Great Wall of China, the Hall of Supreme Harmony in the Forbidden City, the Temple of Heaven, and the Ming Tombs are now UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Qing dynasty

Prince regent Dorgon led the Manchus to take control of Beijing in 1644. He preserved important traditions and moved the capital there, making Beijing the center of the new Qing dynasty. The city's population grew again after a decline during earlier conflicts.

The Qing rulers kept much of Beijing's layout and built beautiful gardens outside the city. They also made Beijing's way of speaking the standard language across the country. Over time, Beijing became a lively city with markets, theaters, and many important shops that still exist today.

Republic of China

The Qing dynasty ended in 1911 with the Xinhai Revolution, but Beijing stayed the capital of the new Republic of China. Former Qing general Yuan Shikai took control of the government and ruled from Beijing until 1928. That year, Chinese Nationalists reunified the country and moved the capital to Nanjing, renaming Beijing to Beiping.

In 1937, a clash between Chinese and Japanese troops near Beiping started the Second Sino-Japanese War. Japanese forces occupied the city and renamed it Beijing as part of a puppet government. After Japan’s surrender in 1945, the city returned to Chinese control and was renamed Beiping again. During the civil war between Nationalists and Communists, the city was peacefully taken by Communist forces in 1949 and renamed Beijing, becoming the capital of the People’s Republic of China.

People's Republic of China

On October 1, 1949, Mao Zedong stood atop the rostrum of Tiananmen Gate, proclaiming the founding of the People's Republic of China. The city's name was restored to Beijing, which again served as the national capital. Over the next sixty years, the city grew in both size and importance, becoming a major political and cultural center.

During this time, Beijing saw many changes. New buildings were constructed to reflect the ideals of a new government, and the city expanded both in area and population. It became a center for education and research, and many institutions were relocated to the city. The city also experienced periods of challenge, including times of economic difficulty and political change, but continued to grow and develop through these years.