The Chinese phrase Four Great Ancient Capitals of China (traditional Chinese: 中國四大古都; simplified Chinese: 中国四大古都; pinyin: Zhōngguó Sì Dà Gǔdū) traditionally refers to Beijing, Nanjing, Luoyang, and Chang'an (Xi'an). China ( Wade-Giles ( Mandarin) Chung¹kuo² is a cultural region, an ancient Civilization, and depending on perspective a National Pinyin, more formally Hanyu pinyin, is the most common Standard Mandarin Romanization system in use ( Chinese: 南京 Romanizations Nánjīng ( Pinyin) Nan-ching ( Wade-Giles Luoyang ( is a Prefecture-level city in western Henan province, People's Republic of China. Chang'an ( is an ancient Capital of more than ten dynasties in Chinese history. UserEl_C --> Xi'an ( Postal map spelling: Sian is the Capital of the Shaanxi province in the

This article contains Chinese text. Without proper rendering support, you may see question marks, boxes, or other symbols instead of Chinese characters. Mojibake is the happenstance of incorrect unreadable characters (garbage characters shown when Computer software fails to render a text correctly according to its associated A Chinese character, also known as a Han character ( is a Logogram used in writing Chinese (hanzi Japanese (

After the 1920s as more discoveries were made, other historical capitals were added to the list. The later phrase Seven Ancient Capitals of China included Kaifeng (added in the 1920s as the fifth ancient capital), Hangzhou (the sixth, added in the 1930s), and Anyang (after a proposal by archaeologists in 1988, it became the seventh ancient capital). Kaifeng ( formerly known as Bianliang ( Bianjing ( Daliang ( or simply Liang ( is a Prefecture-level city in eastern ( Postal map spelling: Hangchow) is a Sub-provincial city located in the Yangtze River Delta in the People's Republic of China, Anyang ( is a Prefecture-level city in Henan province, People's Republic of China. In 2004, the China Ancient Capital Society officially added Zhengzhou as an eighth, thanks to archaeological finds there. Zhengzhou ( formerly called Zhengxian is a Prefecture-level city, and the capital of Henan province, People's Republic of China.

List of historical capitals of China

Historical capitals in use prior to the 20th century.

Historical capitals in use from the 20th century onwards.

In alphabetical order:

• Anyang was the capital during the Yin period of the Shang Dynasty: called Yin (殷 Yīn). Anyang ( is a Prefecture-level city in Henan province, People's Republic of China. The Shang Dynasty ( Chinese: 商[[wiktionary 朝|朝]] or Yin Dynasty ( 殷[[wiktionary 代|代]] was according to traditional sources the Yinxu ( is the ruins of the last capital of China's Shang Dynasty ( 1766 BC - 1050 BC)

• Beijing (formerly Romanized as Peking, from Chinese Postal Map Romanization (CPMR); briefly known as Peiping in Wade-Giles (WG) or Beiping in pinyin (py)) was and has been the capital of various Chinese governments including (sorted chronologically):

State of Yan (Yen in WG) in Spring and Autumn Period (722-481 BC): called Ji (薊 Jì). Chinese Postal Map Romanization ( Traditional Chinese: 郵政式拼音 Simplified Chinese: 邮政式拼音 Pinyin: Yóuzhèngshì Pīnyīn refers to the Wade-Giles (ˌweɪdˈʤaɪlz) sometimes abbreviated Wade, is a Romanization system (phonetic notation and Transcription) for the Mandarin Pinyin, more formally Hanyu pinyin, is the most common Standard Mandarin Romanization system in use Yan ( was a state during the Western Zhou, Spring and Autumn and Warring States Periods in China. The Spring and Autumn Period ( was a period in Chinese history which roughly corresponds to the first half of the Eastern Zhou dynasty (from the second half of the 8th century BC

Liao Dynasty (907-1125), as a secondary capital: called Yanjing (燕京 Yānjīng "capital of Yan"). The Liao Dynasty ( 907 - 1125, also known as the Khitan Empire (契丹國 was an empire in northern China that ruled over the regions of Manchuria

Jin Dynasty (1115-1234) from Jin Shi Zong until 1220s (1217?): called Zhongdu (中都 Zhōngdū "central capital"). This is an article for the Jurchen Jin Dynasty (1115–1234 For other Chinese dynasties whose names are also rendered "Jin" in Pinyin, see Jin Dynasty

