Beiping
/ˌbeɪˈpɪŋ/noun
A historical name for Beijing, China, used officially during several periods, including 1928–1949.
Did you know?The name Beiping was deliberately contrasted with Beijing, meaning “Northern Capital,” after the Nationalist government moved China’s capital south to Nanjing.
Etymological Timeline
Warring States period
Chinese
北平
“An early place-name meaning “northern peace” or “to pacify the north,” associated with the region.”
1368
Ming Chinese
北平 (Běipíng)
“The Ming dynasty restored the name after renaming the former Yuan capital, signaling that the north had been pacified.”
1403
Ming Chinese
北京 (Běijīng)
““Northern Capital”; the city was renamed when it became the Ming dynasty’s northern seat of government.”
1928
Republic of China
北平 (Běipíng)
“The Nationalist government changed the official name from Beijing to Beiping after establishing Nanjing as the national capital.”
1937–1945
English/Chinese
Beiping
“The name continued during the Japanese occupation, although competing regimes used different political designations.”
1949
Modern Mandarin
北京 (Běijīng)
“The People’s Republic of China restored Beijing, “Northern Capital,” as the city’s official name.”