
A Short History of Beijing
Jonathan Clements(Author)
Haus Publishing
Published on 17. January 2022
Book
Paperback/Softback
236 pages
978-1-913368-46-3 (ISBN)
Description
Before China's capital became a sprawling megacity and international centre of business and culture, its fortunes fluctuated under a dozen dynasties. It has been a capital for several states, including those headed by Mongolian chiefs and the glorious Ming emperors, whose tombs can still be found on its outskirts. And before all that, it was a campsite for primitive hominids, known as the Peking Man.
A Short History of Beijing tells the story of this remarkable city, from its more famous residents - Khubilai Khan, Mulan, and Marco Polo - right up to the twenty-first century, as modern construction wipes out so much of the old city to make way for its twenty-million-strong population. Through his timely and intimate portrait of the world's most populous capital city, Jonathan Clements reveals the history of China itself.
This first paperback edition includes a new final chapter, taking the history of Beijing up to the 2022 Winter Olympics and beyond.
A Short History of Beijing tells the story of this remarkable city, from its more famous residents - Khubilai Khan, Mulan, and Marco Polo - right up to the twenty-first century, as modern construction wipes out so much of the old city to make way for its twenty-million-strong population. Through his timely and intimate portrait of the world's most populous capital city, Jonathan Clements reveals the history of China itself.
This first paperback edition includes a new final chapter, taking the history of Beijing up to the 2022 Winter Olympics and beyond.
Reviews / Votes
Beijingers, both Chinese and foreign, mourn the Chinese capitals rapdily-disappearing traditional alleys but few of us appreciate Beijing as a city that has lasted through 2,500 years of building and destruction. ...[Jonathan Clements] comes well-stocked with tales that will be new even to long-time residents.' -- Lucy Hornby, China Correspondent, Financial TimesMore details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Product notice
Paperback (UK-B)
Dimensions
Height: 194 mm
Width: 129 mm
Thickness: 23 mm
Weight
218 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-913368-46-3 (9781913368463)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

Clements Jonathan Clements
Short History of Beijing
E-Book
07/2022
Haus Publishing
€22.99
Available for download
Person
Jonathan Clements is an author and TV presenter specialising in the history and cultures of the Far East. He speaks both Chinese and Japanese, and has been a consultant and talking head on numerous TV programmes, including New Secrets of the Terracotta Warriors (Channel 4), Koxinga: Sailing into History (National Geographic), China's Jade Empire (Channel 4), and TheChinese Chariot Revealed (PBS). Since 2016, he has fronted the award-winning series Route Awakening (National Geographic Asia). His most recent documentary as presenter is Shandong: Land of Confucius, also for National Geographic.
Content
Acknowledgements // xvii
Introduction // xix
Dynasties // xxvii
1: The Land of Swallows: Prehistory to 221 BC // 1
2: North and South: 221 BC-AD 1215 // 23
3: Khanbalikh: 1215-1368 // 43
4: The Forbidden City: 1368-1644 // 59
5: 'Peking': 1644-1912 // 87
6: Northern Peace: 1912-1949 // 117
7: Empty Spaces: 1949-1989 // 129
8: Beijing Welcomes You; 1989-2008 // 149
9: Great Prosperity: 2008-2022 // 167
Chronology of Major Events // 185
Further Reading and References // 195
Introduction // xix
Dynasties // xxvii
1: The Land of Swallows: Prehistory to 221 BC // 1
2: North and South: 221 BC-AD 1215 // 23
3: Khanbalikh: 1215-1368 // 43
4: The Forbidden City: 1368-1644 // 59
5: 'Peking': 1644-1912 // 87
6: Northern Peace: 1912-1949 // 117
7: Empty Spaces: 1949-1989 // 129
8: Beijing Welcomes You; 1989-2008 // 149
9: Great Prosperity: 2008-2022 // 167
Chronology of Major Events // 185
Further Reading and References // 195