Region: China · Coordinates: 39.905, 116.391 · 100 events
| Year | Source | Account |
|---|---|---|
| 1045 BC | Records of the Grand Historian (Shiji), Annals | He enfeoffed Shao Gong Shi in Yan. tradition |
| 226 BC | Records of the Grand Historian (Shiji), Annals | They defeated the Crown Prince's army, took Ji, the city of Yan, and obtained the head of Crown Prince Dan. |
| AD 938 | History of Liao (Liaoshi) | Youzhou was raised to Southern Capital, and the imperial seat was renamed Upper Capital. |
| AD 940 | History of Liao (Liaoshi) | He reached Yan city, entered through Gongchen Gate, and held the ceremony of 'entering the court' in the Yuanhe Hall. |
| AD 951 | History of Liao (Liaoshi) | Muzong ascended the throne and went directly to Southern Capital. |
| AD 959 | History of Liao (Liaoshi) | Muzong went to Southern Capital, and the Later Zhou army withdrew. |
| AD 979 | History of Liao (Liaoshi) | The Song emperor laid siege to Southern Capital. |
| AD 982 | History of Liao (Liaoshi) | Xiuge, Yuyue of the Northern Court, was made commander of the southern field armies and stationed at Southern Capital. |
| AD 987 | History of Liao (Liaoshi) | At Southern Capital the empress was given the honorific title of Empress Dowager, and the ministers offered him the imperial honorific title. |
| AD 1000 | History of Liao (Liaoshi) | He returned to Southern Capital, rewarded the soldiers who had merit, and punished those who were of no use. |
| AD 1004 | History of Liao (Liaoshi) | After visiting the Southern Capital, set out on a southern campaign in the intercalary ninth month. |
| AD 1012 | History of Liao (Liaoshi) | Changed the era name to Kaitai and renamed Youdu Prefecture as Xijin Prefecture. |
| AD 1122 | History of Jin (Jinshi), Annals | Taizu passed through Juyongguan, reached Yanjing and entered from the south gate; Liao's senior minister Zuo Qigong and others presented a memorial and surrendered. |
| AD 1122 | History of Liao (Liaoshi) | In Yanjing, Yelü Chun styled himself Emperor Tianxi and changed the era to Jianfu; Tianzuo was demoted to Prince of Shangyin. |
| AD 1122 | History of Liao (Liaoshi) | After Yelü Chun died of illness, Consort Xiao De declared herself Empress Dowager and changed the era to Dexing. |
| AD 1122 | History of Song (Songshi), Annals | Guo Yaoshi and others raided Yanjing; Xiao Gan came to relieve them and fought inside the city, and Guo Yaoshi and others were routed, with over half killed or wounded. |
| AD 1122 | Xu Zizhi Tongjian (Continuation of the Comprehensive Mirror) | At first the Liao ruler fled to Yunzhong, leaving Nanfu Zai Zhang Lin, Canzhi Zhengshi Li Chuwen and the Qinjin king Chun to guard Yanjing. |
| AD 1124 | History of Liao (Liaoshi) | Jin took Yanjing, moved the great clans of Yan eastward, then handed the emptied city of Yan and six prefectures over to Song by covenant. |
| AD 1125 | History of Song (Songshi), Annals | Guo Yaoshi rebelled with Yanshan, and the northern border prefectures fell. |
| AD 1140 | History of Jin (Jinshi), Annals | Xizong reached Yanjing, sacrificed at the Taizu temple, and killed the Left Chancellor Wanyan Xiyin and others. |
| AD 1151 | History of Jin (Jinshi), Annals | An edict to move the capital to Yanjing. |
| AD 1153 | History of Jin (Jinshi), Annals | Arriving at Yanjing, an edict moved the capital; Yanjing was renamed Zhongdu (Daxing Prefecture), Bian Nanjing, and Zhongjing Beijing. |
| AD 1153 | Xu Zizhi Tongjian (Continuation of the Comprehensive Mirror) | In the third month, Jin renamed Yanjing as Daxing Fu and called it 'Zhongdu'; Zhongjing Dading Fu became the Northern Capital, Bianjing Kaifeng Fu the Southern Capital, Liaoyang Fu the Eastern Capital, and Datong Fu the Western Capital (Xijing). |
| AD 1161 | History of Jin (Jinshi), Annals | Shizong arrived at Zhongdu and, the next day, paid homage at the Taizu temple. |
| AD 1211 | History of Yuan (Yuanshi), Annals | Jebe entered Juyong Pass and reached the Jin Central Capital. |
