🏯 Beijing Chronological History Timeline

The imperial heart of Ming and Qing Dynasties, home to the Forbidden City and centuries of Chinese dynastic history.

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Chronological Timeline (74 Entries)

  1. [1046] Yan (state) — Ancient Chinese state during the Zhou dynasty, centered near modern Beijing.
  2. [1220] Karakorum — Historic capital of the Mongol Empire, flourishing from 1235 to 1260.
  3. [1249] Zhu Shijie — Influential Yuan Dynasty mathematician known for algebra and elementary texts.
  4. [1259] Division of the Mongol Empire — The fragmentation of the Mongol Empire following Möngke Khan's death in 1259.
  5. [1368] Ming dynasty — Imperial dynasty of China (1368–1644) that followed the Yuan collapse.
  6. [1611] Chongzhen Emperor — The last emperor of the Ming Dynasty, whose reign ended with the fall of Beijing.
  7. [1616] Qing dynasty — Manchu-led dynasty that governed China from 1636 to 1912, shaping modern Chinese identity.
  8. [1624] Koxinga — Southern Ming general who founded the Kingdom of Tungning in Taiwan.
  9. [1638] Shunzhi Emperor — Second Qing Emperor, first to rule China proper; established Qing rule over Beijing.
  10. [1644] Battle of Shanhai Pass — Decisive 1644 battle leading to the Qing dynasty's rule over China proper.
  11. [1644] Shun dynasty — A brief, tumultuous dynasty established during the fall of the Ming and rise of the Qing.
  12. [1760] Jiaqing Emperor — Sixth Emperor of the Qing Dynasty, known for curbing corruption and facing opium trade challenges.
  13. [1782] Daoguang Emperor — Seventh Qing Emperor; reign marked by Opium War and Taiping Rebellion.
  14. [1858] Amur Annexation — Russian annexation of Outer Manchuria via unequal treaties in 1858-1860.
  15. [1860] Convention of Peking — A set of three unequal treaties signed by Qing China in 1860 following the Second Opium War.
  16. [1864] Qi Baishi — Master of whimsical Chinese painting, renowned for nature subjects and self-taught artistry.
  17. [1865] Duan Qirui — Chinese statesman and general who controlled the Beijing Government during the late 1910s.
  18. [1868] Burlingame Treaty — 1868 treaty establishing friendly relations and trade between the US and Qing China.
  19. [1881] Pierre Teilhard de Chardin — Jesuit priest, paleontologist, and philosopher known for the Omega Point theory.
  20. [1889] Li Dazhao — Pioneering Chinese intellectual, Marxist theorist, and co-founder of the CCP.
  21. [1891] Hu Shih — Pioneering Chinese intellectual, advocate for vernacular language and democracy.
  22. [1893] Mao Zedong — Chinese communist revolutionary, founder of the People's Republic of China (PRC).
  23. [1894] Mei Lanfang — Pioneering Peking opera artist, renowned for female roles and the 'Mei School'.
  24. [1899] Lao She — Pioneering Chinese author celebrated for vivid portrayals of urban life and Beijing dialect.
  25. [1900] Eight-Nation Alliance — Multinational military coalition that invaded northern China during the Boxer Rebellion in 1900.
  26. [1900] Mutual Defense Pact of the Southeastern Provinces — A 1900 pact by Southern/Eastern Chinese governors resisting Qing court orders during the Boxer Rebellion.
  27. [1901] Boxer Protocol — Unequal treaty signed in 1901 following the Boxer Rebellion's defeat.
  28. [1902] Shen Congwen — Pioneering Chinese author celebrated for 'native soil' literature and ethnic culture.
  29. [1907] Lin Biao — Chinese military commander and politician, pivotal to the CCP victory and Mao's designated successor.
  30. [1908] Hu Die — Pioneering Chinese actress, known as 'Butterfly Wu' for her cinematic grace.
  31. [1909] Mou Tsung-san — Influential Chinese philosopher and translator, bridging Kantian thought with Buddhism.
  32. [1910] Cao Yu — Pioneering Chinese playwright, credited with establishing modern Chinese spoken theatre.
  33. [1910] Chiang Ching-kuo — Key statesman and diplomat who led Taiwan through political liberalization and the end of martial law.
  34. [1911] China — A vast East Asian nation with millennia of continuous civilization, culture, and political evolution.
  35. [1911] People's Republic of China — A vast East Asian nation with millennia of continuous civilization and profound global influence.
  36. [1912] Beiyang government — The internationally recognized Chinese government from 1912 to 1928, centered in Beijing.
