Peiping

Peiping is an historical English name for the Chinese city now known as Beijing. The spelling reflects older romanization systems and appears in various Western texts alongside other forms such as Peking. In modern usage, the standard romanization is Beijing.

Beijing has long been a political and cultural center in China. It served as the imperial capital for several dynasties, most notably the Ming and Qing, and later remained a major political center in the early Republic of China. During periods when the national capital was elsewhere, the city was frequently referred to as Beiping (Northern Peace) to reflect its status.

The use of Peiping/Peking declined after the establishment of the People’s Republic of China and the adoption of pinyin romanization. Since 1949, Beijing has been the official name in English-language contexts, and the form Beiping and Peiping has largely fallen out of common use in modern official writings. Nevertheless, Peiping and Peking continue to appear in historical works and in the names of enduring institutions and cultural references, such as Peking University and the historical term Peking Man.

Geographically, the city is located in northern China and functions as a major political, cultural, and educational center. It is home to landmarks such as the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, and the Temple of Heaven, and it serves as a hub for government, universities, museums, and international diplomacy.