Peking

Etymology and other names

Modern	Beijing
	Peking
	Paquin
	Pagnia
	Pequin

Maps

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  1701 A system of geography by Herman Moll

Sources from old books

1652. Cosmographie in four bookes by Peter Heylyn.

Paquin or Pagnia, where the King continually resideth; and that, either because the air hereof is more healthfull and pleasant, than any of the other, or because it lieth neer unto the Tartars, with whom the Chinois are in perpetuall warre: so that from hence the dangers which may by their invasions happen unto the Countrey, may with more convenience be either prevented, or remedied. The City said to be inferiour to Nanquin for bulk and beauty, but to exceed it in multitude of Inhabitants, Souldiers, and Magistrates, occasioned by the Kings abode. Environed on the South, with two walls, of so great breadth that twelve horsemen may runne a brest upon them; on the North, with one wall onely, but that so strong and vigilantly guarded, that they fear as little annoyance on that side as they do on the other. But the greatest Omament hereof is the Royall Palace, compassed about with a triple wall, the outwardmost of which would well inviron a large City: within which space, besides the many lodgings for Eunuchs and other Courtiers, are Groves, hills, fountains, Rivers, and the like places of pleasure: larger in circuit, but not comparable for the Arts of Architecture to the Royall Palaces of Europe.

1676. A most exact and accurate map of the whole world by Donald Lupton.

The Royal City Paquin, walled so thick with brick, that twelve horse-men may go abreast upon the wall of it.

1682. Cosmography and geography in two parts by Richard Blome.

The City of Xunthienfu or Pequin is of a vast bigness, containing within its Walls (made of Free-stone, and strongly fortified with Bulwarks) which are in circumference near 30 Leagues, about 3300 Pagodes or Temples, wherein are continually sacrificed a great number of Wild-Beasts and Birds: These Pagodes, especially those of the Order of the Menegrepos, Conquinys and Talagrepos, who are the Priests of the 4 Sects of Xaca, Amida, Gizan and Canon, are sumptuous Structures. To the Wall which encompasseth this City, for the conveniency of its Inhabitants are 360 Gates, to each of which is joyned a small Fort where a Guard is continually kept, as also a Register, to take the names of all Persons that pass thereat. The Streets are long, broad, and well composed, and its houses fair and lofty; each of the chief Streets having its Captain and other Officers, who are to look after the same, which every night are shut up by Gates. Here are about 120 Aquaeducts or Canals, which traverse the City, upon which are near 1800 fair Bridges sustained on Arches. Without the City in a tract of 7 Leagues long and 3 broad, are about 80000 Tombs of the Mandarins, which are small Chapels, richly beautified, nigh unto which are about 500 great Palaces, which they call the Houses of the Sun, which are inhabited by those that can no longer bear Armes for the Emperour of China; either through age, sickness or other infirmities. Also here are about 1300 stately Houses inhabited by Religious Men and Women. There are several Streets of a great length, only possessed by People of one profession, as one by near 14000 Taverns; another by innumerable many Courtizans, and another by about 24000 Oarmen, which belong to the Emperours Panourers. Here are also 32 great Colledges for those that study the Laws. Likewise there are abundance of large Houses, with spacious inclosures of Gardens, Woods, provided of Game, near this City, which said Houses or rather Inns, serve only to give entertainment to people of all degrees, by seeing of Plaies, Combates, Bulbaitings, &c. and the Palace Royal of the Emperour, which is in this City for its largeness, fairness and richness, is not inferior to any in the East; this City being his residence for the Northern Provinces, as Nanquin is for the Southern.

1685. Geographia universalis: the present state of the whole world by Pierre Duval.

Pekin, otherwise Peguin, has a City of the same Name, the Capital of all the State, with a Castle-Royal. It is probably the City, which several Authors call Cambalu; what those Authors call Cathai, is nothing else than Northern China. In the Year 1644. This City was surpriz'd, and pillag'd, by a Rebel, who dissipated, in a few days, all the Riches which sixteen Kings had heaped up, during two hundred and fourscore Years. Since that, the Tartars of Niuche, whom they call Kin, have rendred themselves Masters of it; and by the taking of Nakin, and Canton, have setled their Conquests in the great Kingdom of China.

1695. A New Body of Geography by A. Sewall & T. Child.

This excellent Country hath been governed a long time by a King or Emperour, whom his Subjects call the Lord of the Universe, and Son of Heaven. His Residence is at Nanquin, and sometimes at Pekin. The Government is not much changed, although it be at present subject to the Great Cham of the Tartars.

THE City of Pequin, Pequinum, is at present the chief City of China, and the Seat of the Emperour; a great and strong City, standing about 30 Leagues distant from the Wall, in a barren Country. It is famous for the King's Palace, it's lofty Buildings, large Extent, and great number of Inhabitants. According to the Relation of our Geographers, there is no City in the World so big as Pekin, or Pequinum; it is inclosed with a double Wall of Carved Stone, in which are 360 Gates, every one of which is a Castle fortify'd with two High Towers. It is said to be 30 Leagues in Compass without the Suburbs, which are almost as large as the City. The Emperour's Palace is above a League about, defended by 2 or 3 Walls, with Banks and Ditches, and guarded with 10000 chosen Men.