这是一部文图并茂的北京历史文化的实录。它以翔实的史料和精美的图片，记述了北京50万年以来发生、发展，特别是作为元、明、清三朝帝都的演变过程，及其作为国际大都会的重要地位。本书在对北京各个历史时期政治、经济、商贸、宗教等阐述的同时，重点介绍了每个时期的文化、艺术、园林、建筑及宫廷生活和市井民俗。本书既有全面系统的内容，又有文化艺术的价值，既有历史表述，又有国际视角，重现了古都北京的历史景象。本书为英文版。

AUTHOR'S PREFACE

INTRODUCTION

A CRADLE OF CHINESE CMLIZATION

 Physical Features of the Beijing Area

 Dawn of the Stone Age

THE BRILLIANCE OF ANCIENT YAN CMLIZATION

 Bronze Civilization

 Ji-Capital of the State of Yan

IMPORTANT STRONGHOLD UNDER THE QIN,HAN, SHI, AND TANG DYNASTIES

 North China Stronghold

 Capital of Three Yan Regimes

THE ETHNIC MINORITIES MAKE BEIJING THEIR CAPITAL

 Southern Capital Under the Liao Dynasty

 Middle Capital Under the Jurchen Dynasty

CAMBALUC OF THE MONGOL EMPIRE

 The Great Capital of Kublai Khan

 Some Features of Dadu

 Flourishing Commerce

 Science, Technology and Culture

 Cultural Exchange with Other Countries

BEIJING UNDER THE MING AND QING DYNASTIES

 The City and the Palaces

The Four City Walls

The Forbidden City:

Layout and Philosophy

 Imperial Gardens

Gardens Within the Forbidden City

Other Imperial Gardens and Parks

The Three Scenic Hills and Five Gardens

 The Life of Emperors and Empresses

Ascending the Throne

The Royal Wedding

Administration of the Empire

The Worship of Gods

The Emperor's Studies

Life Style

Imperial Mausoleums

 Culture and Art

Education

Science and Technology

Literature

Drama

Compilation of Books

Painting

Calligraphy

Special Handicrafts

Porcelain

 The "Square Courtyards".

The Separate Communities

The Business District Outside the Three Front Gates

The Mansions of Princes

Beijing's Residential Courtyards

The Life and Customs of Beijing's Residents

A Brief Chronology of Beijing

A Brief Chronology of Yuan, Ming, and Qing Dynasties

Epilogue