Beijing

Japanese: 北京 - ぺきん

The capital of China. A directly-controlled municipality of the country. It is located at the northern end of the North China Plain, in a strategic location connecting Northeast China with the Mongolian Plateau and North China. It has an area of 16,411 square kilometers and a population of 21,269,000 (2016). It consists of 16 city districts (Dongcheng District, Xicheng District, Haidian District, Chaoyang District, Fengtai District, Mentougou District, Shijingshan District, Fangshan District, Shunyi District, Tongzhou District, Changping District, Yanqing District, Huairou District, Miyun District, Pinggu District, and Daxing District), which includes the area north of the Great Wall. The old Beijing city area consisted of two districts: Dongcheng District, which occupies the eastern half of the inner city, and Xicheng District, which occupies the western half, and was surrounded by 14 suburban districts.

[Funakoshi Akio]

Nature

Beijing's topography is high in the northwest and low in the southeast, surrounded by mountains in the north and west, with plains stretching towards the Bohai Sea. The western mountain range is the Xishan, a branch of the Taihang Mountains, and the northern mountain range is the Jundu Mountains, which belong to the Yanshan Mountains. Both are mountainous areas with an elevation of about 400 to 1,500 meters, with rare mountains exceeding 2,000 meters. The two most important rivers in Beijing are the Yongding River, a tributary of the Hai River that flows from the northwest to the southeast, and the Chaobai River that flows south. The old Beijing city was built on the alluvial fan of the Yongding River, between the two rivers. The climate is cold and dry in winter and hot and rainy in summer. The average temperature in January is -2.9°C, the average temperature in July is 26.9°C, and the average annual precipitation is 542.7 mm, with most of the precipitation concentrated in the summer.

[Funakoshi Akio]

city

Since the founding of the People's Republic of China, urban construction in Beijing has developed rapidly, with a rapid increase in new buildings and a remarkable expansion of the city area. The old city walls were demolished, and Chang'an Avenue, which was expanded to 40-100 meters wide, was extended east-west outside the old city, covering a distance of 40 kilometers. The area around Tiananmen Square, in the center of the city, was developed into a large square that can accommodate 500,000 people, and the Great Hall of the People, the Museum of Chinese History, and the Museum of the Chinese Revolution were built, giving the area a new look. The Museum of Chinese History and the Museum of the Chinese Revolution were merged in 2003 to become the National Museum of China. This area was the central government district, but the construction of new government buildings in the western suburbs has led to a remarkable change, along with the educational district that spreads to the northwestern suburbs. In addition, the eastern to southern suburbs have undergone great development as an industrial area. Furthermore, a large circular road has been built that runs through these areas and surrounds the old city, changing the city's character from a palace city to a modern city, and from a consumer city to a productive city.

[Funakoshi Akio]

industry

The industrial sector consists of heavy chemical industries such as machine tools, agricultural machinery, railroad cars, automobiles, electrical and electronic equipment, synthetic fibers, and plastics, as well as light industries such as cotton spinning, wool spinning, food, medicine, printing, and paper. The Xishan Mountains are rich in anthracite coal, and production has increased rapidly due to the mechanization of coal production in the Mentougou district. In the southern suburbs, there are factories such as the Changxindian Automobile Factory, agricultural machinery, bridges, and automobile parts factories, and in the eastern suburbs, the National Cotton Spinning Factory is in operation. Traditional industries include ancient and exquisite crafts such as cloisonné ware, jadeware, ivory carvings, and lacquerware. Beijing's water supply is provided by water drawn directly into the city from Sanjiakou on the upstream of the Yongding River, and by multipurpose dams such as Miyun, Huairou Dam, and Shisanling Dam in the upstream area of the Chaobai River in the north. These efforts have made it possible to prevent flooding and ensure a stable supply of water for agricultural and industrial use, as well as for the water supply system. In the outskirts, vegetable and fruit cultivation has rapidly increased, and the creation of rice paddies and the raising of ducks and dairy cows have also become large-scale.

[Funakoshi Akio]

traffic

Beijing is the center of the national railway network, with railways such as the Beijing-Guang Line, Jingha Line, Jingbao Line (Beijing-Baotou), Jingcheng Line (Beijing-Chengde), Jinghu Line, and Beijing-Kiu Line connecting it to all parts of the country. Beijing Capital International Airport is located in Shunyi District, 30 kilometers northeast of Beijing, and it connects to major domestic cities as well as the rest of the world via international flights. Transportation within the city is mainly by bus and trolleybus, and roads and green spaces are also well developed. In 1970, a subway line opened between Beijing Station and Apple Garden, and in 1984 a circular line that connects with this line was completed at Changchun Street. As of 2018 there are 22 subway lines.