Yuan Dynasty (1271 to 1368): called Dàdū (大都 "great capital") in Chinese and Khanbaliq ("great residence of the Khan") in Mongolian. The Yuan Dynasty ( Pinyin: Yuáncháo Dai Ön Ulus (Дай Юан Улс was a ruling Dynasty founded by the Mongol leader Kublai Khanbaliq or Cambuluc / Cambaluc, also Kaan-baligh ("Great residence of the Khan " is the ancient Mongol name for the city The Mongolian language (mn [[ImageMonggol kelesvg 17px]] Mongɣol kele, Cyrillic: Монгол хэл Mongol khel) is the best-known member of This was reported as "Cambuluc" by Marco Polo. Marco Polo ( September 15 1254 – January 9 1324 at earliest but no later than June 1325 was a Venetian trader and explorer

Ming Dynasty since Yongle Emperor of China (1402/1424-1644): called Jīngshī (京師 "capital"). The Ming Dynasty ( or Empire of the Great Ming ( was the ruling dynasty of China from 1368 to 1644 following the collapse of the Mongol -led The Yongle Emperor ( Wade-Giles: Yung-lo May 2, 1360 &ndash August 12, 1424) born Zhu Di ( Chu Ti

Qing Dynasty since the fall of Ming in 1644 to the end of the Empire in 1912. Not to be confused with Qin Dynasty, the first dynasty of Imperial China

The Beiyang Government of the Republic of China. The Beiyang government ( or Warlord government collectively refers to a series of military regimes that ruled from Beijing from 1912 to 1928 at Zhongnanhai REPUBLIC OF CHINA ARTICLE GUIDELINES

The current capital of the People's Republic of China. Talk People's Republic of China) PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA ARTICLE GUIDELINES

• Chengdu (WG: Ch'eng-tu) was the capital of the Shu Kingdom during the period of the Three Kingdoms. ( located in southwest People's Republic of China, is the capital of Sichuan province and a Sub-provincial city. Shu Han ( Traditional Chinese: 蜀漢 Pinyin: Shǔ Hàn sometimes known as the Kingdom of Shu (蜀 shǔ was one of the Three Kingdoms competing The Three Kingdoms period ( is a period in the History of China, part of an era of disunity called the Six Dynasties following immediately the loss of It was briefly the seat of Chiang's ROC government during the Chinese civil war with the Communist Party of China. The Communist Party of China ( CPC) ( also known as the Chinese Communist Party ( CCP) is the founding and ruling political party of the

• Chongqing (CPMR: Chungking) was the provisional capital of the government of Chiang Kai-shek during World War II (Second Chinese-Japanese War), and was briefly the seat of Chiang's ROC government during the Chinese civil war with the Communist Party of China. Chongqing ( Postal map spelling: Chungking; Wade-Giles: Ch'ung-ch'ing) is the largest and most populous of the People's Republic of China Chiang Kai-shek ( POJ: Chiúⁿ Kài-se̍k Jyutping: zoeng2gaai3sek6 GCB ( October 31, 1887 &ndash World War II, or the Second World War, (often abbreviated WWII) was a global military conflict which involved a majority of the world's nations, including The Second Sino-Japanese War ( July 7, 1937 to September 9, 1945) was a major war fought between the Republic of China and the The Communist Party of China ( CPC) ( also known as the Chinese Communist Party ( CCP) is the founding and ruling political party of the

• Datong (WG: Ta-t'ong) was the capital during Northern Wei Dynasty before moving to Luoyang in 493. Datong ( is a city in the northern Shanxi Province in China, and is located a few hundred kilometres west by rail from Beijing with an elevation of The Northern Wei Dynasty (北魏 Pinyin: běi wèi 386 - 534) also known as the Tuoba Wei (拓拔魏 Later Wei (後魏 or Luoyang ( is a Prefecture-level city in western Henan province, People's Republic of China.

