China's ten great ancient capitals

Each capital offers a unique chapter in China's story. They are living history, with stones, walls, and artifacts whispering stories of emperors, poets, and everyday life. Our journey begins with Xi'an, the eternal capital that witnessed the dawn of China's golden ages.

A street with an ancient flavor in Xi'an, Shaanxi province, in November. [Photo provided to China Daily]

Xi'an: The Eternal Capital - Where Empires Rose and Trade Routes Converged

Xi'an, historically known as Chang'an, stands as a monumental pillar of Chinese civilization. It served as the capital for thirteen dynasties, including the pivotal Qin (221-206 BC), Western Han (206 BC-AD 24), and Tang (618-907), solidifying its place as one of the longest-serving capitals in Chinese history. As the eastern terminus of the legendary  Silk Road , Xi'an blossomed into one of the world's first truly metropolitan cities. During the Tang Dynasty, it was a dazzling, international hub where cultures, religions, and exotic goods converged from across the known world. The city safeguards the world-renowned  Terracotta Army , the silent legion of  Emperor Qin Shi Huang , a testament to imperial ambition and artistic mastery. Its remarkably well-preserved  Ming Dynasty  (1368-1644) city wall, the majestic Big Wild Goose Pagoda (Dayan Pagoda), and the palpable historical atmosphere that permeates its streets rightfully earn Xi'an the title of a "Living History Museum."

Yingtianmen, or Yingtian Gate, an ancient structure in Luoyang, Henan province, is a must-visit for tourists.  [Photo/China Daily]

Luoyang: The Sacred Center - Cradle of Civilization and Buddhist Enlightenment

Luoyang, sharing the honor of hosting thirteen dynasties, is revered as the sacred center and spiritual heartland of Chinese civilization. It flourished as the capital during the Eastern  Han Dynasty  (206 BC-AD 24), the Northern Wei Dynasty (386-534), and notably under Empress Wu Zetian, China's only female emperor. Its profound spiritual significance is carved into the stones of the  Longmen Grottoes , a UNESCO World Heritage site and a masterpiece of Buddhist art. The White Horse Temple (Baima Temple), traditionally recognized as China's first Buddhist temple, marks the arrival and assimilation of Buddhism into Chinese culture. Situated in the heart of the "Central Plains," Luoyang was long considered the geographical and cosmological center of "All Under Heaven" (Tianxia), shaping the philosophical and political bedrock of early China.

A full moon adds to the breathtaking view of the Yuejiang Tower in Nanjing, East China's Jiangsu province on Oct 6, 2025. [Photo by Su Yang/For chinadaily.com.cn]

Nanjing: The Southern Capital of Resilience - A City Forged in Fire and Rebirth

Nanjing, meaning "Southern Capital," has long been the political cornerstone of southern China, serving as the seat of power for ten dynasties and regimes, including the early Ming and the Republic of China. Its strategic location, poetically described as "a tiger crouching, a  dragon  coiling," made it a recurring choice for establishing regional dominance. The city's history is a poignant narrative of glory, destruction, and rebirth, embodying the cyclical patterns of Chinese history. Landmarks like the grand Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, the colossal Ming Dynasty city wall (one of the longest surviving city walls in the world), and the solemn memorials to its tragic past collectively narrate the story of this resilient "City of Memories."

Beijing: The Imperial Capital - A City of Mandate of Heaven and Modern Ambition

Beijing, the capital of the Yuan (1271-1368), Ming, and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties, has served as China's political heart for over 850 years, a role it continues to fulfill today. It is the definitive imperial city, home to the world's largest and best-preserved palace complex, the  Forbidden City , a breathtaking symbol of supreme power and imperial grandeur. The majestic layouts of  the Temple of Heaven  and the ethereal beauty of  the Summer Palace , alongside the imposing  Great Wall  nearby, reflect the enduring "Mandate of Heaven" philosophy that underpinned imperial rule. Evolving from a northern frontier town into a sprawling metropolis, Beijing seamlessly blends ancient imperial grandeur with vibrant modernity, showcasing the enduring spirit and cultural confidence of the Chinese nation.

The  Millennium City Park  in Kaifeng, Henan province, is a re-creation of the ancient scroll Along the River During the  Qingming Festival . [Photo provided to China Daily]

Kaifeng: The City of the Northern Song Zenith - A Lost Metropolis of Innovation and Prosperity

Kaifeng, the dazzling capital of the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127) known as Bianliang, was once the world's most prosperous and technologically advanced metropolis. Its splendor is immortalized in the renowned scroll " Riverside Scene at Qingming Festival ," a vibrant depiction of city life at its peak. Its unique historical legacy is the "city stacked upon city" phenomenon, where successive layers of civilization, buried by the Yellow River's silt, create a vertical timeline beneath the modern city. Though its Song-era grandeur is largely lost to time, landmarks like the millennia-old Iron Pagoda and the meticulously reconstructed  Qingming Riverside Landscape Garden  (Qingming Shanghe Garden) vividly evoke the atmosphere of a bustling, innovative commercial and cultural center at its zenith.

