Pekin Blog

2. Beijing is a 6-times capital city.
The Tian'anmen SquareThe Tian'anmen Square
Beijing has been the capital to six notable Chinese governments. China has been ruled from Beijing for over 700 years, which is why there are so many historical sites to explore.

221 BC: Yan State Capital, Warring States Period
1271: first a national capital for the Yuan Dynasty
1402: Became Ming Dynasty (1368–1644) capital
1644: Qing Dynasty capital
1912: Republic of China capital
October 1, 1949: The people's Republic of China inaugurated by Mao Zedong
3. Beijing was not always called Beijing.
Before settling in on the name “Beijing” in 1403, the city had a series of names: Jicheng (‘City of Ji’), Yanjing (Capital of Yan’), Nanjing (‘Southern Capital’), Zhongdu (‘Central Capital’), Dadu (‘Great Capital’), Beiping (‘Central Peace’), etc. Beijing (‘Northern Capital’) was the 16th name given to the city.

See more on Beijing History.

4. Beijing is home to seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites
The Temple of HeavenThe Temple of Heaven
Beijing’s long and rich history has left behind an abundant historic and cultural heritage, including seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, the Summer Palace, the Temple of Heaven, the Ming Tombs, Peking Man Site at Zhoukoudian, and the Grand Canal.

Our Essence of Beijing tour covers four of them. Their magnificent and well-preserved architecture was constructed hundreds of years ago.

The Great Wall is one of the greatest sights in the world - the longest wall in the world, an awe-inspiring feat of ancient defensive architecture.
The Forbidden City is the largest palace in the world. It is also China's best-preserved imperial palace and the essence and culmination of traditional Chinese architectural accomplishment.
The Temple of Heaven is considered the holiest of Beijing's imperial temples.
The Summer Palace is the world’s largest imperial garden, where emperors spent their summers.

Beijing has been the capital to six notable Chinese governments. China has been ruled from Beijing for over 700 years, which is why there are so many historical sites to explore.

221 BC: Yan State Capital, Warring States Period
1271: first a national capital for the Yuan Dynasty
1402: Became Ming Dynasty (1368–1644) capital
1644: Qing Dynasty capital
1912: Republic of China capital
October 1, 1949: The people's Republic of China inaugurated by Mao Zedong