The Transformation of the Old City of Beijing, China—A Concrete Manifestation of New China’s Cultural Reconstruction - Symposium on Chinese Historical Geography - page 39

Dynasty originally had its capital at Nanjing. After it occupied Dadu, it changed that
city's name to Beiping or “North Pacifi cation.” During the reign of the third emperor,
who intended to rule from Beiping, to begin with the name was changed to Beijing,
or “Northern Capital,” and then the capital function itself was moved from Nanjing
to Beijing. Concurrently, a major reconstruction of the city was begun (Fig. 2.5 ).

Fig. 2.5 Dadu City's transformation into Beijing City under the Ming dynasty