• Guangzhou (formerly Romanized Canton from CPMR)

Republic of China: it was seat of the National Government before the Northern Expedition, and was briefly the seat of Chiang's ROC government during the Chinese civil war with the Communist Party of China. Guangzhou ( Jyutping: Gwong²zau¹; Yale: Gwóngjàu) is the Capital and a Sub-provincial city The Northern Expedition ( was a military campaign led by the Kuomintang (KMT from 1926 to 1928. The Communist Party of China ( CPC) ( also known as the Chinese Communist Party ( CCP) is the founding and ruling political party of the

• Hangzhou (also Hangchou or Hangchow) was the capital of:

The Wuyue Kingdom (904-978), during the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period. ( Postal map spelling: Hangchow) is a Sub-provincial city located in the Yangtze River Delta in the People's Republic of China, Kingdom of Wuyue ( Traditional Chinese: 吳越國 Simplified Chinese: 吴越国 Pinyin Wúyuè Guó 907 - 978, was a small independent Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms ( 907-960 was an era of political upheaval in China, beginning in the Tang Dynasty and ending in the Song Dynasty.

China during the Southern Song Dynasty: called Lin'an (臨安 Lín'ān). The Song Dynasty ( Wade-Giles: Sung Ch'ao was a ruling dynasty in China between 960&ndash1279 CE it succeeded the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms

• Hao was the capital during Western Zhou Dynasty, located near present day Xi'an. The Zhou Dynasty ( POJ: Chiu Tiau 1122 BC to 256 BC was preceded by the Shang Dynasty and followed by the Qin Dynasty in China. UserEl_C --> Xi'an ( Postal map spelling: Sian is the Capital of the Shaanxi province in the

• Kaifeng was the capital of various Chinese governments including (sorted chronologically):

Later Liang Dynasty during the Period of Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms. Kaifeng ( formerly known as Bianliang ( Bianjing ( Daliang ( or simply Liang ( is a Prefecture-level city in eastern The Later Liang ( ( June 5, 907 - 923) was one of the Five Dynasties during the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms ( 907-960 was an era of political upheaval in China, beginning in the Tang Dynasty and ending in the Song Dynasty.

Later Jin Dynasty during the Period of Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms. Note that there are four periods of Chinese history using the name "Jin" (see clarification here. Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms ( 907-960 was an era of political upheaval in China, beginning in the Tang Dynasty and ending in the Song Dynasty.

Later Han Dynasty during the Period of Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms. Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms ( 907-960 was an era of political upheaval in China, beginning in the Tang Dynasty and ending in the Song Dynasty.

Later Zhou Dynasty during the Period of Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms. The Later Zhou Dynasty ( Simplified Chinese 后周 Traditional Chinese 後周 Pinyin Hòu Zhōu was the last a succession of five dynasties Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms ( 907-960 was an era of political upheaval in China, beginning in the Tang Dynasty and ending in the Song Dynasty.

Northern Song Dynasty: called Dongjing (東京 Dōngjīng). The Song Dynasty ( Wade-Giles: Sung Ch'ao was a ruling dynasty in China between 960&ndash1279 CE it succeeded the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms

• Luoyang was the capital of various Chinese governments including (sorted chronologically):

Eastern Zhou Dynasty

Eastern Han Dynasty from 25 to 220

Kingdom of Wei during the Three Kingdoms. Luoyang ( is a Prefecture-level city in western Henan province, People's Republic of China. The Zhou Dynasty ( POJ: Chiu Tiau 1122 BC to 256 BC was preceded by the Shang Dynasty and followed by the Qin Dynasty in China. The Han Dynasty ( 206 BC–220 AD followed the Qin Dynasty and preceded the Three Kingdoms in China. Cao Wei ( was one of the empires that competed for control of China during the Three Kingdoms period The Three Kingdoms period ( is a period in the History of China, part of an era of disunity called the Six Dynasties following immediately the loss of

Western Jin Dynasty

Northern Wei Dynasty since 493, moved its capital from Datong. The Jìn Dynasty ( 265 – 420) one of the Six Dynasties, followed the Three Kingdoms period and preceded the Southern and Northern Dynasties The Northern Wei Dynasty (北魏 Pinyin: běi wèi 386 - 534) also known as the Tuoba Wei (拓拔魏 Later Wei (後魏 or

Later Tang Dynasty during the Period of Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms. The Later Tang Dynasty was a short-lived dynasty that lasted from 923 to 936 one of the five dynasties during the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms ( 907-960 was an era of political upheaval in China, beginning in the Tang Dynasty and ending in the Song Dynasty.