| AD 1213 | History of Jin (Jinshi), Annals | Husha entered Zhongdu through the Tongxuan Gate, killed the acting Governor of Daxing and others, entered the palace, replaced the guards, and proclaimed himself Supervising Generalissimo of State Affairs. |
| AD 1213 | History of Jin (Jinshi), Annals | Yuanshuai Right Military Supervisor Shuhu Gaoqi, after two defeats north of the city, returned, attacked Husha's house with soldiers, killed him, and carried his head to the palace to plead guilt. |
| AD 1213 | Xu Zizhi Tongjian (Continuation of the Comprehensive Mirror) | In the twelfth month the Mongol ruler placed Qi'ertai and Hatai north of Jin's Zhongdu city, combined Han troops and divided them into three columns: the right column went south along the Taihang and broke many prefectures of Hebei to reach the Yellow River; the left column went east along the coast. |
| AD 1214 | History of Yuan (Yuanshi), Annals | He stationed his army in the northern suburbs of the Central Capital. |
| AD 1215 | History of Jin (Jinshi), Annals | Zhongdu fell, and the Shangshu Right Chancellor concurrently Chief Marshal Chenghui died. |
| AD 1215 | History of Yuan (Yuanshi), Annals | Wanyan Fuxing, administrator of the Jin Central Capital, took poison and died; Monian Zhenzhong abandoned the city and fled, and Ming'an entered and held it. |
| AD 1215 | Xu Zizhi Tongjian (Continuation of the Comprehensive Mirror) | In the fourth month the Mongol ruler, escaping the heat at Huanzhou, heard that Zhongdu had fallen; he sent envoys to console Ming'an and others, and carried all the treasures of the funerary storehouse north. |
| AD 1264 | History of Yuan (Yuanshi), Annals | A great Kaiyuan amnesty was declared; the fifth year of Zhongtong was made the first year of Zhiyuan. |
| AD 1368 | History of Ming (Mingshi), Annals | Xu Da entered the Yuan capital (Dadu), sealed the treasuries and books, and forbade the troops from looting. The Dadu circuit was renamed Beiping Prefecture. |
| AD 1368 | Goryeosa (History of Goryeo) | Kim Ji-su comes from the Yuan and reports that the Ming navy has anchored at Tongju and entered the capital, and the Yuan emperor fled to Shangdu. |
| AD 1380 | History of Ming (Mingshi), Annals | The Prince of Yan, Zhu Di, went to his fief at Beiping. |
| AD 1399 | History of Ming (Mingshi), Annals | Ni Liang, a centurion of the Yanshan Guard, reported the Prince of Yan's disloyalty, and an order was issued to arrest officials of the prince's household. |
| AD 1399 | History of Ming (Mingshi), Annals | The Prince of Yan, Zhu Di, raised an army (the Jingnan campaign) and killed Zhang Bing, provincial administration commissioner of Beiping, and Xie Gui of the military command. |
| AD 1399 | History of Ming (Mingshi), Annals | Li Jinglong surrounded Beiping, and the Yan army returned to relieve it. |
| AD 1403 | History of Ming (Mingshi), Annals | Beiping was made Beijing. |
| AD 1406 | History of Ming (Mingshi), Annals | An edict: construction of the Beijing palace would begin the following May, and timber was to be gathered in Sichuan and Huguang. |
| AD 1409 | History of Ming (Mingshi), Annals | In the second month the emperor left the capital on a northern tour and reached Beijing in the third month. |
| AD 1410 | History of Ming (Mingshi), Annals | The emperor personally led the northern campaign, setting out from Beijing. |
| AD 1410 | History of Ming (Mingshi), Annals | Returning from the personal campaign, he received court congratulations in the Hall of Fengtian in Beijing. |
| AD 1413 | History of Ming (Mingshi), Annals | The emperor went to Beijing, accompanied by the imperial grandson Zhu Zhanji. |
| AD 1416 | History of Ming (Mingshi), Annals | An edict ordered the ministers to deliberate on the construction of Beijing. |
| AD 1420 | History of Ming (Mingshi), Annals | The suburban altars and palaces of Beijing were completed; in the ninth month an edict made Beijing the capital from the following year and the former capital Nanjing. |
| AD 1421 | History of Ming (Mingshi), Annals | The three halls of Fengtian, Huagai and Jinshen burned down. |
