Dai Yi, professor at Renmin University of China's Institute of Qing History, called for more attention on the research of Nanhaizi's history and culture and further efforts to protect its ecological environment.

The professor, also head of the National Commission for the Compilation of Qing Dynasty History, shared his view on Nanhaizi culture at a forum in Beijing on Dec 8.

Nanhaizi in southern Beijing is an important area of ethnic integration and witnessed friendly exchanges between nomadic and farming groups, as well as wars, Dai said.

It was the exchange and integration of the culture of ethnic minorities and Han culture in the Central Plains that provided a more solid foundation for safeguarding of national unity and solidarity, he explained.

“Nanhaizi was a very important site in the Qing dynasty (1644-1911),” Dai said, it was a political and cultural center at that time.

Emperors Shunzhi and Kangxi often dealt with governmental affairs in Nanhaizi at the beginning of their reigns. It was also a royal site for hunting, nomadic life, leisure, entertainment and military training.

He mentioned a historical book called Ri Xia Jiu Wen Kao, which describes the Tuanhe Xionggong (temporary dwelling place of an emperor), temples like Deshou Temple and rivers such as the Tuanhe River and the Fenghe River in Nanhaizi.

Emperors Kangxi and Qianlong also wrote poems about the architecture, culture, the environment and political events of Nanhaizi. Their works were recorded in historical classics.

Dai said he was glad to see that Beijing pays a great deal of attention to the development of Nanhaizi, since the area plays an important role in Beijing's hydro-ecology and water system.