• Nanjing (formerly Romanized Nanking (CPMR) or Nanching in WG) was the capital of various Chinese governments including (sorted chronologically):

all of the Six Dynasties: called Jianye (建業 Jiànyè) or Jiankang (建康 Jiànkāng). ( Chinese: 南京 Romanizations Nánjīng ( Pinyin) Nan-ching ( Wade-Giles Six Dynasties ( Chinese: 六朝 Pinyin: Liù Cháo is a collective noun for six Chinese dynasties during the periods of the Three Kingdoms ( Jiankang (建康城 in Pinyin: Jiànkāng chéng formerly known as Jianye (建業 Jiànyè until Eastern Jin Dynasty (317 – 420 was an ancient city in The Six Dynasties are:

Kingdom of Wu during the Three Kingdoms. Eastern Wu ( Chinese: 東吳 Pinyin: Dōng Wú also known as Sun Wu ( Traditional Chinese: 孫吳 pinyin Sūn Wú refers to a The Three Kingdoms period ( is a period in the History of China, part of an era of disunity called the Six Dynasties following immediately the loss of

Eastern Jin Dynasty

Liu Song Dynasty

Southern Qi Dynasty

Liang Dynasty

Chen Dynasty

Ming Dynasty before Yongle Emperor moved the capital to Beijing. The Jìn Dynasty ( 265 – 420) one of the Six Dynasties, followed the Three Kingdoms period and preceded the Southern and Northern Dynasties The Song Dynasty (宋朝 Pinyin: Sòng cháo Wade-Giles: Sung ( 420 – 479) was first of the four Southern Dynasties in China The Southern Qi Dynasty 齊朝 ( Pinyin: Qí cháo ( 479 - 502) was the second of the Southern dynasties in China, followed by the Liang Dynasty ( 梁[[wikt 朝|朝]] Pinyin: Liáng cháo (502-557 also known as Southern Liang Dynasty (南梁 was the third of Southern dynasties Chen Dynasty (陳朝 ( Pinyin: Chén cháo (557-589 was the fourth and the last of the Southern dynasties in China, eventually destroyed by the Sui The Ming Dynasty ( or Empire of the Great Ming ( was the ruling dynasty of China from 1368 to 1644 following the collapse of the Mongol -led The Yongle Emperor ( Wade-Giles: Yung-lo May 2, 1360 &ndash August 12, 1424) born Zhu Di ( Chu Ti

Taiping Tianguo (Heavenly Kingdom of Great Peace and Prosperity) during the Taiping Rebellion. The Taiping Rebellion or Rebellion of Great Peace was a large-scale Revolt against the authority and forces of the Qing Government in China Known as Tianjing (天京，literally 'Heavenly Capital') between 1853 and its fall in 1864.

Republic of China after the Northern Expedition until the Japanese invasion in 1937 of WWII, and after the war until Chiang Kai-Shek retreated to Taiwan in 1949. REPUBLIC OF CHINA ARTICLE GUIDELINES The Northern Expedition ( was a military campaign led by the Kuomintang (KMT from 1926 to 1928. The Second Sino-Japanese War ( July 7, 1937 to September 9, 1945) was a major war fought between the Republic of China and the World War II, or the Second World War, (often abbreviated WWII) was a global military conflict which involved a majority of the world's nations, including Chiang Kai-shek ( POJ: Chiúⁿ Kài-se̍k Jyutping: zoeng2gaai3sek6 GCB ( October 31, 1887 &ndash Taiwan ( Taiwanese: Tâi-oân/Tāi-oân (historically 大灣/台員/大員/台圓/大圓/台窩灣 is an Island in East Asia.

Wang Jingwei's pro-Japanese collaborationist government. Wang Jingwei ( Traditional Chinese: 汪精衛 Simplified Chinese: 汪精卫 Pinyin: Wāng Jīngwèi Wade-Giles: Wang Ching-wei ( Collaborationism, can describe the Treason of cooperating with enemy Forces occupying one's Country.

• Taipei has been the de-facto capital of the Republic of China (Taiwan) since 1949. Taipei ( Taiwanese Pe̍h-ōe-jī: Tâi-pak-chhī Jhuyin Fuhao: ㄊㄞˊ ㄅㄟˇ ㄕˋ Hakka: Thòi-pet-sṳ has been the capital of REPUBLIC OF CHINA ARTICLE GUIDELINES Taiwan ( Taiwanese: Tâi-oân/Tāi-oân (historically 大灣/台員/大員/台圓/大圓/台窩灣 is an Island in East Asia.