[Funakoshi Akio]

Culture and Tourism

It is the country's most important academic and cultural center, and is home to various research institutes, including the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, as well as many higher education institutions, such as Peking University, Tsinghua University, Beijing Normal University, Beijing Renmin University, and the Minzu University of China. In the center of the Western Suburbs Cultural and Educational District are academic conference halls such as the National Science Congress Hall. In addition to the aforementioned National Museum of China, cultural facilities include the National Library of China, the Working People's Cultural Palace, the Chinese People's Revolutionary Military Museum, the Beijing Exhibition Center, the Agricultural Exhibition Center, and the Beijing Zoo, and sports facilities such as the Beijing Workers' Stadium, Capital Gymnasium, and Beijing National Gymnasium are also available. The Summer Olympics were held in 2008, and the Winter Olympics are scheduled to be held in 2022.

The historical city of Beijing has many historic sites and scenic spots. The Forbidden City, the center of the old inner city, was the imperial palace during the Ming and Qing dynasties and is open to the public as the Palace Museum. Outside the South Gate (Wumen), the Taimiao (now the Working People's Cultural Palace) and the Shejitan (now Zhongshan Park) face each other, and to the south of that is Tiananmen, the main gate of the entire imperial city, including the Forbidden City. Beihai, Zhonghai, and Nanhai, located to the west of the Forbidden City, are ponds that continue to Shichahai to the north and were created as gardens for the imperial city. Beihai, along with Jingshan to the north of the Forbidden City, has become a park and is open to the public. In the eastern part of the old outer city is the Temple of Heaven, a ritual site during the Ming and Qing dynasties. In addition, the Bell Tower and Drum Tower outside the Di'anmen Gate of the Forbidden City's north gate are considered to be the center of Dadu in the Yuan dynasty. To the northeast within the old city walls are the Imperial College (now the Capital Library), the Confucius Temple, and the Tibetan Buddhist (Lamaism) temple Yonghe Temple. In the western suburbs there are many scenic spots such as the Summer Palace, Yuquan Mountain, Biyun Temple, Sleeping Buddha Temple, and the Eight Great Places of the West. In the southwestern suburbs is the Marco Polo Bridge, a beautiful marble bridge built during the Jin Dynasty, which is known in the West as the Marco Polo Bridge, after Marco Polo introduced it in "The Travels of Marco Polo." In 1937 (Showa 12), a clash between Japanese and Chinese troops occurred near the bridge, starting the Second Sino-Japanese War. Zhoukoudian, about 50 kilometers southwest, is the site where the famous Peking Man fossils were discovered, and an exhibition center has been set up at the excavation site, Dragon Bone Mountain, where visitors can see the culture and evolutionary process of Peking Man. About 50 kilometers north-northwest are the 13 Tombs of the Ming Dynasty emperors, and to the west of these are Juyongguan and Badaling, famous as important gateways to the Mongolian Plateau since ancient times, and from Badaling you can see the Great Wall.

[Funakoshi Akio]

history

During the Warring States period, Ji was the capital of Yan. It corresponds to Ji County after the Qin dynasty, Ji County and Youdu County in the Tang dynasty, the two counties of Xuejin and Wanping in the Liao and Song dynasties, the two counties of Daxing and Wanping after the Jin dynasty, and Beijing (Beiping) after the 17th year of the Republic of China (1928). During this period, it became the capital of Shanggu County in the Qin Dynasty, Yan State, Guangyang County or Guangyang State in the Han Dynasty, Shanggu County or Guangyang County of Youzhou in the Later Han Dynasty, Yan State of Youzhou in the Wei, Jin and Northern Dynasties, Zhuo County in the Sui Dynasty, Fanyang County of Youzhou in the Tang Dynasty, Nanjing Shujin Prefecture in the Liao Dynasty, Yanshan Prefecture or Guangyang County in the Song Dynasty, Yanjing Shujin Prefecture or Zhongdu Daxing Prefecture in the Jin Dynasty, Yanjing Road or Dadu Road in the Yuan Dynasty, Beiping Prefecture or Beijing Shuntian Prefecture in the Ming Dynasty, and Beijing Shuntian Prefecture in the Qing Dynasty. Since ancient times, it has been called the land of Tianfu, and it is said that since King Wu of Zhou enfeoffed his noble minister Zhao Gongsui here, it has been as well known as Handan and Qufu, and its descendants have continued to rule here for 43 generations and 800 years. At the end of the Qin Dynasty, Xiang Yu enfeoffed Zang Da here as King of Yan, and Liu Bang, the first emperor of the Han Dynasty, enfeoffed his son Jian as King of Yan. The Wei Dynasty established its capital here, and Former Yan during the Five Barbarians period built its capital here and Jieshi Palace, making it the largest base for defending against foreign tribes from the north. During the Sui dynasty, it was used as a key location for the conquest of Goguryeo, and during the Tang dynasty, it was used as a key location for the defense of Khitan. Emperor Xuanzong appointed his favorite minister An Lushan as the governor and stationed heavy troops there, and it later became the base for the An Lushan Rebellion.

