Lóngqìng

Longqing occupies a basin north of the mountains guarding Beijing. It was a prefecture under the Yuan and remained an important frontier post under the Ming, with a garrison and fortifications protecting the road through Badaling. In 1567 the prefecture was renamed Yanqing to avoid the new emperor’s reign title, Longqing. Nearby forts supported the garrison city and prevented it from standing alone beyond the passes.