• Wuhan was the capital of a leftist Kuomintang government led by Wang Jingwei in opposition to Chiang Kaishek during the 1920s. ( is the capital of Hubei province and is the most populous city in central People's Republic of China. Wang Jingwei ( Traditional Chinese: 汪精衛 Simplified Chinese: 汪精卫 Pinyin: Wāng Jīngwèi Wade-Giles: Wang Ching-wei (

• Xanadu (Shangdu) (上都) was the summer capital of Kublai Khan's empire. Xanadu, also Zanadu, Shangdu, or Shang-tu ( was the Summer capital of Kublai Khan 's A summer capital is a city used as an administrative Capital during extended periods of particularly hot Summer weather Early years Kublai Khan studied Chinese culture and became enamoured of it

• Xi'an (WG: Hsi'an; called Chang'an in ancient times) was the capital of various Chinese governments including (sorted chronologically):

Western Zhou Dynasty, also see Hao. UserEl_C --> Xi'an ( Postal map spelling: Sian is the Capital of the Shaanxi province in the Chang'an ( is an ancient Capital of more than ten dynasties in Chinese history. The Zhou Dynasty ( POJ: Chiu Tiau 1122 BC to 256 BC was preceded by the Shang Dynasty and followed by the Qin Dynasty in China.

State of Qin in Spring and Autumn Period and Qin Dynasty 221 BC-207 BC: Xi'an is located near the Qin capital which is called Xianyang (咸陽 Xiányáng). Qín or Ch'in ( Wade-Giles) (秦 ( 778 BC - 207 BC) was a State during the Spring and Autumn and Warring States Periods The Spring and Autumn Period ( was a period in Chinese history which roughly corresponds to the first half of the Eastern Zhou dynasty (from the second half of the 8th century BC Not to be confused with the Qing Dynasty, the last dynasty of China This article is related to a city for the airport located in the city see Xi'an Xianyang International Airport Xianyang ( Sienyang Hsienyang

Western Han Dynasty from 206 BC to AD 9

Xin Dynasty from 8 to 23

Eastern Han Dynasty

Western Jin Dynasty

State of Former Zhao, a state in the Sixteen Kingdoms period during the Chinese Jin Dynasty (265-420). The Han Dynasty ( 206 BC–220 AD followed the Qin Dynasty and preceded the Three Kingdoms in China. The Xin Dynasty ( was a Chinese Dynasty (although strictly speaking it had only one Emperor) which lasted from 9 - 23 AD The Han Dynasty ( 206 BC–220 AD followed the Qin Dynasty and preceded the Three Kingdoms in China. The Jìn Dynasty ( 265 – 420) one of the Six Dynasties, followed the Three Kingdoms period and preceded the Southern and Northern Dynasties The Han Zhao ( 304 - 329) was a State of the Sixteen Kingdoms during the Chinese Jin Dynasty (265-420. The Sixteen Kingdoms ( or less commonly the Sixteen States, were a collection of numerous short-lived sovereign states in China proper and its neighboring areas The Jìn Dynasty ( 265 – 420) one of the Six Dynasties, followed the Three Kingdoms period and preceded the Southern and Northern Dynasties

State of Former Qin from 351 to 394, from the Sixteen Kingdoms period. The Former Qin ( 351 - 394) was a State of the Sixteen Kingdoms in China. The Sixteen Kingdoms ( or less commonly the Sixteen States, were a collection of numerous short-lived sovereign states in China proper and its neighboring areas

State of Later Qin from 384 to 417, from the Sixteen Kingdoms period. The Later Qin ( 384 - 417) was a State of Qiang ethnicity of the Sixteen Kingdoms during the Jin Dynasty (265-420 The Sixteen Kingdoms ( or less commonly the Sixteen States, were a collection of numerous short-lived sovereign states in China proper and its neighboring areas

