Beijing, the vibrant capital of China, has a long and complex history reflected in its many names over the centuries. This listicle covers the ten most significant historical names of Beijing, explaining their origins and what they reveal about the city’s evolving identity. Whether you’re a history enthusiast, student, or traveler curious about China’s rich past, this guide will deepen your understanding of how Beijing’s name changed with dynasties and political shifts.
Ji (蓟)
Before becoming known as Beijing, the area was originally called Ji during the Zhou Dynasty (c. 1046–256 BCE). Ji was the name of an ancient state and later a city that served as a regional center. Archaeological findings show Ji was a fortified settlement, highlighting its early strategic importance in northern China.
Yanjing (燕京)
During the Warring States period (475–221 BCE), the area was the capital of the State of Yan, hence the name Yanjing, meaning “Capital of Yan.” This name reflects Beijing’s role as a political and military hub for the Yan kingdom, which fiercely resisted Qin unification efforts. Yanjing remained a significant regional name well into later dynasties, symbolizing local identity.
Jicheng (蓟城)
Jicheng, or “City of Ji,” was a common name during the Qin (221–206 BCE) and Han (206 BCE–220 CE) dynasties. It referred specifically to the walled city built on the site of ancient Ji. This name emphasizes the city’s continuity as a key administrative center and military garrison in northern China under imperial rule.
Yanjing (燕京) Revival in the Liao Dynasty
The Khitan-led Liao Dynasty (907–1125) revived the name Yanjing for the city, underscoring its importance as a secondary capital. The Liao rulers used this name to assert their control over traditional Han Chinese territories and to legitimize their rule over a multi-ethnic empire.
Zhongdu (中都)
Under the Jin Dynasty (1115–1234), founded by the Jurchens, the city was renamed Zhongdu, meaning “Central Capital.” This name marked Beijing’s elevated political status as the dynasty’s main capital and a center of power in northern China. The city was extensively rebuilt as a fortified imperial capital during this period.
Dadu (大都)
When the Mongols established the Yuan Dynasty (1271–1368), they renamed the city Dadu, or “Great Capital.” Kublai Khan ordered massive urban planning projects, turning Dadu into a cosmopolitan imperial capital with grand palaces and temples. This name reflects Beijing’s zenith as the heart of a vast Eurasian empire.
Beiping (北平)
After the fall of the Yuan Dynasty, the Ming Dynasty initially renamed the city Beiping, meaning “Northern Peace.” This name was used during the early Ming period (1368–1421) when the capital was at Nanjing. Beiping signified the city’s role as a northern frontier garrison and administrative center rather than the imperial capital.
Shuntian Prefecture (顺天府)
Under the Ming and Qing dynasties, the area around Beijing was part of Shuntian Prefecture, an administrative division established to govern the capital region. While not a city name per se, Shuntian played a key role in the bureaucratic organization that supported Beijing’s imperial functions.
Jingshi (京师)
Jingshi, literally “Capital City,” was an official term used during the Ming and Qing dynasties to refer to Beijing as the seat of imperial power. It underscored Beijing’s status as the political and cultural heart of China, especially after the Ming moved the capital from Nanjing to Beijing in 1421.
Beijing (北京)
The modern name Beijing, meaning “Northern Capital,” was officially adopted during the Ming Dynasty when the capital was permanently established there in the 15th century. The name contrasts with Nanjing, the “Southern Capital.” Beijing has retained this name ever since, symbolizing its central role in China’s political landscape.
How to Choose
Choosing which historical name of Beijing to focus on depends on your interest in specific periods or cultural contexts. If you want to understand ancient regional dynamics, names like Ji and Yanjing are key. For medieval imperial history, Zhongdu and Dadu highlight Beijing’s role as a capital under different dynasties. For modern Chinese history, Beiping and Beijing reflect political shifts and urban development. Consider what era or theme fascinates you most—whether ancient states, Mongol rule, or Ming-Qing imperial power—to select the name that best suits your study or curiosity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why did Beijing have so many different names?
Because it was ruled by various dynasties and ethnic groups, each renaming the city to reflect their political authority and cultural identity.
Q: When did Beijing officially become the capital of China?
Beijing was officially made the capital during the Ming Dynasty in 1421, when the Yongle Emperor moved the imperial court there from Nanjing.
Q: What does “Beijing” mean?
Beijing means “Northern Capital,” indicating its geographic position relative to Nanjing, the “Southern Capital.”
Q: Was Beijing always the largest city in northern China?
Not always. Earlier capitals like Ji and Yanjing were important regional centers, but Beijing’s rise as the dominant northern city solidified especially during the Yuan and Ming dynasties.
Q: How did the Mongols influence Beijing’s development?
The Mongols transformed Beijing into Dadu, a grand imperial capital with extensive urban planning, making it a political and cultural hub of the Yuan Empire.
Q: Are any parts of ancient Beijing’s old names still visible today?
Yes, areas like the old city walls and historic districts trace back to the Jin and Yuan dynasties when the city was known as Zhongdu and Dadu.
Final Thoughts
Beijing’s many names tell the story of a city that has evolved through conquest, cultural integration, and political transformation. Each name—from Ji to Dadu to Beiping—reflects a unique chapter in its history, revealing how Beijing grew from a regional stronghold into one of the world’s great capitals. Understanding these names enriches our appreciation of Beijing’s layered identity and the historical forces that shaped modern China.
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