Beijing Cityscapes

Beijing was first designated a capital city during the Liao Dynasty (916-1125) when was named South Capital. After the Jin Dynasty (1115-1234) took over the city, it was expanded and named Central Capital. Later, Kublai Khan of the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368) built Dadu in the northeastern suburbs of Central Capital, which then became a international metropolis. During the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties the rulers reconstructed and expanded the imperial palaces and other parts of the city, without altering the framework of streets of the former Dadu. Throughout history Beijing has served as the capital of China several times, due to an overall consideration of geographical, personnel, economic, political and military factors. It has made great contributions to the unity of China's different ethnic groups and the unification of the Chinese nation.