Jin Shangjing Historical Museum

The entrance corridor to the museum epitomizes the belligerency of the Jurchens. Most Chinese learn of the Jin Dynasty from the story of Yue Fei, the fiery general who fought the Jurchens' invasion.[Photo/chinadaily.com.cn]

Wanyan Zonghan (1080AD-1137) was an eminent general of the Jin Dynasty. Many of his descendents now live in Taiwan.[Photo/chinadaily.com.cn]

Jin Dynasty lasted from 1115 to 1234, and its first four emperors were based in what is now suburban Harbin. Jin was ruled by a clan of the Jurchens, ancestors of the Manchus who established the Qing Dynasty some 500 years later when they conquered all of China. Jin abducted two of Song Dynasty's emperors and pushed as far south as River Huai, essentially turning Song into Southern Song. After the reigns of ten emperors, it was ultimately defeated by the Mongols.