%Beijing Story%

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Features: What is the origin of the name Beijing? This story begins with the founding Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang of the Ming Dynasty establishing Nanjing as the capital. At that time, Beijing was merely the fiefdom of Zhu Yuanzhang's son, Prince Yan Zhu Di, known as Shuntianfu. Later, Zhu Di plotted and launched a coup here, seizing the throne and ultimately ascending to the imperial throne. After Zhu Di was enthroned in Beijing, he immediately renamed Shuntianfu as Beijing. The "North" in Beijing's name was chosen in contrast to the "South" in Nanjing's name. Thus, in history, Nanjing came first, followed by the name Beijing. The character "Jing" in Beijing, in ancient Chinese, means "great." So, which came first—the name Beijing or the term Beiping? Before Beijing was known as Shuntianfu, in 1368, Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang of the Ming Dynasty ordered General Xu Da to launch a northern campaign, capturing the Yuan Dynasty capital Dadu and renaming it Beipingfu. Therefore, the name Beiping likely appeared before Beijing. Until the founding of New China, the names Beijing and Beiping alternated in China's map. From the ancient city of Ji, the Jin Dynasty capital Zhongdu, the Yuan Dynasty capital Dadu, to the Ming and Qing Dynasty capitals, Beijing has undergone a continuous process of development. During this time, many relics have vanished, and many past events have been forgotten. Only fragments of the former imperial city remain. The author has compiled only a portion of these fragments, leaving behind a glimpse of memory for the capital and guiding readers to explore the magnificent former palaces and ancient sites.