List of Ancient Capitals of China

Ancient Capitals of China: China has a long history each part is like a different era when one family ruled the country. Throughout history, different capitals have been chosen for various reasons.

In this article, we will discuss the four major ancient capitals that are Beijing, Nanjing, Xi’an, and Luoyang. These cities saw many big events and had lots of different rulers.

In this article, You will get to know about the List of Ancient Capitals of China.

List of Ancient Capitals of China

Capital	Dynasty (Period)
Xi’an (Chang’an)	Western Zhou – Tang dynasty (1046 BC – 907 AD)
Luoyang	Eastern Zhou – Northern Wei dynasty (770 BC – 534 AD)
Nanjing	Eastern Jin – Ming dynasty (317 – 1448 AD)
Beijing	Liao – Qing dynasty (907 – 1912 AD)

Xi’an(Chang’an)

Xi’an, previously known as Chang’an has a significant history as a capital city in China. It served as the capital for several important dynasties.

• Western Zhou Dynasty: Xi’an was the capital of the Western Zhou Dynasty (1046–771 BC). During this time, it was known as Fenghao or Haojing. The Western Zhou Dynasty was one of the earliest dynasties in China.

• Qin Dynasty: Xi’an became the capital under the Qin Dynasty (221–206 BC) when the first emperor of China, Qin Shi Huang, unified the country. He built the famous Terracotta Army near Xi’an to guard his tomb.

• Han Dynasty: The Han Dynasty (206 BC–220 AD) also choose Xi’an as its capital. It was a centre of culture, trade, and politics during this time.

• Tang Dynasty: Xi’an reached its peak as a capital during the Tang Dynasty (618–907 AD). Chang’an, as it was known then, was one of the largest and most cosmopolitan cities in the world. It served as the starting point for the famous Silk Road, connecting China to the rest of the world.

Major Landmarks and Historical Sites in Xi’an

The Terracotta Army and Horses Museum: This place is protected by the UN and it is the resting place of a huge army made of clay soldiers. They were built to guard the tomb of China’s first emperor, Qin Shi Huang, way back in the 200s BC.

In this museum, thousands of life-sized soldier statues are placed each with their unique face, hairstyle and armour, just like real soldiers. They are placed in different pits and it shows the different parts of the army like foot soldiers, archers, cavalry and even chariot drivers.

Apart from this, there are many other historical sites as well following:

• The City Wall: This old wall was built by the Ming Dynasty emperors and it is still strong and shows how they used to protect their cities.

• Big Wild Goose Pagoda: This beautiful tower was built by the emperors of the Tang Dynasty and it is famous for its design and its role in spreading Buddhism.

• Shaanxi History Museum: This museum is jam-packed with things from China’s long history and culture, especially from the Qin and Tang dynasties.

• Huaqing Pool: This is earlier a garden complex for emperors, with hot springs and a rich history from the Tang Dynasty.

Luoyang

Luoyang has a significant history as a capital city in China. It served as the capital for several important dynasties.

• Eastern Zhou Dynasty (770-255 BCE): Luoyang used to be an important city way back in the Eastern Zhou Dynasty. During this time, Luoyang was famous for all its cool art, stories and even how they made decisions for everyone.

• Eastern Han Dynasty (25-220 CE): Luoyan became the capital of the Eastern Han Dynasty in 25 CE. Under Eastern Han rule, the city experienced a golden age where it became a major hub for trade along the Silk Road and was renowned for its grand palaces, scholarly institutions, and artistic achievements.

• Later Dynasties (907-1279 CE): Luoyan became the capital of the Later Dynasty in 907 CE. Luoyan also holds significance as a capital for several smaller dynasties like Later Liang (907-923 CE), Later Tang (923-937 CE), and Later Jin (937-947 CE).

• Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127 CE): Though the main capital of the Northern Song Dynasty was Bianjing (today’s Kaifeng), Luoyang was the Western Capital of that Dynasty. At that time Luoyang is a big center for learning and business. Lots of famous thinkers and scholars came from Luoyang.

Major Landmarks and Historical Sites in Luoyang

Longmen Grottoes: The Longmen Grottoes caves are carved into a big rocky hill in China. This is like an art gallery from way back in the Tang Dynasty, over 1000 years ago.

Inside this, you will find giant statues and pictures on the walls that tell stories about Buddha. People built them to honour their religion and important Buddhist figures. Today, this place is a famous tourist place and people from all over the world come to visit this cave.

Nanjing

Nanjing has a significant history as a capital city in China. It served as the capital for several important dynasties.

• Eastern Wu: During the three kingdoms period (220–280 AD), Nanjing served as the capital of the Eastern Wu dynasty. It was known as Jianye at that time.

• Southern Tang: Southern Tang was established by the Li family in 937 AD in present-day southern China, with its capital initially in Nanjing and later moved to Jinling (modern-day Nanjing).