Western Wei Dynasty

Northern Zhou Dynasty

Sui Dynasty from 581 to 618

Tang Dynasty from 618 to 907

• Ye was the capital of Eastern Wei Dynasty and Northern Qi Dynasty. The Western Wèi Dynasty (Chinese西魏 followed the disintegration of the Northern Wei, and ruled northern China from 535 to 556. The Northern Zhou Dynasty (Chinese北周 followed the Western Wei, and ruled northern China from 557 to 581. The Sui Dynasty ( 581 - 618 AD and in the undertaking of other construction projects including the reconstruction of the Great Wall. The Tang Dynasty ( Middle Chinese: dhɑng (June 18 618&ndashJune 4 907 was an imperial dynasty of China preceded by the Sui Dynasty and followed by Ye ( was an ancient Chinese city located in what is now Linzhang County Hebei and the neighbouring Anyang County Henan. The Eastern Wei Dynasty (Chinese 東魏 followed the disintegration of the Northern Wei, and ruled northern China from 534 to 550. The Northern Qi Dynasty (Chinese 北齊 Běiqí was one of the Northern dynasties of Chinese history and ruled northern China from 550 to 577.

Chronology

Controversy

Choosing the capital of China has always been a matter of politics over logistics. The Xia Dynasty ( of China is the first dynasty to be described in ancient historical records such as Records of the Grand Historian and Chen Sheng ( Traditional Chinese: 陳勝 (d 209 BC or 208 BC (around the new year known in some sources as Chen She (陳涉 was the leader of the first rebellion The Shang Dynasty ( Chinese: 商[[wiktionary 朝|朝]] or Yin Dynasty ( 殷[[wiktionary 代|代]] was according to traditional sources the Yinxu ( is the ruins of the last capital of China's Shang Dynasty ( 1766 BC - 1050 BC) The Zhou Dynasty ( POJ: Chiu Tiau 1122 BC to 256 BC was preceded by the Shang Dynasty and followed by the Qin Dynasty in China. UserEl_C --> Xi'an ( Postal map spelling: Sian is the Capital of the Shaanxi province in the The Zhou Dynasty ( POJ: Chiu Tiau 1122 BC to 256 BC was preceded by the Shang Dynasty and followed by the Qin Dynasty in China. Luoyang ( is a Prefecture-level city in western Henan province, People's Republic of China. Not to be confused with the Qing Dynasty, the last dynasty of China This article is related to a city for the airport located in the city see Xi'an Xianyang International Airport Xianyang ( Sienyang Hsienyang The Han Dynasty ( 206 BC–220 AD followed the Qin Dynasty and preceded the Three Kingdoms in China. Chang'an ( is an ancient Capital of more than ten dynasties in Chinese history. Luoyang ( is a Prefecture-level city in western Henan province, People's Republic of China. Liyang (溧阳 Pinyin: Lì Yáng is a County-level city of Jiangsu province in China. The Xin Dynasty ( was a Chinese Dynasty (although strictly speaking it had only one Emperor) which lasted from 9 - 23 AD Chang'an ( is an ancient Capital of more than ten dynasties in Chinese history. The Han Dynasty ( 206 BC–220 AD followed the Qin Dynasty and preceded the Three Kingdoms in China. Luoyang ( is a Prefecture-level city in western Henan province, People's Republic of China. Chang'an ( is an ancient Capital of more than ten dynasties in Chinese history. Xuchang ( is a Prefecture-level city in central Henan province, People's Republic of China. The Three Kingdoms period ( is a period in the History of China, part of an era of disunity called the Six Dynasties following immediately the loss of Luoyang ( is a Prefecture-level city in western Henan province, People's Republic of China. Cao Wei ( was one of the empires that competed for control of China during the Three Kingdoms period ( located in southwest People's Republic of China, is the capital of Sichuan province and a Sub-provincial city. Shu Han ( Traditional Chinese: 蜀漢 Pinyin: Shǔ Hàn sometimes known as the Kingdom of Shu (蜀 shǔ was one of the Three Kingdoms competing Eastern Wu ( Chinese: 東吳 Pinyin: Dōng Wú also known as Sun Wu ( Traditional Chinese: 孫吳 pinyin Sūn Wú refers to a The Jìn Dynasty ( 265 – 420) one of the Six Dynasties, followed the Three Kingdoms period and preceded the Southern and Northern Dynasties Luoyang ( is a Prefecture-level city in western Henan province, People's Republic of China. Chang'an ( is an ancient Capital of