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Beijing Through the Ages: A Historic Introduction with Dr. Jeremiah Jenne

Beijing Through the Ages: A Historic Introduction with Dr. Jeremiah Jenne


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Can't make this time? A video recording will be sent to all participants after the seminar.

A unique combination of both modern and traditional, Beijing has survived khans, emperors, revolution, Starbucks, and COVID-19 to become one of the globe's booming megalopolises. This conversation offers a historic introduction to China's capital as we cover its evolution through the ages.
One of the world's oldest cities, Beijing has spent most of its nearly three-millennia of history at the forefront of Chinese culture and politics: first as one of the country's last Four Great Ancient Capitals, today as the capital of the People's Republic of China.
This seminar offers a comprehensive primer on the city's history, broad as it is deep. We'll start with a short introduction as to how Beijing came to be located where it is. We'll then discuss the city through its various fascinating eras, from imperial capital in the days of Kublai Khan, through to the Ming, the Manchus, Mao, and beyond. Using images from famous sites in and around the city, we'll take in visual evidence of what has changed, what's being preserved, and what's being lost in China's rush to modernize.
Led by a history teacher, writer, and longtime Beijing resident Jeremiah Jenne, this interactive seminar offers the opportunity for a deep dive into the history of this intriguing capital. Designed to inform curiosity as well as future travels, this interactive seminar will explore how the history of Beijing has shaped its modern and contemporary culture.

Jeremiah is a writer and historian based in Beijing since 2002. He earned his Ph.D. from the University of California, Davis, and taught Late Imperial and Modern Chinese History for over 15 years. His essays and articles on China have appeared in The Economist, South China Morning Post, The Journal of Asian Studies, Los Angeles Review of Books, and The World of Chinese. His writings can also be found in China in 2008: A Year of Great Significance, The Insider's Guide to Beijing, and the 2015 collection While We're Here: China Stories from a Writer's Colony. Jeremiah is frequently asked to speak and lead workshops on history, culture, and cultural adaptation for students, embassies, companies, and community groups. Along with David Moser, Jeremiah hosts the podcast Barbarians at the Gate.

This conversation is suitable for all ages.

90 minutes, including a 30 minute Q&A.

Customer Reviews

Based on 9 reviews
56%
(5)
44%
(4)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
C
Customer (Chicopee, US)
A lively and informative conversation

Jeremiah is a terrific China guide. His conversations are lively and informative, bringing to life different places in this large and diverse country. He is able to take thousands of years of a complex history and simplify it in an entertaining way for the average Context guest. Beijing Through the Ages was no exception.

L
Laura (Idyllwild, US)
Fascinating history

I learned so much from this fast-paced seminar. Jeremiah is truly an expert on the subject and he lightens things up with fun insights.

V
Virginia (Redondo Beach, US)

I very much appreciated the depth and breadth of this overview of Beijing. Despite covering so much information (which could have been dense and dry), Jeremiah was engaging, incredibly informed, and clearly passionate about the subject matter. The time flew by and left me wanting to learn and explore more.

C
Consuelo Duroc-Danner (Dallas, US)

Informative presentation. Nice mix of maps, photos and video to enrich lecture. Well done.

F
Fazurin

Some of us are still working so having sessions during the week and on weekends would be great to cater to both working and non-working crowds.

Customer Reviews

Based on 9 reviews
56%
(5)
44%
(4)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
C
Customer (Chicopee, US)
A lively and informative conversation

Jeremiah is a terrific China guide. His conversations are lively and informative, bringing to life different places in this large and diverse country. He is able to take thousands of years of a complex history and simplify it in an entertaining way for the average Context guest. Beijing Through the Ages was no exception.

L
Laura (Idyllwild, US)
Fascinating history

I learned so much from this fast-paced seminar. Jeremiah is truly an expert on the subject and he lightens things up with fun insights.

V
Virginia (Redondo Beach, US)

I very much appreciated the depth and breadth of this overview of Beijing. Despite covering so much information (which could have been dense and dry), Jeremiah was engaging, incredibly informed, and clearly passionate about the subject matter. The time flew by and left me wanting to learn and explore more.

C
Consuelo Duroc-Danner (Dallas, US)

Informative presentation. Nice mix of maps, photos and video to enrich lecture. Well done.

F
Fazurin

Some of us are still working so having sessions during the week and on weekends would be great to cater to both working and non-working crowds.