A startling, eye-opening account of a fascinating and decisive moment in Chinese history, packed with evocative stories. Jasper Becker tells the story of why and how China's leaders set about to destroy and rebuild one of the world's greatest cities and how many of the residents tried to stop it and protect their great architectural legacy.

The great city of Beijing, capital of China from the ninth century, and given its form for five hundred years by the Ming Dynasty, was for a millennium one of the most extraordinary places on earth. At a time when London, Paris, or Rome had only several hundred thousand residents, Beijing held over a million. This book tells the history of this great city, and through it provides a highly engaging summary history of China. In the summer of 1997, President Jiang Zemin made a decision to destroy the old city. There was no announcement, no explanation given, nor any attempt made to justify his decision. Even those working as architects only became aware of what was happening when it was already too late. Expertly moving between historical analysis and reportage, Jasper Becker describes the impact of this systematic destruction, a unique telling of the history of Beijing that encapsulates both the grandeur of its creation and the tragedy of its current transformation.

Dave and Myra Lochwood had just retired. They decided to sell their home and follow their dreams of finding their retirement paradise. Thinking they had found that perfect place in the South, on what they thought would fulfill all of their hopes, and where they could buy an affordable plot of land to build their retirement sanctuary. But, the alluring brochures Myra had received months before, said nothing of the grossly overpriced and overdeveloped turmoil they found when they arrived. Shocked by what they discovered, they returned home only to find their house was sold. They had to find another place to live in less than a month. Fortunately, some friend of theirs, told them about the little mountain town of Tranquility. They checked it out and it had everything they were looking for, they found their unspoiled paradise near the little mountain village named, Tranquility. The Lochwoods were happily content in their pristine environment until the arrival of the land developers. The developers pushed ahead with the clearing of the land and the removal of vast acres of timber. Later, the hidden purpose of the developers was revealed in their conflict with Barton Campbell, the local minister of the church in Tranquility. Dave and Myra found themselves caught in the middle of the struggle between their friend, Barton, and the pressure of the land developers moving ever closer to their home.

Under Kublai Khan, the Mongols conquered the Southern Song Dynasty and established rule over China. The ensuing Yuan Dynasty, though in power for less than a century, was notable for its blending of Mongol and Chinese culture in drama, music, and painting, as well as government reform and public-works projects. In this riveting account, readers will learn about daily life in the Yuan Dynasty for both the upper classes and the common people, and they will join Kublai Khan on some of his ill-fated later invasion attempts.

The Mongols, their khans, and the empire they built and ruled in the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries exert an enduring fascination. Caricatured as a marauding horde that ravaged surrounding peoples, in reality the Mongols created institutions, trading networks, economic systems, and intellectual and technological exchanges that shaped the early modern world. However, the centuries after the waning of Mongol power remain overlooked in comparison to the days of Chinggis Khan. The Precious Summary is the most important work of Mongolian history on the three-hundred-year period before the rise of the Manchu Qing dynasty. Written by Sagang Sechen in 1662, shortly after the Mongols’ submission to the Qing, it chronicles the fall of the Yuan dynasty in China, the Mongol-Oirat wars, and the revival of Mongol power during the reign of Dayan Khan in the sixteenth century. Sagang Sechen’s masterful account spans Buddhist cosmology, Chinggis Khan, the post-Yuan Mongols, Chinese history, and the Mongols’ conversion to Buddhism—and throughout, it attempts to come to terms with the new Manchu state. Featuring extensive and accessible annotations and explanations of historical context, Johan Elverskog’s translation of the Precious Summary offers invaluable perspective on Inner Asian and Chinese history, Mongolian historiography, and the history of Buddhism in Asia.

DK Eyewitness Top 10: Beijing will lead you straight to the best attractions this rewarding and vibrant city has to offer. Whether you want to explore the Forbidden City, visit Tian'an Men Square, rickshaw around the back lanes of Hou Hai, or walk the Great Wall of China, this travel guide is packed with essential information, whatever your budget. There are dozens of Top 10 lists, including the Top 10 restaurants, Top 10 liveliest bars and clubs, the Top 10 places to stay in Beijing, plus there's even a Top 10 list of Things to Avoid. DK Eyewitness Top 10: Beijing is packed with beautiful illustrations and detailed cutaways of the greatest attractions of this intriguing city, with comprehensive reviews and recommendations of Beijing's best hotels, markets, festivals, and shopping to ensure you don't miss a thing. Your guide to the Top 10 best of everything in Beijing.

The Rough Guide to Beijing is the ultimate travel guide to China's remarkable capital city. From the majestic Forbidden City and maze-like hutong alleys to gorgeous lake-filled parks and the exquisite Summer Palace, this vibrant book - packed full of stunning photography and clear, colour-coded maps - reveals the city's best sights and attractions. And if you fancy taking a trip outside of Beijing, you'll be pointed in the right direction: incredible treks around the Great Wall, ancient villages, imperial hunting parks and fascinating, offbeat museums are all part of the mix. Comprehensive sections detail the very best places to sleep, eat, drink, shop and unwind: check out our author picks and "Beijing's Best" boxes, selecting atmospheric courtyard hotels, stylish bars, edgy art galleries, lively antiques markets, and much more. Expert reviews on film, literature and live music create a rounded and exciting picture of modern Beijing. However long you're staying, and whatever your budget, The Rough Guide to Beijing has you covered.