During the Later Jin Dynasty of the Five Dynasties, it became part of the Khitan (Liao) territory as one of the 16 prefectures of Yanyun, and Liao made it its capital in 936. The Song Dynasty attempted to recapture it but failed, and instead it was occupied by the Jin Dynasty, which destroyed the Liao Dynasty, in 1125. The Jin Dynasty built Zhongdu City and moved their capital there, doubling the size of the Liao Dynasty's capital, and prospered by suppressing the Song Dynasty. In 1215, the Mongols (Yuan Dynasty) captured it, and in 1263 they moved their capital there and built Dadu City. It was located northeast of Zhongdu City of the Jin Dynasty, almost the inner part of the later Beijing City. The Mongols called it Khan-balik (Khan's City), and Europeans such as Marco Polo also called it Khan-balik or Taidu (Great Capital). At that time, it was the capital of a great Eurasian empire and the center of domestic and international water and land transportation, with a population of 1 million, 25,000 licensed prostitutes alone, 1,000 horse-drawn carriages transporting precious goods from home and abroad every day, and magnificent buildings lined the outside of the city. During the Ming Dynasty, it was originally used as a base for Mongol defense, and Taizu Zhu Yuanzhang (the founder of the Ming Dynasty) gave his fourth son, Yan Wang Di, a large army to garrison there. When Yan Wang ascended to the throne (Emperor Yongle), in 1421, the capital was moved from Nanjing to Beijing, where a magnificent and grandiose fortress was built. At first, the inner city was about 40 li in circumference (1 li is about 322 meters), and in 1553, the southern outer city was built with a circumference of about 28 li. It had a population of hundreds of thousands, and the economic foundation was solidified by the Grand Canal connecting to Jiangnan, and it prospered as a capital. The Qing dynasty, which captured the city in 1644, took it over as its capital, and Manchus (Jurchens) lived mainly in the inner city, while Han Chinese and others lived in the outer city. Europeans call the inner city Tatar City and the outer city Chinese City. After the Arrow War at the end of the Qing dynasty, the city was invaded by the British and French allied forces in 1860, and the Treaty of Beijing was signed, allowing various countries to establish their embassies there. In 1900, the city was captured by the eight-nation allied forces, including Japan and Britain, during the Boxer Rebellion. During the Republic of China period, it became the base of the Beiyang warlords and the stronghold of conservatives, and was in conflict with the revolutionary bases of Guangdong and Nanjing, becoming a place of conflict between domestic and foreign politics. During the Second Sino-Japanese War, the headquarters of the China Garrison Army was located here, and it became a base for Japan's invasion of China.

[Hoshi Hideo]

"Travels in Beijing" by Chin Shunshin (1978, Heibonsha) " ▽ "Historic Sites in Beijing" by Mayuyama Yasuhiko (1979, Heibonsha)" ▽ "Wandering around Beijing" by Tadokoro Takehiko (1984, Asahi Shimbun)" ▽ "New Travels in China 1: Beijing and Its Surroundings" edited by China People's Art Publishing House and Kodansha (1985, Kodansha)" ▽ "Great Asian Cities 5: Beijing and Shanghai" edited by Osaka City University Research Institute of Economics (2002, Nippon Hyoronsha)" ▽ "Beijing in the 1990s" by Kitai Kazuo (2004, Toseisha)

Tiananmen Square
It is the largest square in the world, boasting an area of about 40 hectares and the capacity to accommodate 500,000 people. Rallies and demonstrations have always been held here during historical events in modern China, such as the May Fourth Movement, the founding of the People's Republic of China, and the Cultural Revolution. China Beijing ©Shogakukan ">

Tiananmen Square

Chang'an Street
A major thoroughfare that runs east to west through the center of Beijing. It used to be a short road running east to west with Tiananmen Square at its center, but now the road width has been expanded to 40 to 100 meters and it extends to the industrial areas in the eastern suburbs and the new city in the western suburbs. The photo shows the Chaoyang District area. Beijing, China ©Shogakukan ">

