Kaifeng, former Northern Song capital

Timeline

1. c. 1000–1100Bianjing imperial palace and imperial avenue · Kaifeng PrefectureBianjing in the Northern Song had a population exceeding one million; the imperial palace, Daxiangguo Temple, the Zhou Bridge night market and Bian River grain transport made it a flourishing capital, and the origins of jiaozi paper money and imperial examination culture were also closely tied to this city, making it a model of Song urban civilization.
2. 1127–1130Bianjing · Kaifeng PrefectureJin forces breached Bianjing, Emperors Huizon and Qinzong were taken north, the Northern Song fell, the palaces were plundered, and the city changed from imperial capital to a key northern town under Jin occupation, while the Song court moved south to Lin'an.
3. c. 1171–1180Jin southern capital (Kaifeng) · Jin southern capitalThe Jin dynasty made Kaifeng its southern capital, continuing the Bian River grain transport and city layout; palace and temple ruins and the urban memories recorded in Along the River During the Qingming Festival became cultural symbols by which Southern Song scholars recalled Northern Song prosperity, the former capital's influence persisting in North–South cultural identity.