Old Beijing History Photos

Author: Hu Piyun
Publisher:
Publish Date: 1997-08-01
Features: "As people come and go, time passes and history unfolds. The land remains with its wonders, and we visit it again." Time flies, and the old changes into the new. Today, Beijing is the capital of the great People's Republic of China, an international metropolis full of vitality and prosperity. As we look back on the past, we have compiled these precious photographs over the years into a collection to present to our readers, hoping that they can glimpse the rise and fall, the past glories and present changes of ancient Beijing, and thus love the present even more, full of confidence in creating a brighter future.
The history of Beijing dates back fifty thousand years to the "Peking Man" at Zhoukoudian; as a cradle of civilization, it has had three thousand years of uninterrupted urban development since King Wu of Zhou enfeoffed Zhao Gong to Yan; and as a gathering place of culture, it has been a capital for a thousand years since Emperor Taizong of Liao established Yanjing as a secondary capital in the year Huoheng (938). Through the ages, it has seen the rise and fall of five dynasties. Sometimes a transportation hub, sometimes a military stronghold, and sometimes an imperial capital, Beijing has grown increasingly prosperous alongside the development of the Chinese nation. How many emperors, generals, and heroes have risen to prominence and achieved greatness here? How many scholars and talented writers have composed great works and gained fame? And how many common people, skilled craftsmen, have worked diligently and created with their wisdom and labor? Countless ordinary people have, with their intelligence and hard work, created the brilliant material and spiritual wealth of Beijing.