Why Beijing Is Called Peking: History of China’s Capital Name
Understanding the Peking vs. Beijing Debate
When you hear “Peking duck” on a menu, the name feels oddly nostalgic, yet the city on most modern maps is labeled Beijing. The clash between “Peking” and “Beijing” isn’t just a quirky spelling difference; it reflects centuries of linguistic shifts, colonial encounters, and official language reforms. This article unpacks why the two names coexist, how each arose, and what they tell us about China’s evolving identity.
The Origins of the Name “Beijing”
In Mandarin, the capital is called 北京, pronounced “Bĕijīng.” The characters mean “Northern Capital,” a designation dating back to the Jin dynasty (12th century) when the city first rose as a political hub. Over the millennia, various dynasties moved their seats north or south, and the name adjusted accordingly—“Nanjing” for “Southern Capital,” for example. The modern spelling “Beijing” follows the pinyin system, which the Chinese government adopted in the 1950s to standardize Romanization.
How “Peking” Came Into English
The Western world first encountered the city through Portuguese traders in the 16th century. Early missionaries and diplomats used a Portuguese‑inspired transcription that sounded like “Peking.” Later, the British and French adopted similar spellings based on the French “Pékin” and the older Wade‑Giles system, which rendered 北京 as “Pei‑ching.” Because the city was a focal point of diplomatic negotiations—most famously the 1900 Boxer Rebellion and the 1911 revolution—the name “Peking” became entrenched in newspapers, maps, and textbooks for decades.
From Wade‑Giles to Pinyin: The Official Switch
After the establishment of the People’s Republic of China in 1949, the government sought a unified Romanization that could be taught in schools and used in international communication. Linguists developed pinyin (拼音), a system based on the sounds of Standard Mandarin. By 1958, pinyin was officially endorsed, and “Beijing” replaced “Peking” on most diplomatic documents. The transition was gradual: airlines, travel agencies, and older publications clung to “Peking” out of habit, while new signs and official correspondence adopted “Beijing.”
Why “Peking” Still Lingers in Everyday Life
Even today, “Peking” survives in cultural references that have become global brands. The dish “Peking duck,” the “Peking University” (officially 北京大学 but still commonly called “Peking University” abroad), and the “Peking Opera” all retain the older name. These terms have accumulated cultural capital that resists rebranding. Moreover, many Western languages have their own entrenched versions—French still uses “Pékin,” Russian “Пекин,” and Japanese “ペキン”—so the name “Peking” continues to appear in multilingual contexts.
Impact on Mapping, Media, and Travel
Cartographers updated most world atlases in the 1970s, but some older maps still label the capital “Peking.” Travel writers often mention both names to avoid confusion, writing “Beijing (formerly Peking).” In digital databases, search algorithms typically recognize the two as synonyms, yet the legacy spelling can affect SEO for tourism websites that still target “Peking travel.” Understanding the dual naming helps travelers navigate older guidebooks and avoid missing a reservation at “Peking Duck House” that is, in fact, in Beijing.
Pronunciation Nuances and Common Misconceptions
English speakers sometimes assume “Peking” reflects an older pronunciation of 北京, but the two spellings correspond to distinct phonetic systems. “Peking” approximates a mid‑19th‑century French‑influenced rendering, while “Beijing” mirrors the current Mandarin sound: /beɪˈdʒɪŋ/. The “k” in “Peking” does not represent a hard “g” sound that exists in the Chinese pronunciation; it merely reflects the transliteration conventions of the time.
Political and Cultural Significance
Choosing “Beijing” over “Peking” can signal respect for China’s modern linguistic policies. Conversely, retaining “Peking” in certain contexts can evoke nostalgia or highlight historical continuity. For scholars of Sino‑Western relations, the name debate illustrates how language serves as a subtle instrument of power: the shift to pinyin was as much about asserting national sovereignty as it was about simplifying foreign transcription.
What to Use When Writing About the Capital
- If you are referring to contemporary politics, geography, or official documents, use Beijing.
- If discussing historical events before the 1950s, cultural products, or internationally recognized brands, Peking remains appropriate.
- When in doubt, include both: “Beijing (historically known as Peking).”
FAQ
Q: When did the official name change from Peking to Beijing?
A: The Chinese government adopted pinyin in 1958, and “Beijing” became the standard Romanization shortly thereafter; most international bodies followed during the 1960s and 1970s.
Q: Are “Peking” and “Beijing” interchangeable in modern Chinese?
A: No. In Mandarin, the city is only called 北京 (Beijing). “Peking” exists mainly in foreign languages and historic contexts.
Q: Why does the university still use “Peking University” in English?
A: The institution was founded in 1898 under the name “Imperial University of Peking.” The English name has remained for brand continuity, even though the Chinese name is 北京大学 (Beijing Daxue).
Q: Should travelers book flights to “Peking” or “Beijing”?
A: All major airlines and airports use “Beijing” (PEK is the IATA code). Booking with “Peking” may still work but could cause confusion in some reservation systems.
