What is Kaifeng called today?

Kaifeng was the Song Dynasty capital for many years. Ask your guide to take you to the “Song City”, a street flanked by small shops and taverns a thousand years ago. The street is now under reconstruction on the old Imperial Street between the ancient imperial palace and another street called Sihoujie.

What happened to Kaifeng?

The city suffered a severe blow when the Juchen (Jin) overran North China, captured Kaifeng in 1127, and sacked it. In 1368 the first emperor of the Ming dynasty (1368–1644) made Kaifeng the capital of Henan province and built a new set of walls.

When was Kaifeng the capital of China?

The city was the capital of China during several dynasties, and was visited by Marco Polo. As capital of the Northern Song dynasty from 1013 to 1127, Kaifeng was the largest and most prosperous city in China and the world, known variously as Bianjing (汴京) or Eastern Capital (东京) .

How is Kaifeng a cosmopolitan city?

The city was a cosmopolitan centre from early times and for many centuries had the only well-documented Jewish community in China (see Kaifeng Jew). Kaifeng was the first Chinese capital to be primarily a commercial metropolis. Under the Song it was probably the most important centre of trade in East Asia.

When did Kaifeng become the largest city in the world?

It is believed that Kaifeng was the largest city in the world from 1013 to 1127. This period ended in 1127 when the city fell to Jurchen invaders during the Jingkang Incident. It subsequently came under the rule of the Jurchen Jin dynasty, which had conquered most of North China during the Jin–Song Wars.

Which is the nearest railway station to Kaifeng?

Kaifeng railway station is on the East-West Longhai Railway mainline and provides convenient access to many cities around China, including Beijing West, Shanghai, Shanghai Hongqiao, Tianjin, Xi’an, Jinan, Hangzhou. Services to Zhengzhou, Luoyang and Qingdao are also frequent and convenient.

What kind of climate does Kaifeng, China have?

In 1969, the former President of the People’s Republic of China, Liu Shaoqi, died from medical neglect while under house arrest in Kaifeng. Kaifeng has a monsoon -influenced humid subtropical climate ( Köppen Cwa) that borders on a humid continental climate, with four distinct seasons.

When did Kaifeng become the capital of the Jurchen?

Kaifeng served as the Jurchen “southern capital” from 1157 (other sources say 1161) and was reconstructed during this time. The Jurchen kept their main capital further north until 1214 when they were forced to move the imperial court southwards to Kaifeng in order to flee from the onslaught of the Mongols.