Synopsis
Changan was China's most famous ancient capital. Today's Xi'an is the same city under a different name, with over 1,100 years of capital history.
Overview
Changan was one of China's most iconic ancient capitals. Today's Xi'an in Shaanxi Province is the same city. From the Western Zhou to the Tang Dynasty, Changan served as the capital for over 1,100 years across 13 dynasties.
Then and Now
| Ancient Changan | Modern Xi'an |
|---|---|
| Tang Changan area ~84 sq km | Xi'an area 10,108 sq km |
| Population ~1 million | Population ~13 million |
| Daming Palace | Daming Palace National Heritage Park |
| Da Ci'en Temple | Giant Wild Goose Pagoda |
| Huaqing Palace | Huaqing Hot Springs |
Tang Dynasty Changan
The Tang Dynasty was Changan's golden age. It was the world's largest city with an area of 84 sq km and a population exceeding one million. The city was carefully planned along a north-south central axis.
From Changan to Xi'an
After the founding of the Ming Dynasty, the Xi'an city wall was built on the foundation of the Tang imperial city, and Changan was renamed Xi'an. Today it remains one of China's great historical and cultural cities.
References
- Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, Records of Changan
- Yang Kuan, History of Chinese Capital Cities
- Xi'an City Wall Management
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