Ancient, modern, timeless
Beijing, at one point, was known as a cradle of humanity, before the title was hijacked on more recent historical evidence by the 'Cradle of Mankind' in South Africa.
The recorded history of Beijing or Peking, as it has been called, goes back 3 000 years in the written historical record, and far longer than that in terms of human evolution and settlement - it was where the remains of "Peking Man" and the first evidence of homo erectus, were discovered between 1929 and 1937 in Zhoukoudian, in the south west of present day Beijing. Fossils from ancient human settlements in caves date from 230 000 to 250 000 years ago, and Paleolithic homo sapiens lived there as recently as 27 000 years ago. There is evidence of agricultural cultivation and animal domestication five thousand years ago and archaeological artefacts include evidence of the use of fire, stone tools, bone needles and jewellery.
Zhoulu, west of Beijing is thought to be the first ancient metropolis in the location.
Beijing, called Peking by encroaching western societies, is one of the most densely populated cities in the world, with a current population of around twenty million, and is the capital of the People's Republic of China. It is China's political, cultural, educational hub.
The Jin Dynasty began constructing the city of Beijing as its capital over 850 years ago in 1153 AD. It was seized by the Mongols in 1215 AD and later rebuilt by Kublai Khan and named Dadu during the Yuan Dynasty (1271 - 1368). In 1368 AD Ming troops renamed it Beiping after conquering the strategically significant northern capital.
First introduced to the west as a highly civilized, beautiful and spectacularly advanced cultural and architectural marvel by Marco Polo in his travel diaries in the 13the century, to this day, Beijing remains an important political centre for the People's Republic of China, forming a nexus of political, cultural, educational and international exchanges.
The tumultuous history of Beijing's Tian'anmen Square
Tian' anmen Square existed as far back as the Ming and Qing dynasties, during which time it was forbidden to common people. Common people who saw or gained entry to the square were arrested for the crime of "illegally peeping at the palace gate".
The May 4th Movement of 1919 broke out in Beijing's famous Tian'anmen Square. This was a demonstration of Chinese residents against imperialism and feudalism, beginning a new democratic era in China.
The May 30th Massacre in Shanghai of 1925 so enraged the Chinese that they held a mass rally in this ancient square to support their struggle.
In 1926, on March 18th, Beijing residents held a rally in the Tian'anmen Square, to denounce the Japanese warship invasion into China's territorial waters.
In 1935, December 9th, the Square was once again the locus of an anti-Japanese demonstration against Japanese aggression.
Another massive student demonstration demanding the formation of a coalition government took place here in May of 1947, opposing hunger and civil war.
One of the most famous events on the Square in recent history was the declaration to the world by Chairman Mao Zedong on 1st October 1949 of the founding of the People's Republic of China.
3rd June 1989, troops opened fire and killed several student demonstrators after three months of protests that began April 22, voicing discontent with Chinese politics.
When the People's Republic of China was founded on 1 October 1949, Beijing was made the capital city of the new republic.
Language and Culture of Beijing
The Beijing dialect spoken in the capital is a derivative of the Mandarin division of spoken Chinese.
The city has had a vibrant culture since way before Marco Polo wrote of the vibrancy of the people and magnificent architecture in the 13th century. To this day, the architecture, music, visual arts, literature, cuisine, traditional forms of Chinese theatre and Beijing Opera offer some of the most interesting experiences on the globe for visitors to the metropolis. The cuisine in Beijing is uniquely styled includes of all forms of traditional Chinese flavouring, and is thought to be the original home of Peking Duck and Beijing Roast Duck
Ancient and Modern Religions in Beijing
Though traditionally communist and not promoted by the 'state' in Beijing and through most of China, there is respect for all religions and people practise their various faiths freely. Ancient religions such as Taoism and Buddhism are popular religions, followed by Catholicism and other Christian practices and Islam. The city is scattered with places of worship that range from architecturally spectacular Buddhist temples, mosques and churches, as well as the non religious practises of Tai Chi and Martial arts which can be seen practised in parks and open air squares throughout the city
Quick Beijing facts
- Beijing means "the northern capital".
- Beijing is China's second most populous city after Shanghai, with around twenty million people living in the greater city municipality.
- It's the country's political, cultural, and educational centre
- It is the home of Tian' anmen Square, a longstanding locus of political demonstration
- The area around Beijing is home to some of the earliest cultural relics on record in China today.
- Archaeologically the remains of Peking man, his stone tools and evidence of use of fire can be found at sites around the city
- The 2008 Olympics were held in Beijing, 8-24 August, 2008
Beijing Historical Timeline:
500.000 BC
The various remains of the ancient homo erectus know as "Peking Man" are discovered in the 1920's. The ancient pre-humans settled the caves around present day Zhulodian.
770-221 BC
An ancient metropolis named Ji was built near today's Beijing.
916-1125 AD
The Liao Dynasty which occupied the city renames it Yanjing.
1153 AD
The Chin Dynasty renames the city Zhongdu and declares it the Central Capital and constructed the Lugon Bridge, now called the Marco Polo Bridge.
1215
Genghis Khan conquers Zhongdu and burns it to the ground after a seven-year siege.
1267
Kublai Khan moves the Mongolian capital to today's Beijing and names it Khanbaliq ("great residence of the Khan").
1368
The Ming Dynasty renames the city to Beiping (Northern Peace)
1397
The Ming Dynasty builds the Forbidden City or Imperial Palace. They also move teh court back to Beiping and rename the city to Beijing (the Northern Capital).
1644-1911
Sees the construction of the Summer Palace under the Qing Dynasty.
1900
Boxer Rebellion.
1911
After the enforced abdication of the Qing emperor and the Xinhai Revolution Beijing remained capital.
1916-1927
Warlords from the regions attempt to control Beijing.
1928
Beijing is again renamed Beiping.
1937-45
Beiping is occupied by Japan during World War II in July of 1937 and the city is once again renamed Beijing. Upon Japan's surrender in 1945 the name of the city reverts to Beiping.
1949
October 1, Mao Zedong and his Communist Forces proclaimed the establishment of the People's Republic of China in Tiananmen Square, Beijing.
