Beijing

Beijing

杨颖甄2015280370

Of all the cities that I have ever lived in, I find Beijing city is the most interesting city to live in. The city Beijing has a rich history that goes back to 3,000 years ago. Beijing had been the capital states of Ji and Yan for centuries before the unification in China took place. It also served as a provincial city in northern china, and today, it serves as the capital city of China.

Among all of the dynasties that have been known to the world, Ming Dynasty particulary catches my mind. In 1368, Zhu Yuanzhang founded the Ming Dynasty in the Nanjing on the Yangtze River. During that period, his general Xu Da was ordered to capture the last Yuan emperor, Dadu. Dadu’s imperial palace was annihilated and the city itself was renamed Beiping. Nanjing then became the capital city of the new dynasty. The throne was passed on Zhu Yunwen, who later had a power struggle with his uncle in Beiping. In 1402, after the civil war ended, Zhu Di took over Nanjing and declared himself as Yongle Emperor. As he was not pleased staying in Nanjing, he executed hundreds in Nanjing for those who were loyalty to their predecesor. In1403, the emperor moved the capital city from Nanjing to Beijing (Northern Capital). The system became a centrally administered city like Nanjing. The emperor decided to take a massive reconstruction program for Beijing, which later it became Beijing’s most iconic historical site – the Forbidden City. In addition, Temple of Heaven was also built for Yongle’s capital.

However, during the late Ming dynasty, Beijing faced many threats from both within and beyong the Great Wall. In 1629, the Manchus, who were the descendants of the Jurchens, raided Beijing. Nevertheless, they were defeated outside the wall by commander Yuan Chonghuan. After retreating to the north, Manchu leader, Hong Taiji, using his tricky method managed to trick Chongzhen Emperor into believing that his own commander had betrayed him. He then executed commander...