| AD 1422 | History of Ming (Mingshi), Annals | When Arutai invaded Xinghe, the emperor personally took the field and set out from Beijing. |
| AD 1424 | History of Ming (Mingshi), Annals | Crown Prince Zhu Gaochi (Renzong) ascended the throne; the following year was named the first year of Hongxi, and the voyages of the Treasure Ships to the West were halted. |
| AD 1425 | History of Ming (Mingshi), Annals | Intending to return the capital to Nanjing, he had the agencies of Beijing called the Temporary Court (xingzai). |
| AD 1425 | History of Ming (Mingshi), Annals | Renzong died at the Qin'an Hall at age 48. |
| AD 1435 | History of Ming (Mingshi), Annals | Xuanzong died at the Qianqing Palace at age 38. |
| AD 1435 | History of Ming (Mingshi), Annals | After Xuanzong's death, Yingzong (Zhu Qizhen, age nine) ascended the throne; the following year was named the first year of Zhengtong. |
| AD 1441 | History of Ming (Mingshi), Annals | The Qianqing and Kunning palaces and the Fengtian, Huagai and Jinshen halls were completed; Beijing was fixed as the capital, and the agencies stopped using the title 'temporary court'. |
| AD 1449 | History of Ming (Mingshi), Annals | When Esen of the Oirat invaded Datong, the emperor decided on a personal campaign despite opposition from Minister of Personnel Wang Zhi and others; Prince of Cheng guarded Beijing. |
| AD 1449 | History of Ming (Mingshi), Annals | Prince of Cheng Zhu Qiyu (Jingtai) ascended the throne, honored Yingzong as Grand Emperor, and the following year was named the first year of Jingtai. |
| AD 1449 | History of Ming (Mingshi), Annals | Esen approached the capital but was repulsed at the Zhangyi Gate; Yu Qian and Shi Heng repeatedly defeated him beneath the walls, and the enemy withdrew (the Defense of Beijing). |
| AD 1450 | History of Ming (Mingshi), Annals | The Former Emperor (Yingzong) returned from the Oirat and was received by the emperor at the Dong'an Gate, then took up residence in the Southern Palace. |
| AD 1457 | History of Ming (Mingshi), Annals | Shi Heng and Xu Youzhen welcomed the Former Emperor and restored him to the throne (the Usurpation at the Gate). |
| AD 1457 | History of Ming (Mingshi), Annals | Shi Heng, Zhang [軏], Xu Youzhen and Cao Jixiang welcomed Yingzong from the Southern Palace and restored him at the Hall of Fengtian; the eighth year of Jingtai was changed to the first year of Tianshun. |
| AD 1457 | History of Ming (Mingshi), Annals | The Minister of War Yu Qian and Grand Secretary Wang Wen were executed, and their property was confiscated. |
| AD 1461 | History of Ming (Mingshi), Annals | Cao Jixiang and Cao Qin rebelled; Sun Tang suppressed them, crucified Cao Jixiang and exterminated his clan. |
| AD 1464 | History of Ming (Mingshi), Annals | Yingzong died at age 38. |
| AD 1464 | History of Ming (Mingshi), Annals | Xianzong (Zhu Jianshen) ascended the throne; the following year was named the first year of Chenghua. |
| AD 1477 | History of Ming (Mingshi), Annals | The Western Depot was set up; the eunuch Wang Zhi directed the scouting of the border passes. |
| AD 1487 | History of Ming (Mingshi), Annals | Xianzong died at age 41. |
| AD 1487 | History of Ming (Mingshi), Annals | Xiaozong (Zhu Youtang) ascended the throne; the following year was named the first year of Hongzhi. |
| AD 1505 | History of Ming (Mingshi), Annals | Xiaozong died at the Qianqing Palace at age 36. |
| AD 1505 | History of Ming (Mingshi), Annals | Wuzong (Zhu Houzhao) ascended the throne; the following year was named the first year of Zhengde. |
| AD 1506 | History of Ming (Mingshi), Annals | Han Wen, Liu Jian and others asked for the execution of eight eunuchs including Ma Yongcheng, but the request was refused, and Liu Jin took control of the Sili Jian. |
| AD 1508 | History of Ming (Mingshi), Annals | The Inner Depot was set up, and Liu Jin was made to lead it. |
| AD 1510 | History of Ming (Mingshi), Annals | Liu Jin was executed. |
| AD 1521 | History of Ming (Mingshi), Annals | Wuzong died at the Baofang at age 31. |
