In a city that like old Beijing was built out of wood, one of the biggest scares was fire. When a fire raged, it would have immediate catastrophic consequences, but the flames would also ignite significant developments in the capital. Because out of the ashes of devastation long lasting societal changes would grow.

The story of Beijing’s first public toilet

The history of the ring roadsThe odd couple of the pagoda and the chimney has 900 years between. The buddhist tower is in fact probably the oldest building in all of Beijing

There are a surprising number of German footprints on the development of modern Beijing. Where the British, Japanese and American influence on republican Beijing is well known, the German impact on the city is often forgotten.

The history of the ring roads

Chang’an Avenue - Beijing's Revolutionary Road Part Two

​Changan Avenue - Beijing’s Revolutionary Road Part 1

Next to the Tiananmen there is a red gate. It leads into a garden called the Zhongshan park.

Mao Zedong never officially visited the Forbidden City. However, three times within the same week in 1953, he stood upon its wall. A common theory is that when he climbed atop the 500-year-old fortification he was discussing with other members of government and advisors what it would look like if

In the 1920s plans were drawn up by the Swedish architect Albin Stark to convert the Hall Of Absolute Harmony in the Forbidden City to a parliament, but because of interference by the strongest warlord in the North Wu Peifu the plans were shelved.