Chang'an Street

Great Hall of the People
This parliament building was built to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. It was completed in 1959. It was built by volunteers in just 10 months. It is the venue for the National People's Congress (NPC), the General Assembly of the Communist Party of China, and meetings with foreign dignitaries. It is located on the west side of Tiananmen Square. China Beijing ©Shogakukan ">

Great Hall of the People

Beijing Central Business District
Beijing's business district (commonly known as the CBD, or Central Business District) was planned with the goal of making the city the hub of the world's economy and trade. It is located in Chaoyang District in the eastern part of the city. About half of the area is made up of office buildings, with the rest consisting of apartments, commercial and service facilities, and entertainment facilities. China Beijing ©Shogakukan ">

Beijing Central Business District

Wangfujing Street
Wangfujing Street is the largest shopping street in Beijing. It is a shopping street lined with hotels and luxury shops, including the Beijing Hotel and the Department Store. The photo shows the large-scale shopping mall "Oriental New World". China Beijing ©Shogakukan ">

Wangfujing Street

New residential area on the outskirts of Beijing
Since the founding of the People's Republic of China, urban construction in Beijing has developed rapidly, and the urban area has expanded significantly. Modern high-rise apartment buildings are being built one after another in the suburbs, as if to symbolize the current situation in which the number of people migrating from the countryside is increasing and the gap between rich and poor is widening. China Beijing ©Shogakukan ">

New residential area on the outskirts of Beijing

Beijing Station
A terminal station located to the east of Tiananmen Square. It was originally located to the west of the current location, but was moved to its current location in 1959. Trains on the Beijing-Shanghai Line (Beijing-Shanghai) and the Jingha Line (Beijing-Harbin) depart here. Subway Line 2 runs through here. China Beijing ©Shogakukan ">

Beijing Station

Beijing West Railway Station
A terminal station located in the west of downtown Beijing. It opened in 1996. It is also the starting point for the Beijing-Kowloon Railroad (Beijing-Hong Kong) and the Beijing-Guangzhou Line (Beijing-Guangzhou). Along with Beijing Station, it functions as an important terminal station. China Beijing ©Shogakukan ">

Beijing West Railway Station

Beijing Subway
The first subway in Beijing opened in 1970 between Beijing Station and Apple Garden. As of July 2009, eight lines are in operation. The photo shows Fuxingmen Station on Line 2 of the Circular Subway, which opened in its entirety in 1987. China Beijing ©Shogakukan ">

Beijing Subway

National Museum of China
One of China's leading museums, it was formerly the China Museum of History and the Museum of the Chinese Revolution. In 2003, the two museums were merged to become the National Museum of China. It is located on the east side of Tiananmen Square. China Beijing July 2007 Photo ©Shogakukan ">

National Museum of China

Chinese People's Revolutionary Military Museum
This museum mainly exhibits military-related materials from various eras, such as the Chinese Civil War and the War of Resistance against Japan, as well as ancient military tactics. Many real weapons, such as tanks and jet planes, are on display inside the museum. China Beijing ©Shogakukan ">

Chinese People's Revolutionary Military Museum

Forbidden City Taihe Hall
The main hall of the outer court of the Forbidden City. It is the largest wooden building in China. It is built on a three-story white marble platform, measuring approximately 60m east to west and 33m north to south. It was built in 1420, but was burned down and rebuilt several times, and the current building was rebuilt in 1695. Part of the World Heritage Site "Imperial Palaces of the Ming and Qing Dynasties in Beijing and Shenyang" (China, registered in 1987 and 2004) Beijing, China ©Shogakukan ">

Forbidden City Taihe Hall

Forbidden City
The main gate of the Forbidden City. It is said to be the largest gate in the world, with a majestic structure that has wings and corridors extending to the left and right. There are three entrances on the front, and the main gate in the center was once a gate reserved for the emperor. Part of the World Heritage Site "Imperial Palaces of the Ming and Qing Dynasties in Beijing and Shenyang" (China, registered in 1987 and 2004) Beijing, China ©Shogakukan ">

Forbidden City

The Palace Museum (Beijing)
It is a major hall of Chinese cultural assets that was established in the latter half of the Forbidden City in 1925. It utilizes the palace buildings and displays top-class artworks such as bronze vessels, paintings, and crafts. The photo shows Qingqing Gate. Part of the World Heritage "Imperial Palaces of the Ming and Qing Dynasties in Beijing and Shenyang" (China, registered in 1987 and 2004) Beijing, China ©Shogakukan ">

The Palace Museum (Beijing)

