A Short History of Beijing

Before Beijing 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 the primitive hominid subspecies known as Peking Man. A Short History of Beijing tells the story of this remarkable city, from its more famous ...