  37. [1912] Republic of China (1912–1949) — The period of Chinese governance from 1912 to 1949, marking the end of imperial rule.
  38. [1937] Tung Chee-hwa — Prominent Hong Kong businessman and politician, first Chief Executive (1997-2005).
  39. [1942] Hu Jintao — Retired Chinese politician, served as CCP General Secretary and President (2002-2012)
  40. [1948] Pingjin Campaign — The 1948-1949 PLA campaign ending Nationalist rule in Beijing and Tianjin.
  41. [1949] Bei Dao — Acclaimed Chinese-American poet, known for dissident work and profound literary voice.
  42. [1949] Retreat of the government of the Republic of China to Taiwan — The 1949 retreat of the ROC government and forces from mainland China to Taiwan.
  43. [1950] Khrushchev thaw — Period of Soviet liberalization (mid-1950s to mid-1960s) following Stalin's era.
  44. [1950] Mark Spitz — Legendary American Olympic swimmer, known for his seven gold medals in Munich 1972.
  45. [1950] Wei Jingsheng — Pioneering Chinese human rights activist and dissident for democracy.
  46. [1950] Zhang Yimou — Pioneering Chinese filmmaker, celebrated for vibrant color palettes and epic historical narratives.
  47. [1952] Chen Kaige — Pioneering Chinese filmmaker known for epic storytelling and visual flair.
  48. [1953] Xi Jinping — Paramount leader of China, General Secretary of the CCP since 2012.
  49. [1961] Shanhai Pass — Crucial fortified gateway at the eastern end of the Great Wall, guarding access to North China.
  50. [1963] Jet Li — Iconic martial artist and actor, renowned for popularizing Shaolin culture globally.
  51. [1966] Leon Lai — Iconic Hong Kong entertainer, celebrated singer, actor, and director.
  52. [1969] Faye Wong — Iconic Chinese singer-songwriter blending alternative sounds with pop.
  53. [1969] Wang Dan (dissident) — Prominent Chinese democracy activist and scholar, known for the 1989 student movement.
  54. [1971] Kim C — South Korean singer and entertainer known by the stage name Kim C, active since 1997.
  55. [1974] Xu Jinglei — Esteemed Chinese actress and acclaimed film director known for her artistic depth.
  56. [1975] Cambodian genocide — Systematic persecution and killing of Cambodian citizens by the Khmer Rouge (1975-1979).
  57. [1976] Smashing the Gang of Four — The 1976 coup that ended the Cultural Revolution and detained the Gang of Four.
  58. [1976] Zhao Wei — Esteemed Chinese actress, singer, and filmmaker, celebrated for her versatile roles.
  59. [1979] Zhang Ziyi — Iconic Chinese actress celebrated for strong, independent roles globally.
  60. [1981] Fan Bingbing — Esteemed Chinese actress known for her dramatic range and global film presence.
  61. [1982] Kenenisa Bekele — Ethiopian long-distance runner, world record holder in 5,000m and 10,000m.
  62. [1982] Sho Sakurai — Versatile Japanese entertainer, known as a singer, rapper, actor, and news anchor.
  63. [1983] Anastasia Davydova — Five-time Olympic gold medalist and celebrated coach in Russian synchronized swimming.
  64. [1983] Christine Sinclair — Canadian soccer icon, all-time international goal scorer, and Olympic medalist.
  65. [1987] Isaac Promise — Nigerian footballer known for his time in Turkey and captaining the 2008 Olympic squad.
  66. [1987] Montreal Protocol — International treaty phasing out ozone-depleting substances to protect the Earth's vital ozone layer.
  67. [1989] Tiananmen Square protests of 1989 — Student-led protests in Tiananmen Square, Beijing, 1989, demanding political reform.
  68. [1992] He Kexin — Pioneering Chinese artistic gymnast known for Olympic success and high difficulty scores.
  69. [2000] Tank Man — Unidentified protester who confronted tanks near Tiananmen Square in 1989.
  70. [2012] Beijing Treaty on Audiovisual Performances — Multilateral treaty regulating copyright for audiovisual performances and expanding performers' rights.
  71. [2014] Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 — The 2014 disappearance of Malaysia Airlines Flight 370, a major aviation mystery.
  72. [2023] 2023 China Open (tennis) — Professional tennis tournament held in Beijing, China, in 2023.
  73. [2026] University of Chicago — A premier private research university in Chicago, known for its academic rigor and groundbreaking research.
  74. [—] North China — A major geographical region of China, encompassing key agricultural lands and cultural centers.