Tiananmen Square
The main gate facing south of the Imperial Palace (Forbidden City) during the Ming and Qing dynasties. When it was built in 1417, it was called Chengtianmen, but when it was remodeled in 1651, it was renamed Tiananmen. In the center of the gate is a portrait of Mao Zedong, the first president of the People's Republic of China. China Beijing ©Shogakukan ">

Tiananmen Square

Yonghe Temple
A Tibetan Buddhist (Lamaism) temple located northeast of the Forbidden City. The photo shows the Zhaotaimen Gate. Beijing, China ©Shogakukan ">

Yonghe Temple

Summer Palace
This vast garden has a strange history, having been destroyed twice by foreign troops and where Empress Dowager Cixi, an empress of the late Qing dynasty, lived a lavish life. In the center of the photo, standing on the south side of Wanshou Mountain, is the Buddhist Fragrance Pavilion. World Heritage Site "Summer Palace, Imperial Gardens of Beijing" (China, registered in 1998) China Beijing ©Shogakukan ">

Summer Palace

Thirteen Tombs
A group of tombs where 13 Ming Dynasty emperors (Yongle Emperor to Chongzhen Emperor) are buried. Along the approach to the tomb, there are 36 stone figures of animals such as elephants, camels, and horses, as well as civil and military officials. In 2003, it was added to the list of World Heritage sites. Part of the World Heritage "Imperial Tombs of the Ming and Qing Dynasties" (China, registered in 2000, 2003, and 2004) Beijing, China ©Shogakukan ">

Thirteen Tombs

Great Wall
The world's largest wall, built to protect against invaders from the north. Most of the existing Great Wall was built during the Ming Dynasty. The area around Badaling in the photo is a representative tourist destination in China, attracting many visitors from both within and outside of China. World Heritage Site "Great Wall of China" (registered in China in 1987) Near Beijing, China ©Shogakukan ">

Great Wall

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

Japanese:

中国の首都。国の直轄市。華北(かほく)平原の北端、東北、蒙古(もうこ)高原と華北を結ぶ要地に位置する。面積1万6411平方キロメートル、人口2126万9000（2016）。16市轄区（東城区、西城区、海淀(かいてい)区、朝陽区、豊台区、門頭溝(もんとうこう)区、石景山(せきけいざん)区、房山(ぼうざん)区、順義(じゅんぎ)区、通州(つうしゅう)区、昌平(しょうへい)区、延慶(えんけい)区、懐柔(かいじゅう)区、密雲(みつうん)区、平谷(へいこく)区、大興(だいこう)区）よりなり、その範囲には長城以北の地域も含まれている。なお、北京旧城の範囲は、内城東半部を占める東城区、西半部を占める西城区の2城区で、これを取り巻いて14郊区がある。

［船越昭生］

自然

北京の地形は北西に高く、南東に低く、北部、西部を山地で囲まれ、渤海(ぼっかい)に向かって平原が広がる。西部の山地は太行(たいこう)山脈の一支脈である西山(せいざん)で、北部は燕山(えんざん)山脈に属する軍都山(ぐんとさん)である。ともに標高400～1500メートル程度の山地で、まれに2000メートルを超える山もみられる。北京の河川は、海河(かいが)の支流で北西から南東に流れる永定河(えいていが)と南流する潮白河(ちょうはくが)の2河川が重要で、旧北京城は両河の間、永定河の沖積扇状地上につくられている。気候は、冬は寒冷で乾燥し、夏は暑熱で多雨となる。1月の平均気温は零下2.9℃、7月の平均気温は26.9℃、年降水量は542.7ミリメートルで、降水の大部分は夏に集中する。

［船越昭生］

市街

新中国成立以来、北京の都市建設は急速に発展し、新築の建物が急増し、著しく市街地が拡大している。旧城壁は撤去され、幅が40～100メートルに拡張された長安街は旧城外へ東西に延長され40キロメートルに及ぶ。その中心の天安門付近は50万人を収容できる大広場として整備され、人民大会堂、中国歴史博物館、中国革命博物館などが建設されて面目を一新した。中国歴史博物館と中国革命博物館は2003年に統合されて、中国国家博物館となっている。この付近は中央官庁地区であるが、西郊へ新庁舎の建設が進み、北西郊に広がる文教地区とともに著しい変化を示している。また、東郊から南郊にかけては工業地帯として大発展を遂げた。さらに、これらの地域を貫いて旧城内を取り巻く大環状路がつくられており、宮城都市から近代都市へ、消費都市から生産都市へと性格を変えた。

