From Dynasties to Ducks: A Hacked History of Beijing with Dr. Jeremiah Jenne

Date: Saturday, September 16
Time: 3:00 pm – 4:30 pm

Is it Peking or Beijing? Who Built the City? Why is Beijing the capital? Join Dr. Jeremiah Jenne as he unravels the fascinating history of Beijing in a captivating, entertaining, and occasionally irreverent lecture. From its earliest settlements to its rise as China’s capital, we’ll delve into the stories and mysteries that shaped this remarkable city. Along the way, we’ll meet the famous (and infamous) figures who left their mark on Beijing, from emperors and eunuchs to the Ming and the Manchus.

Journey through centuries of history as we explore the walls, gates, streets, and archives that tell the tale of Beijing’s transformation. With Dr. Jenne as your guide, you’ll be treated to an engaging, lively, and insightful talk that answers all your questions about this iconic city. Don’t miss this romp through Beijing’s rich past!

Location: The Hutong Main Room
Cost: 150 RMB (100 RMB for students members of The Hutong and members of RASBJ)

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 and is the proprietor of Beijing by Foot, which organizes educational programs and historic walking tours of Beijing’s most famous sites and less-traveled byways. Along with David Moser, Jeremiah hosts the podcast Barbarians at the Gate.