Four Great Ancient Capitals of China

China has a long history that has lasted over 5000 years. During this long period, there are four great ancient capitals in China. Chronologically, they are Xi'an, Luoyang, Nanjing, and Beijing.

Xi'an: the capital of the Shanxi province, which was called Chang'an in ancient time, is one of the oldest cities in China, with more than 3,100 years of history. It has held that position under several of the most important dynasties in Chinese history, including Zhou, Qin, Han, Sui, and Tang. Xi'an is the eastern terminus of the Silk Road and home to the Terracotta Army.

Mount Hua, one of the great mountains of China

Terracotta Army inside the Qin Shi Huang Mausoleum, 3rd century BCE.

Bell Tower of Xi'an

Luoyang: is a prefecture-level city in western Henan province of Central China. Situated on the central plain of China, it was one of the cradles of the Chinese civilization.

 

White Horse Temple

 

Peony: the city flower of Luoyang

Longmen Grottoes

Nanjing: the capital of Jiangsu province in China and has a prominent place in Chinese history and culture, having been the capital of China on several occasions. Nanjing has long been one of China's most important cities. It was the capital of Sun Qian's Wu during the Three Kingdoms Period and the capital of the Republic of China prior to its flight to Taiwan during the Chinese Civil War.

Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum

 

The National Government of the Republic of China in Nanjing, 1927

Zhonghua Gate is the south gate of the walled city of Nanjing. The city wall was built in the 14th century and is the longest in the world.

Beijing: also known as Peking, is the capital of the People's Republic of China. The city is the country's political, cultural, and educational center,[4] and home to the headquarters for most of China's largest state-owned companies.

The Forbidden City of Beijing

 

Beijing's Temple of Heaven

The Summer Palace

Today, because of their profound cultural traditions, the four cities, especially Xi'an and Luoyang, are famous of tourism, a great many people around the world go to the four cities for traveling every year.