［船越昭生］

産業

工業は、工作機械、農業機械、鉄道車両、自動車、電気・電子機器、合成繊維、プラスチックなどの重化学工業、および綿紡績、羊毛紡績、食品、医薬、印刷、製紙などの軽工業が立地している。西山には豊富な無煙炭が埋蔵され、門頭溝区における出炭の機械化によって急激に産出量が増加している。また南郊には長辛店(ちょうしんてん)汽車工場のほか農業機械、橋梁(きょうりょう)、自動車部品などの工場があり、東郊では国立綿紡績工場などが操業している。伝統工業では景泰藍(けいたいらん)（七宝(しっぽう)焼）、玉器、象牙(ぞうげ)彫刻、漆器など古来の精緻(せいち)な工芸品がある。北京の水利は、永定河上流の三家口から直接北京城内に引水されるものと、北方の潮白河上流地域の密雲、懐柔ダムや十三陵ダムなどの多目的ダムによるものとがある。これらによって洪水の防止や農業・工業用水、上水道の水源確保など水の安定した供給が可能となっている。近郊では野菜や果樹栽培などが急速に増え、水田の造成、アヒルや乳牛の飼養も大規模化している。

［船越昭生］

交通

北京は全国鉄道網の大中心をなし、京広線、京哈(けいは)線、京包線（北京―パオトウ）、京承線（北京―承徳(しょうとく)）、京滬(けいこ)線、京九線などの鉄道が全国各地と連絡する。北京北東30キロメートルの順義区には北京首都国際空港があり、国内の主要都市のほか、国際線によって世界各地と連絡する。市内の交通はおもにバスとトロリーバスで、道路、緑地も整備されている。また、1970年に北京駅―蘋果園(ひんかえん)間の地下鉄が開通し、1984年には長椿街でこれと相互乗り入れする環状線が完成した。地下鉄は2018年時点で22路線がある。

［船越昭生］

文化・観光

国内でもっとも重要な学術、文化の中心で、中国科学院や中国社会科学院の各研究所をはじめとする各種研究機関や、北京大学、清華大学、北京師範大学、北京人民大学、中央民族大学など多くの高等教育機関があり、西郊文教地区の中心には科学大会堂など学術会議場も設けられている。文化施設に前述の中国国家博物館のほか、中国国家図書館、労働人民文化宮、中国人民革命軍事博物館、北京展覧館、農業展覧館、北京動物園などがあり、北京工人体育場、首都体育館、北京国家体育館などのスポーツ施設も整備されている。2008年には夏季オリンピックが開催され、2022年には冬季オリンピックの開催が予定されている。

　歴史的都市北京には古跡、名勝が数多く存在する。旧内城の中心、紫禁城(しきんじょう)は明(みん)・清(しん)代の皇宮で、故宮博物院として一般に公開されている。南門（午門）の外には太廟（現在の労働人民文化宮）、社稷壇(しゃしょくだん)（現在の中山(ちゅうざん)公園）が相対していて、その南に紫禁城を含む皇城全体の正門である天安門がある。故宮西隣の北海、中海、南海は北方の什刹海(じゅうさつかい)に続く池で、皇城の庭園としてつくられた。北海は、故宮の北の景山とともに公園となり一般に開放されている。旧外城の東部には明・清代の祭場である天壇(てんだん)がある。また紫禁城北門の地安門外にある鐘楼(しょうろう)、鼓楼(ころう)は元(げん)代の大都の中心とされている。旧城壁内北東には国子監(こくしかん)（現、首都図書館）、孔子廟(こうしびょう)とチベット仏教（ラマ教）寺院の雍和宮(ようわきゅう)などがある。西郊には頤和園(いわえん)、玉泉山、碧雲寺(へきうんじ)、臥仏寺(がぶつじ)や西山八大処など名勝が多い。南西郊の永定河の渡河点に盧溝橋(ろこうきょう)がある。金朝時代につくられた大理石の美しい橋で、マルコ・ポーロが『東方見聞録』で紹介したことから、欧米ではマルコ・ポーロ橋とよばれる。1937年（昭和12）同橋付近で起こった日・中両軍の衝突により日中戦争が始まった。また、南西約50キロメートルの周口店(しゅうこうてん)は、有名な北京原人の化石出土地で、発掘場所の竜骨山には展覧館が設けられており、北京原人の文化や進化過程をみることができる。北北西約50キロメートルには、明の皇帝の陵墓十三陵があり、その西方が古来モンゴル高原に通じる重要な関門として有名な居庸関(きょようかん)や八達嶺(はったつれい)で、八達嶺からは万里の長城を見学できる。