| AD 1524 | History of Ming (Mingshi), Annals | In the outcome of the Great Rites Controversy, Xiaozong was set as Uncle Father and the Prince of Xingxian as Father. |
| AD 1542 | History of Ming (Mingshi), Annals | Palace attendants who tried to harm the emperor were executed (the Renyin Palace Incident); Consort Cao of Duan and Consort Wang of Ning were crucified. |
| AD 1550 | History of Ming (Mingshi), Annals | Altan plundered Tongzhou and camped at the Bai River, then pressed on the capital city and placed the capital under martial law (the source calls Beijing 'the capital city'). |
| AD 1565 | History of Ming (Mingshi), Annals | Yan Shifan was executed. |
| AD 1566 | History of Ming (Mingshi), Annals | Shizong returned from the Western Park to the Qianqing Palace and died at age 60. |
| AD 1566 | History of Ming (Mingshi), Annals | Muzong (Zhu Zaiji) ascended the throne; the following year was named the first year of Longqing. |
| AD 1570 | History of Ming (Mingshi), Annals | Altan handed over nine rebels including Zhao Quan and Bahanaji returned home (the Longqing Peace); Zhao Quan and others were crucified in the capital. |
| AD 1572 | History of Ming (Mingshi), Annals | Muzong died at the Qianqing Palace at age 36. |
| AD 1572 | History of Ming (Mingshi), Annals | Shenzong (Zhu Yijun) ascended the throne; the following year was named the first year of Wanli. |
| AD 1596 | History of Ming (Mingshi), Annals | Began sending eunuchs to develop mines in the capital region, Henan and Shandong (mining taxes). |
| AD 1615 | History of Ming (Mingshi), Annals | Zhang Cha, a man from Jizhou, entered Ciqing Palace with a club and wounded an inner attendant (the Zhangji Incident). |
| AD 1620 | History of Ming (Mingshi), Annals | Shenzong died at age 58. |
| AD 1620 | History of Ming (Mingshi), Annals | Guangzong died at the Qianqing Palace (reigned one month; the Red Pill Affair). |
| AD 1620 | History of Ming (Mingshi), Annals | Xizong (Zhu Youjiao) ascended the throne; the following year was named the first year of Tianqi. |
| AD 1624 | History of Ming (Mingshi), Annals | Left Vice Censor-in-Chief Yang Lian impeached Wei Zhongxian's twenty-four crimes, but the charges were not accepted. |
| AD 1627 | History of Ming (Mingshi), Annals | Xizong died at the Qianqing Palace at age 23. Prince Xin Zhu Youjian succeeded. |
| AD 1627 | History of Ming (Mingshi), Annals | Yizong (Chongzhen Emperor, Zhu Youjian) ascended the throne; the following year was named the first year of Chongzhen. |
| AD 1629 | History of Ming (Mingshi), Annals | The Qing army approached Deshengmen, and the capital was placed under martial law. |
| AD 1630 | History of Ming (Mingshi), Annals | Yuan Chonghuan was executed. |
| AD 1644 | History of Ming (Mingshi), Annals | Li Zicheng took the outer and inner walls of Beijing one after another; Chongzhen Emperor killed himself at Wansuishan (Coal Hill), and the Ming fell. |
| AD 1730 | Draft History of Qing (Qingshigao) | In the ninth month an earthquake struck the capital; the officials were feasted, and thirty thousand taels of silver were given to each of the Eight Banners. |
| AD 1738 | Draft History of Qing (Qingshigao) | In the twelfth month Galdan Tseren sent Haliu and others, who came to the capital with Vice Minister Akedun and presented a memorial. |
| AD 1755 | Draft History of Qing (Qingshigao) | In the sixth month Luobuzang Danjin and others were escorted to the capital, where the ritual report and presentation of captives was held at the Imperial Ancestral Temple. |
| AD 1762 | Draft History of Qing (Qingshigao) | In the first month the emperor led the Empress Dowager on a tour of the south and left the capital; the land tax of this year was reduced by thirty percent along the route through Zhili and Shandong. |
| AD 1780 | Draft History of Qing (Qingshigao) | The Panchen Erdeni died in the capital. |
| AD 1900 | Draft History of Qing (Qingshigao) | In the seventh month the allied forces of eight countries (Germany, Austria-Hungary, the United States, France, Britain, Italy, Japan, and Russia) took the capital. |