more than ten dynasties in Chinese history. The Jìn Dynasty ( 265 – 420) one of the Six Dynasties, followed the Three Kingdoms period and preceded the Southern and Northern Dynasties Jiankang (建康城 in Pinyin: Jiànkāng chéng formerly known as Jianye (建業 Jiànyè until Eastern Jin Dynasty (317 – 420 was an ancient city in The Northern Dynasties (北朝 běi cháo included Northern Wei Dynasty, Eastern Wei Dynasty, Western Wei Dynasty, Northern Qi Dynasty, Datong ( is a city in the northern Shanxi Province in China, and is located a few hundred kilometres west by rail from Beijing with an elevation of The Northern Wei Dynasty (北魏 Pinyin: běi wèi 386 - 534) also known as the Tuoba Wei (拓拔魏 Later Wei (後魏 or Luoyang ( is a Prefecture-level city in western Henan province, People's Republic of China. The Northern Wei Dynasty (北魏 Pinyin: běi wèi 386 - 534) also known as the Tuoba Wei (拓拔魏 Later Wei (後魏 or Ye ( was an ancient Chinese city located in what is now Linzhang County Hebei and the neighbouring Anyang County Henan. The Eastern Wei Dynasty (Chinese 東魏 followed the disintegration of the Northern Wei, and ruled northern China from 534 to 550. The Northern Qi Dynasty (Chinese 北齊 Běiqí was one of the Northern dynasties of Chinese history and ruled northern China from 550 to 577. Chang'an ( is an ancient Capital of more than ten dynasties in Chinese history. The Western Wèi Dynasty (Chinese西魏 followed the disintegration of the Northern Wei, and ruled northern China from 535 to 556. The Northern Zhou Dynasty (Chinese北周 followed the Western Wei, and ruled northern China from 557 to 581. The Southern dynasties 南朝 ( nanchao in Pinyin: nán cháo comprise the Liu Song, Southern Qi, Liang Dynasty and Chen Jiankang (建康城 in Pinyin: Jiànkāng chéng formerly known as Jianye (建業 Jiànyè until Eastern Jin Dynasty (317 – 420 was an ancient city in The Sui Dynasty ( 581 - 618 AD and in the undertaking of other construction projects including the reconstruction of the Great Wall. Daxing District ( Simplified Chinese: 大兴区 Traditional Chinese: 大興區 Hanyu Pinyin: Dàxīng Qū is situated at the Suburb of south The Tang Dynasty ( Middle Chinese: dhɑng (June 18 618&ndashJune 4 907 was an imperial dynasty of China preceded by the Sui Dynasty and followed by Chang'an ( is an ancient Capital of more than ten dynasties in Chinese history. Luoyang ( is a Prefecture-level city in western Henan province, People's Republic of China. Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms ( 907-960 was an era of political upheaval in China, beginning in the Tang Dynasty and ending in the Song Dynasty. Kaifeng ( formerly known as Bianliang ( Bianjing ( Daliang ( or simply Liang ( is a Prefecture-level city in eastern The Later Liang ( ( June 5, 907 - 923) was one of the Five Dynasties during the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period Luoyang ( is a Prefecture-level city in western Henan province, People's Republic of China. The Later Tang Dynasty was a short-lived dynasty that lasted from 923 to 936 one of the five dynasties during the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period Kaifeng ( formerly known as Bianliang ( Bianjing ( Daliang ( or simply Liang ( is a Prefecture-level city in eastern The Later Zhou Dynasty ( Simplified Chinese 后周 Traditional Chinese 後周 Pinyin Hòu Zhōu was the last a succession of five dynasties The Liao Dynasty ( 907 - 1125, also known as the Khitan Empire (契丹國 was an empire in northern China that ruled over the regions of Manchuria See also List of Provinces of Balhae Liao Dynasty Emperor Taizu of Liao This is an article for the Jurchen Jin Dynasty (1115–1234 For other Chinese dynasties whose names are also rendered "Jin" in Pinyin, see Jin Dynasty Huining Fu ( was a prefecture in the Shangjing region of Manchuria. Kaifeng ( formerly known as Bianliang ( Bianjing ( Daliang ( or simply Liang ( is a Prefecture-level city in eastern Xi Xia redirects here For a Chinese general whose name may be transliterated as Xi Xia see Xi Qia The Western Xia Dynasty ( or Yinchuan ( is the Capital of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region People's Republic of China, and former capital of the Western Xia Empire of the The Song Dynasty ( Wade-Giles: Sung Ch'ao was a ruling dynasty in China between 960&ndash1279 CE it succeeded the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Kaifeng ( formerly known as Bianliang ( Bianjing ( Daliang ( or simply Liang ( is a Prefecture-level city in eastern The Song Dynasty ( Wade-Giles: Sung Ch'ao was a ruling dynasty in China between 960&ndash1279 CE it succeeded the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms The Yuan Dynasty ( Pinyin: Yuáncháo Dai Ön Ulus (Дай Юан Улс was a ruling Dynasty founded by the Mongol leader Kublai Karakorum (Khalkha Mongolian Khara-khorin, Classical Mongolian Qara Qorum) was the capital of the Mongol Empire in the 13th century The Yuan Dynasty ( Pinyin: Yuáncháo Dai Ön Ulus (Дай Юан Улс was a ruling Dynasty founded by the Mongol leader Kublai Khanbaliq or Cambuluc / Cambaluc, also Kaan-baligh ("Great residence of the Khan " is the ancient Mongol name for the city The Ming Dynasty ( or Empire of the Great Ming ( was the ruling dynasty of China from 1368 to 1644 following the collapse of the Mongol -led ( Chinese: 南京 Romanizations Nánjīng ( Pinyin) Nan-ching ( Wade-Giles Not to be confused with Qin Dynasty, the first dynasty of Imperial China REPUBLIC OF CHINA ARTICLE GUIDELINES ( is the capital of Hubei province and is the most populous city in central People's Republic of China. ( Chinese: 南京 Romanizations Nánjīng ( Pinyin) Nan-ching ( Wade-Giles The Nanjing decade (also Nanking decade, 南京十年 was the Decade from 1927 (or 1928 to 1937 in the History of the Republic of China. ( is the capital of Hubei province and is the most populous city in central People's Republic of China. Chongqing ( Postal map spelling: Chungking; Wade-Giles: Ch'ung-ch'ing) is the largest and most populous of the People's Republic of China ( Chinese: 南京 Romanizations Nánjīng ( Pinyin) Nan-ching ( Wade-Giles Guangzhou ( Jyutping: Gwong²zau¹; Yale: Gwóngjàu) is the Capital and a Sub-provincial city Chongqing ( Postal map spelling: Chungking; Wade-Giles: Ch'ung-ch'ing) is the largest and most populous of the People's Republic of China Talk People's Republic of China) PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA ARTICLE GUIDELINES REPUBLIC OF CHINA ARTICLE GUIDELINES Taiwan ( Taiwanese: Tâi-oân/Tāi-oân (historically 大灣/台員/大員/台圓/大圓/台窩灣 is an Island in East Asia. Taipei ( Taiwanese Pe̍h-ōe-jī: Tâi-pak-chhī Jhuyin Fuhao: ㄊㄞˊ ㄅㄟˇ ㄕˋ Hakka: Thòi-pet-sṳ has been the capital of Historians have questioned why Beijing should have ever been chosen as a capital at all, even in the present day. Throughout most of China's history, the geography of the far northeastern corner of the country, with its long, harsh winters with limited agricultural possibilities, has posed serious water and food supply problems. Even with the water supply now coming from the Yangtze River--an accomplishment that has required major construction due to the river's great distance from the area--these problems remain unresolved. ^[3] Furthermore, Beijing's location near China's northern frontier has also posed historical tactical disadvantages. Had the capital of the Ming Dynasty not been located there in the 17th century, the Manchu could not have attacked it so easily, taking over and establishing the last Chinese dynasty. The Ming Dynasty ( or Empire of the Great Ming ( was the ruling dynasty of China from 1368 to 1644 following the collapse of the Mongol -led The Manchu people ( Manchu: Manju;, Mongolian: Манж Russian: Маньчжуры are a Tungusic people who originated in Not to be confused with Qin Dynasty, the first dynasty of Imperial China ^[3] China's main food source has always been in the southern region of the country. Alternative meaning In Geology, North China (continent and South China (continent were two ancient landmasses that correspond to modern northern Therefore, due to its smaller distance from the main food source, the preferred capital has always been Nanjing. ^[3]

The climate of northern China has cooled and dried dramatically in recent times. Before such climatic changes, northern China had always sustained sufficient water and food supplies.

References

See also

List of current and former capitals of subnational entities of China