［船越昭生］

歴史

戦国時代は燕(えん)の首都薊(けい)。秦(しん)以後の薊県、唐の薊県・幽都(ゆうと)県、遼(りょう)・宋(そう)の析津(せきしん)・宛平の2県、金以後の大興・宛平の2県、中華民国17年（1928）以後の北京市（北平市）にあたる。この間、秦の上谷郡、漢の燕国、広陽郡または広陽国、後漢(ごかん)の上谷郡または幽州広陽郡、魏(ぎ)・晋(しん)・北朝の幽州燕国、隋(ずい)の涿(たく)郡、唐の幽州范陽(はんよう)郡、遼の南京析津府、宋の燕山府または広陽郡、金の燕京析津府または中都大興府、元の燕京路または大都路、明の北平府または北京順天府、清の北京順天府の首邑(しゅゆう)となった。古来、天府の地といわれ、すでに周の武王が功臣の召公奭(しょうこうせき)をここに封じてから、邯鄲(かんたん)、曲阜(きょくふ)と並んでよく知られ、その子孫が43世800年間も続いたと伝える。秦の末期、項羽は臧荼(ぞうと)をここに燕王として封じ、漢の高祖劉邦(りゅうほう)もその子建を燕王に封じ、魏はここに燕都を営み、五胡(ごこ)時代の前燕はここに都して碣石(けっせき)宮を建てるなど、北方の異民族を防ぐ最大の拠点となった。隋代には高句麗(こうくり)の征討、唐代には契丹(きったん)防衛の要地とし、玄宗は寵臣(ちょうしん)安禄山(あんろくざん)を節度使に任じて重兵を駐せしめ、のちに安史の乱の基地となった。

　五代の後晋(こうしん)のとき、燕雲(えんうん)十六州の一として契丹（遼）の領域となり、遼は936年に国都とした。宋は、その奪還を企てたが成功せず、かえって1125年、遼を滅ぼした女真(じょしん)（金）に占領された。金は中都城を築いて遷都し、遼代の都城を2倍に拡張し、宋を圧して繁栄した。1215年モンゴル（元）はこれを陥れ、1263年遷都して大都城を築いた。それは金の中都城の北東方、後の北京城のほぼ内城の部分で、モンゴル人はカンバリクKhan-balik（可汗(かがん)の城）とよび、マルコ・ポーロなどヨーロッパ人もカンバリク、またはタイズーTaidu（大都）といった。当時は、ユーラシアにまたがる大帝国の首都として内外水陸交通の中心であり、人口も100万を擁し、公娼(こうしょう)だけでも2万5000人、毎日1000の馬車が内外の珍貨を運び、城外にも宏壮(こうそう)建築が並んだという。明代には、初めモンゴル防衛の拠点として、太祖朱元璋(しゅげんしょう)が第4子燕王棣(てい)に大兵を授けて駐留させ、燕王が即位（永楽帝）すると、1421年、南京(ナンキン)から遷都して北京と改称し、豪壮雄大な城郭を築いた。初め周囲約40華里（1華里は約322メートル）の内城を、1553年約28華里の南面外城を築き、数十万の人口を擁し、江南に通ずる大運河によって経済的基盤を固め、首都として繁栄した。1644年ここを攻陥した清も、そのまま受け継いで首都とし、おもに内城には満州（女真）人、外城には漢人その他を住まわせた。ヨーロッパ人は内城をタタール・シティTatar city、外城をチャイニーズ・シティChinese cityとよぶ。清末のアロー戦争後、1860年イギリス・フランス連合軍の侵略を受け、北京条約を結んで各国公使館が設けられることとなった。1900年には義和団事件のため日・英など八か国連合軍に攻略され、中華民国時代には北洋軍閥の拠点、保守派の金城となり、革命勢力の基地広東(カントン)・南京と対立し、内外政治の葛藤(かっとう)の場となった。日中戦争のときは支那(しな)駐屯軍総司令部が置かれ、日本の中国侵略の拠点となった。

［星　斌夫］

『陳舜臣著『北京の旅』（1978・平凡社）』▽『繭山康彦著『北京の史蹟』（1979・平凡社）』▽『田所竹彦著『北京そぞろある記』（1984・朝日新聞社）』▽『中国人民美術出版社・講談社編『新・中国の旅 1　北京とその周辺』（1985・講談社）』▽『大阪市立大学経済研究所監修『アジアの大都市5　北京・上海』（2002・日本評論社）』▽『北井一夫著『1990年代北京』（2004・冬青社）』

[参照項目] | 永定河 | 海淀 | 居庸関 | 軍都山 | 京九線 | 京広線 | 京滬線 | 京哈線 | 故宮博物院 | 紫禁城 | 周口店 | 昌平 | 清華大学 | 西山 | 石景山 | 中国科学院 | 通州 | 天安門広場 | 八達嶺 | 万里の長城 | 北京原人 | 北京首都国際空港 | 北京大学 | 北京動物園 | 密雲

