Beijing

Beijing, historically known as Peking, is a major city and regional center located in northern China, along the banks of the Yellow River. While never serving as the capital of imperial China, as it does in our timeline, Beijing has long played an important role as a commercial and cultural hub within the country.

History

Beijing's origins date back to the 14th century, when the city was established as a regional center under the Ming dynasty. Unlike in our timeline, however, the Ming emperors chose to maintain the southern capital of Nanjing as the seat of imperial power, rather than relocating it to Beijing.

Under the subsequent Qing dynasty, Beijing continued to grow in importance as a commercial and cultural center, though it never achieved the status of capital. The Qing imperial family did maintain a palace complex and summer retreats in the city, but the main imperial government remained based in southern China.

Despite lacking the grand imperial monuments and urban layout of our timeline's Beijing, the city still flourished as a hub of trade, scholarship, and the arts during the 18th and 19th centuries. Its strategic location along major overland trade routes connecting northern and central China ensured its continued economic relevance.

Geography and Layout

Beijing is situated along the Yellow River in northern China, roughly 1,000 miles (1,600 km) north of the country's traditional capital of Nanjing. The city sprawls across a relatively flat, low-lying plain, lacking the dramatic mountainous terrain seen in our timeline's Beijing.

Without the large-scale urban planning and demolition efforts of the People's Republic of China era, much of Beijing's historic street grid and traditional architecture has been preserved. The city center is characterized by a dense network of narrow, winding hutong alleys and courtyard-style residences, punctuated by notable landmarks like the Beihai Park and the Temple of Heaven.

Major commercial and administrative districts are concentrated in the central areas, with industrial zones and residential neighborhoods radiating outwards. Transportation infrastructure, including a metro system and expressways, connects Beijing to the broader regional and national networks.

Demographics and Culture

As of 2020, the city of Beijing has an estimated population of 21.54 million people, making it one of the largest cities in China. The population is ethnically diverse, with the majority Han Chinese supplemented by significant minorities of Manchu, Mongol, and other groups.

Mandarin Chinese is the predominant language, but many residents also speak various regional dialects and Cantonese. Religious affiliation is similarly mixed, with Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism and Islam all maintaining active communities.

Beijing is renowned for its rich cultural heritage, with a thriving arts scene encompassing opera, literature, painting, calligraphy, and cuisine. Major cultural institutions include the National Museum of China, the Beijing Theater, and the Palace Museum. The city hosts numerous annual festivals and celebrations that draw visitors from across the country.

Economy

As a key regional transportation and commercial hub, Beijing's economy is centered around industries like logistics, trade, finance, and services. The city is home to the headquarters of numerous major Chinese corporations, particularly in the technology, automotive, and manufacturing sectors.

The city's strategic location and well-developed transportation infrastructure, including an international airport and high-speed rail connections, make it an important logistics center for northern China. Beijing also serves as a regional hub for banking, insurance, and other financial services.

While not on the same global scale as the Beijing of our timeline, this version of the city remains an important economic engine and cultural destination within the country of China. Its distinct history and character set it apart from other major Chinese cities.