Editing Harbin (section)

===Early history===
Human settlement in the Harbin area dates from at least 2200 BC during the late [[Stone Age]]. [[Wanyan Aguda]], the founder and first emperor (reigned 1115–1123) of the [[Jin dynasty (1115–1234)|Jin dynasty]] (1115–1234), was born in the [[Jurchen people|Jurchen]] [[Wanyan]] tribes who resided near the [[Ashi River]] in this region.<ref>{{cite book|author1= Su Jinyuan|title=On Wanyan Aguda's Political and Economic Reform|date= February 1982|publisher=[[Collected Papers of History Studies]]}}</ref>  In AD&nbsp;1115 Aguda established Jin's capital Shangjing (Upper Capital) [[Huining Prefecture]] in today's [[Acheng District]] of Harbin.<ref name="chinakindnesstour.com">{{cite web |url= http://www.chinakindnesstour.com/cityguide/Harbin/Attractions/cityguide_2532.shtml |title= The Remains of Huining in Shangjing of Jin Dynasty |publisher= China Kindness Tour |access-date= 2014-10-15 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150923202824/http://www.chinakindnesstour.com/cityguide/Harbin/Attractions/cityguide_2532.shtml |archive-date= 2015-09-23 }}</ref> After Aguda's death, the new emperor [[Emperor Taizong of Jin|Wanyang Sheng]] ordered the construction of a new city on a uniform plan. The planning and construction emulated major Chinese cities, in particular [[Bianjing]] ([[Kaifeng]]), although the Jin capital was smaller than its [[Northern Song]] prototype.<ref name="tao28">Tao (1976). Pages 28-32.</ref> Huining Prefecture served as the first superior capital of the Jin Empire until [[Wanyan Liang]] (the fourth emperor of the Jin Dynasty) moved the capital to Yanjing (now [[Beijing]]) in 1153.<ref name="tao44">Tao, p. 44.</ref> Liang even went to destroy all palaces in his former capital in 1157.<ref name="tao44" /> Wanyan Liang's successor Wanyan Yong ([[Emperor Shizong of Jin|Emperor Shizong]]) restored the city and established it as a secondary capital in 1173.<ref>[http://search.eb.com/eb/article-9003190 "A-ch'eng"]. (2006). In ''Encyclopædia Britannica''.  Retrieved 4 December 2006 from Encyclopædia Britannica Online.</ref> Ruins of the Shangjing Huining Prefecture were discovered and excavated about {{convert|2|km|abbr=on}} from present-day Acheng's central urban area.<ref name="chinakindnesstour.com" /><ref name="bowuguan" /> The site of the old Jin capital ruins is a national historic reserve, and includes the {{ill|Jin Dynasty History Museum|zh|哈尔滨市阿城区金上京历史博物馆|vertical-align=sup}}. The museum, open to the public, was renovated in late 2005.<ref name="bowuguan">{{cite web |url=http://ta.harbin.gov.cn/hrblvyouju/display.php?id=588 |script-title=zh:金上京历史博物馆 |publisher=Harbin People's Government |language=zh-cn}}{{Dead link|date=December 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Mounted statues of Aguda and of his chief commander [[Wanyan Nianhan|Wanyan Zonghan]] (also Nianhan) stand in the grounds of the museum.<ref>{{cite news|url= http://heilongjiang.northeast.cn/system/2005/09/19/050136470.shtml=|script-title= zh:阿骨打、粘罕雕像落成 Aguda's and Nianhan's statues completed|access-date= 15 October 2014|publisher= 东北网| language=zh-hans|title= Funny Games Enjoy Now}}{{Dead link|date=August 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
Many of the artifacts found there are on display in nearby Harbin.{{citation needed|date=February 2025}}

After the [[Mongol conquest of the Jin dynasty|Mongol conquest of the Jin Empire]] (1211–1234), Huining Prefecture was abandoned. In the 17th century, the Manchus used building materials from Huining Prefecture to construct their new stronghold in [[Acheng District|Alchuka]]. The region of Harbin remained largely rural until the 19th century, with over ten villages and about 30,000 people in the city's present-day urban districts by the end of the 19th century.<ref name="Historical Evolution">{{cite web |url=http://www.harbin.gov.cn/english/Harbin_Overview/Historical_Evolution.htm |title=Historical Evolution |publisher=Harbin Municipal Government |access-date=2017-01-17 |quote=At the end of the 19th century, there were over ten villages and about 30,000 people in Harbin, and the economic elements such as transportation, trade, and population began to develop, which laid the foundation for formation and development of the city. |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130130223146/http://www.harbin.gov.cn/english/Harbin_Overview/Historical_Evolution.htm |archive-date=2013-01-30 }}</ref>