Beijing

The northern terminus of the Grand Canal, Beijing served as the imperial capital during the Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties when the Silk Road reached its height. The Forbidden City stands as a monument to the wealth generated through these trade networks, with its 9,999 rooms showcasing the finest materials gathered from across the empire and beyond. Walking through Tiananmen Square toward the ancient palace complex, it's striking how this city's layout was designed to emphasize imperial power and control over the trade routes that enriched it. The nearby Temple of Heaven, where emperors performed rituals to ensure good harvests, features a circular design representing heaven that influenced architecture throughout Asia.

Beijing's position at the crossroads of northern trade routes made it vulnerable to outside influence, visible in the Tibetan-style White Dagoba at Beihai Park and the Mongolian elements in the city's traditional architecture. Unlike the more cosmopolitan coastal cities, Beijing maintained stricter control over foreign merchants, housing them in designated areas and regulating their movements. This cautious approach to trade is reflected in the design of the Forbidden City itself—open to tribute-bearing envoys but closed to ordinary merchants. Today's Silk Street Market and Panjiayuan Antique Market continue Beijing's commercial traditions, though with considerably less imperial oversight.