Beijing 北京- the Northern Capital & the Great Wall 长城
I went to Beijing with a couple of friends on a Korean tour during the Lunar New Year holiday of 2004 and I can honestly say the only time I’ve been colder than walking across a windswept Tiananmen Square was the next day atop of the Great Wall. She was cold. I’d estimate a good 20 below Celsius with the icy Siberian winds adding another 10 to the chill factor. But, it was well and truly worth the numbing discomfort as this is one truly great city and a must for any avid traveller.
The name Beijing - the most recent of its several names – means ‘northern capital’ which about in 1421 when the Yongle Emperor switched the Ming Dynasty capital north from Nanjing, which aptly means ‘southern capital’. The city has since remained the seat of power of the nation we now know as China ever since, barring the period of 1928 to 1949 when the Republic of China had Nanjing as its capital, and not including from the war years of 1937 to 1945 when the capital was Chongqing.
Three thousand years old, witness to scores of dynasties and invaders, Beijing exudes history at every corner. Yet, it also exudes something else, power. And, with that authority. Being the capital of the largest nation on Earth and all under the control of the one central authoritarian party (the CCP) necessitates stringent vigilance and order. And, the seemingly constant presence of Police and Army personnel at every corner ensures you remember that this is the capital, not Shanghai or one of the many other upstarts along the coast, and that you will behave when in the capital or face the consequences.
Located on the northern tip of the North China Plain, Beijing has always been prone to invaders, being relatively defenceless against northern hordes, notably Mongols and Manchus, raiding and ransacking the city. A definitive security barrier was required,and the answer was the Great Wall of China.
Stretching over 8,000 kilometres and being in existence – in one form or another – since the 5th century BC – the Great Wall is quite simply a marvel of human endeavour, ingenuity and effort. Yet, it also has had its tragic history with thousands upon thousands over the years killed building, maintaining and guarding the wall along its entirety particularly during times of war or famine, or during the bitterly cold winter months.
Beijing is a city with an almost unsurpassed history yet with a promising and prominent future. Like the days of the Silk Road when thousands flocked east, these days, millions from all manner of nations and walks of life – are flocking to the northern capital to share knowledge, interact, learn, and experience all this grand city has to offer.
The Summer Palace ... in winter
Flags on Tiananmen Square
On the march .. across Tiananmen Square
The Great Wall of China
China's Great Wall
Forbidden City scene
Ben