• Ming Dynasty: Nanjing was the capital of the Ming dynasty from 1368 to 1421 before the capital was moved to Beijing. The first Ming emperor, Zhu Yuanzhang, established Nanjing as the capital and built the majestic Ming Palace, which is now known as the Nanjing City Wall.

• Republic of China: In the early 20th century, Nanjing was briefly the capital of the Republic of China. The government led by Sun Yat-sen and later Chiang Kai-shek established Nanjing as the capital in 1912, after the fall of the Qing dynasty. During this time, significant modernization efforts were undertaken, and the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum was built.

Major Landmarks and Historical Sites in Nanjing

Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum: This is a very important place in Nanjing. In this place, people go to remember and honour Sun Yat-sen, who was a very important leader in China’s history. Sun Yat-sen helped to change China and make it a republic. The mausoleum is a beautiful place with gardens and big stairs leading up to a monument where Sun Yat-sen’s tomb is.

Beijing

Beijing is one of the largest cities and capital of China now. In Beijing, you can explore the Great Wall of China. There’s also the Forbidden City, a giant palace where emperors used to live.

• Liao (916-1125) & Jin (1115-1234) were ruled by nomadic Khitan and Jurchen peoples respectively. These rulers mixed their own cultures with the existing cultures of Beijing and make it a more interesting place.

• Yuan (1271-1368): Founded by Kublai Khan, the Yuan Mongols made Beijing the capital of a vast Eurasian empire. They built the Great Wall and started construction on the Forbidden City.

• Ming (1421-1644): Established Beijing as the official capital and built the Forbidden City.

• Qing (1644-1912): The Manchu-led Qing dynasty made Beijing as their capital as well.

• Early Republic of China (1912-1928): After the Qing dynasty, Beijing remained the capital during the early years of the Republic of China.

• People’s Republic of China (1949-present): Since the Communist revolution in 1949, Beijing has continued to be the capital of modern China.

Major Landmarks and Historical Sites in Beijing

Forbidden City: This is a huge palace complex where Chinese emperors used to live. It has many beautiful buildings and gardens inside. People couldn’t just go in whenever they wanted – it was “forbidden” to most people.

Great Wall: This is a long wall made of stone, brick, and other materials. It was built a long time ago to protect China from enemies. It stretches across mountains, deserts, and grasslands. Today, it is a famous symbol of China and a popular tourist destination.

Other Notable Ancient Capitals

Anyang: Anyang was the capital of the Shang Dynasty (1600–1046 BC). The Shang Dynasty is one of the earliest dynasties in Chinese history.

It is famous for its archaeological site at Yin Xu, where the remnants of the Shang capital can be found. Anyang’s significance lies in its status as a centre of early Chinese civilization and the discovery of oracle bones, which provide valuable insights into ancient Chinese writing and religious practices.

Kaifeng: Kaifeng served as the capital of several dynasties, including the Northern Song Dynasty (960–1127 AD). During the Northern Song period, Kaifeng was a bustling metropolis and one of the largest cities in the world.

It was known for its prosperous economy, cultural achievements, and technological innovations. Kaifeng’s significance lies in its status as a political and cultural centre during the Northern Song Dynasty.

Hangzhou: Hangzhou became the capital during the Southern Song Dynasty (1127–1279 AD) after the fall of Kaifeng to invaders. It was known for its scenic beauty, with the famous West Lake being a prominent feature of the city.

Hangzhou was also a centre of trade, culture, and artistic innovation during the Southern Song period. Its significance lies in its status as a symbol of Southern Song resilience and as a centre of economic and cultural prosperity.

Conclusion

The ancient capitals of China played crucial roles in the country’s history and development. Each capital, from Xi’an to Luoyang and Chang’an, served as the centre of power, culture, and trade during different dynasties.

These cities witnessed significant political, cultural, and economic transformations and left their lasting legacies that continue to shape modern China. Despite changes in rulers and dynasties, the significance of these ancient capitals endures, serving as reminders of China’s rich and diverse heritage. They remain symbols of the nation’s resilience and continuity through centuries of change.

FAQs on List of Ancient Capitals of China

What are the four major ancient capitals of China?

The four major ancient capitals of China are Beijing, Nanjing, Xi’an, and Luoyang.

Who established Nanjing as the capital of the Ming Dynasty?

Nanjing was established as the capital by Zhu Yuanzhang, the first emperor of the Ming Dynasty.

What are some of the significant landmarks in Beijing?

Significant landmarks in Beijing include the Forbidden City, Great Wall, and Tiananmen Square.

Apart from these 4 capitals, what are the other notable ancient capitals of China?

Beyond these 4 other notable capitals, other capitals are Anyang, Kaifeng, and Hangzhou.

Which dynasty established Luoyang as its capital?

Luoyang served as the capital for various dynasties, including the Eastern Zhou, Eastern Han, and Northern Song dynasties.