Beizhili (Ming province)

Beizhili, formerly romanized as Pei-chih-li, Pechili, Peichili, etc. and also known as North or Northern Zhili or Chih-li, was a historical province of the Ming dynasty. It mostly covered the area of the Yuan province of Zhongshu (lit. "Central Administration") and took its own name (lit. "Northern Directly Administered Area") from Beijing's status as one of the Ming dynasty's capitals.

CapitalBeijing

Today part of

• China
  • Hebei
  • Beijing
  • Tianjin
  • Shandong
  • Henan

Quick facts 北直隸, Capital ...

Beizhili 北直隸
Province of the Ming dynasty
1376–1645
Capital	Beijing
History
• Established	1376
• Disestablished	1645
Today part of	China Hebei Beijing Tianjin Shandong Henan

Close

Due to Beijing being the imperial capital, the Ming dynasty exempted the surrounding region from the standard administrative hierarchy of provinces, prefectures, and counties. Instead, Beizhili and its southern equivalent, Nanzhili, functioned as unique administrative zones. Neither region was overseen by a provincial governor; local administrators reported straight to the central government ministries in the capital.^[1] The city of Beijing itself was administered as part of Shuntian prefecture, an entity established under the Yongle Emperor that eventually grew to govern twenty-two subordinate counties and departments.^[1] This central-heavy structure fostered a strong local identity tied to the prefecture, but it prevented the city from integrating with the broader region. As a result, the unified provincial identity that characterized other Ming territories never materialized in Beizhili.^[1]

In 1645, at the beginning of the Qing dynasty, the name of Beizhili was changed to Zhili.^{[citation needed]}