These folktales are translated from Beijing Legends, compiled by Jin Shoushen, a Manchu gentleman whose family lived for many generations in Beijing. The folktales in this collection, with a genuine Chinese flavour, carry readers back to the building of Beijing as the Ming-dynasty capital in 1421. Dealing with the city's layout, some of its chief monuments, place names and different legends, they give readers fascinating glimpses of the life of rulers as well as ordinary people. Content is in English.