天安門広場
面積約40ha、50万人を収容できるという広さを誇る、世界最大規模の広場。五・四運動、中華人民共和国成立、文化大革命など、近代中国の歴史的事件ではかならず集会やデモが行われた。中国　北京©Shogakukan">

天安門広場

長安街
北京市の中心部を東西に貫通する大通り。かつては天安門広場を中心とする東西に短い道路であったが、現在は道幅も40～100mに拡張され、東郊の工業地帯や西郊の新市街にまで延長されている。写真の朝陽区付近。中国　北京©Shogakukan">

長安街

人民大会堂
中華人民共和国建国10周年を記念して建てられた議事堂。1959年完成。ボランティアの手によって、わずか10か月で建築された。全国人民代表大会（全人代）や中国共産党の総会をはじめ、海外要人との会談などが行われる。天安門広場の西側に位置する。中国　北京©Shogakukan">

人民大会堂

北京商務中心区
北京市が世界の経済・貿易の中枢となることを目標に計画したビジネス街（通称CBD＝Central Business District）。市東部の朝陽区にある。全体の約半分がオフィスビルで、その他はマンション、商業・サービス施設、娯楽施設などとなっている。中国　北京©Shogakukan">

北京商務中心区

王府井大街

北京郊外の新興住宅地
新中国成立以来、北京の都市建設は急速に発展し、著しく市街地が拡大している。地方からの流入者が増加し、貧富の差が拡大している現状を象徴するかのように、郊外には近代的な高層マンションが次々と建設されている。中国　北京©Shogakukan">

北京郊外の新興住宅地

北京駅

北京西駅

北京の地下鉄

中国国家博物館

中国人民革命軍事博物館

紫禁城太和殿
紫禁城外朝の正殿。中国最大の木造建築物である。3層の白色大理石の基壇上に建ち、東西約60m、南北約33m。1420年に建造されたが、その後、焼失と再建を繰り返し、現在の建物は1695年に再建されたもの。世界文化遺産「北京と瀋陽の明・清朝の皇宮群」の一部（中国・1987、2004年登録）　中国　北京©Shogakukan">

紫禁城太和殿

紫禁城午門
紫禁城の正門。左右に翼廊・門廊を伸ばした雄大な構成で、世界最大の門といわれている。正面に三つの入り口があり、かつて中央の大門は皇帝専用の門であった。世界文化遺産「北京と瀋陽の明・清朝の皇宮群」の一部（中国・1987、2004年登録）　中国　北京©Shogakukan">

紫禁城午門

故宮博物院（北京）
1925年、紫禁城（故宮）の後半部に設けられたのに始まる、中国文化財の一大殿堂。宮廷建築物群を利用し、青銅器、絵画、工芸品など、超一級の美術品が展示されている。写真は乾清門。世界文化遺産「北京と瀋陽の明・清朝の皇宮群」の一部（中国・1987、2004年登録）　中国　北京©Shogakukan">

故宮博物院（北京）

天安門
明・清時代の皇宮（故宮）の南に面する正門。1417年の創建当時は承天門とよばれたが、1651年の改築の際に天安門の名に改められた。城門中央には中華人民共和国の初代国家主席毛沢東の肖像が掲げられている。中国　北京©Shogakukan">

天安門

雍和宮

頤和園
清末の女帝西太后が豪奢な生活を送り、二度にわたって外国軍に破壊されるなど、数奇な歴史をもつ広大な庭園。写真中央、万寿山南面にそびえるのは仏香閣。世界文化遺産「頤和園、北京の皇帝の庭園」（中国・1998年登録）　中国　北京©Shogakukan">

頤和園

十三陵
明代の13人の皇帝（永楽帝～崇禎帝）が葬られている陵墓群。参道には、ゾウ、ラクダ、ウマなどの動物と、文官、武官などの人物像の計36体の石人・石獣が並ぶ。2003年、世界文化遺産に追加登録された。世界文化遺産「明・清朝の皇帝陵墓群」の一部（中国・2000、2003、2004年登録）　中国　北京©Shogakukan">

十三陵

万里の長城
北方からの外敵侵入に備えて築かれた世界最大規模の城壁。現存する長城のほとんどは明代に築かれたものである。写真の八達嶺付近は中国の代表的な観光地で、国内外からの訪問客が多い。世界文化遺産「万里の長城」（中国・1987年登録）　中国　北京近郊©Shogakukan">

万里の長城

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