About Beijing

know more about Beijing

For centuries Beijing has been a magnet for scholars, merchants and artists who have given it a a cultural life unrivalled in China. Beijing culture is a fusion of indigenous and imported traditions since the populace has always included provincial and ehnic minorities.

Local history begins some 500,000 years ago at a time when the north China plain, which encompasses Beijing, was covered in semitropical forest and dotted with lakes. Modern human beings began to settle in the area around 3000 BC, surviving on rudimentary agriculture and animal husbandry.

During the Eastern Zhou Dynasty (c. 11th century-771 B.C.), the Spring and Autumn Period (770-476 B.C.) and the Warring States Period (475-221 B.C.), Beijing was the capital city of the State of Yan, which was ruled by dukes or princes under the emperor. From the Qin Dynasty (221-207 B.C.) and the Han Dynasty (206 B.C.) to the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127),Beijing was a major city and also a strategic point in northern China.

During the Song dynasty, a tribe from teh Mongolian steppes called the Qidan swept down into north Chian and founded the Liao dynasty, eventually making their capital, called Yanjing, at what is now Beijing. The name Yanjing survies today as a brand of a popular local beer.

The Liao was in turn defeated in 1125 by invaders form Manchuria. The latter founded the Jin dynasty and ruled much of north China from their capital , Z hongdu, which also stood n present-day Beijing. Graced with handsome palaces, Zhongdu had over a million residents-roughly the population size of ancient Rome at its peak in the 1st century AD. In 1215, Kublai, Genghis's grandson, completed the Mongol conquest of China, crowning himself emperor and founding the Yuan dynasty in 1271, then he built his capital, Dadu, on the ruins of Zhongdu. It was the first time that all of China was governed from the city would become Beijing.

In 1368, a former peasant and rebel leader named Zhu Yuanzhang overthrew the Yuan dynasty, took Dadu and established the Ming dynasty. He renamed the city Beiping, meaning Northern Peace.

In 1644, the Manchus conquered Beijing. By adopting the Ming administrative system, embracing Confucian values and maintaining a strong army, the Manchus were able to co-opt the scholarly gentry class and remain in power until 1911.

In 1928, the capital ws moved to Nanjing and Beijing was once again renamed Beiping, a name that it held until 1949. During this period, Beijing was the scene of much political upheaval. On January 31, 1949, the victorious People's Liberation Army entered the city and in Tian'anmen Spuare on October 1, 1949, Mao Zedong proclaimed the founding of the People's Republic of China.

Attractions

Tian'anmen Square is the spiritual heart of the world's most populous country. On the spuare's north end is the Gate of Heavenly Pease, which heads towards the Forbidden City. The abode of 24 Ming and Qing emperors of the Celestial Empire, the Forbidden City is a fittingly awe-inspiring sight.

With its handsome buildings, pretty scenery and tumultuous history, the Summer Palace is wonderful place to explore.

The Great Wall is a remarkable piece of engineering and is the most famous symbol China. Major sections of it are Badaling, Mutianyu and Simatai.