West Lake  in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province. [Photo by Chi Shiyong/Liu Jianhua/For China Daily]

Hangzhou: The Heavenly Capital on the Lake - A Paradise of Silk, Tea, and Artistic Inspiration

Hangzhou, serving as the capital of the Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279) known as Lin'an, represents the pinnacle of classical Chinese elegance and refined culture. After the retreat south, it became the de facto national capital, fostering an unparalleled era of artistic, economic, and intellectual flourishing. The city is inextricably linked to  West Lake , a UNESCO World Heritage site and a poetic masterpiece of landscape design that embodies the perfect harmony between humanity and nature, inspiring the timeless proverb: "Above there is heaven, below are Suzhou and Hangzhou." It remains a vibrant center of silk production, tea culture, and the graceful Jiangnan lifestyle, attracting visitors with its timeless beauty and cultural richness.

The inscribed oracle bones on display at the  Yinxu Museum  in Anyang, Henan province.  [Photo/China Daily]

Anyang: The Cradle of Chinese Script - Where History Was First Written

Anyang, the site of the Yin Ruins, holds paramount archaeological importance as the last capital of the Shang Dynasty (c.16th century-11th century BC). It is the birthplace of Chinese written history, where the earliest mature Chinese writing system— Oracle Bone Script  (Jiaguwen)—was discovered inscribed on bones and shells. The excavation of royal tombs, palaces, and magnificent bronze vessels like the Houxmuwu Ding provides irrefutable evidence of a highly developed Bronze Age civilization. Anyang is not simply an ancient capital; it is the verifiable genesis of China's recorded dynastic history, a place where the voices of the past speak directly to us through the ancient script.

An aerial view of part of the well-preserved city walls at the heart of Zhengzhou, Henan province.  [Photo/China Daily]

Zhengzhou: The Heart of Early Chinese Civilization - Echoes of a Mythological Past

As a more recent addition to the list, Zhengzhou's significance lies in the Early Shang Dynasty capital ruins dating back over 3,600 years. The discovery of massive rammed-earth city wall foundations, bronze foundries, and palace complexes confirms its status as a major political and military center during the dawn of Chinese civilization. Located in the central plains, it is also deeply connected to the legendary  Yellow Emperor , tying it to the mythological origins of Chinese culture. Today, as a major national transportation and economic hub, Zhengzhou symbolizes the vibrant convergence of ancient heritage and modern ambition.

Tourists visit the Huayan Temple in Datong, Shanxi province, on May 12. Huayan is currently one of China's largest Buddhist temples built during the Liao (916-1125) and Jin (1115-1234) dynasties. [Photo by Zhu Xingxin/China Daily]

Datong: The Buddhist Grotto Capital - Where Faith Carved its Mark on Stone and Silk

Datong, known as Pingcheng when it served as the capital of the Northern Wei Dynasty, is a striking testament to ethnic integration and religious art in northern China. Its crown jewel is the  Yungang Grottoes , a UNESCO World Heritage site featuring breathtaking Buddhist statues that masterfully blend Indian, Central Asian, and Chinese artistic influences. Beyond the grottoes, architectural wonders like the daring Hanging Temple cling precariously to a cliffside, and the historical city walls reflect its past as a vital strategic stronghold and cultural bridge between the northern steppes and the central plains.

Tourists take cruises to enjoy landmarks on both sides of the Jinjiang River in Chengdu, Sichuan province, on Aug 20, 2025. [Chen Han/For China Daily]

Chengdu: The Unchanging Capital of the Land of Abundance - A Legacy of Innovation and Leisure

Chengdu's uniqueness lies in its remarkable stability and continuity; it has thrived in the same location for over 2,000 years, serving as the political and economic hub of southwestern China for kingdoms like Shu Han. Its enduring prosperity is largely thanks to the  Dujiangyan Irrigation System , a UNESCO-listed ancient engineering marvel that tamed the rivers and created the fertile "Land of Abundance." From the mysterious bronze masks of the  Sanxingdui culture  to the relaxed teahouse culture and the globally adored giant pandas, Chengdu masterfully blends profound historical depth with a famously laid-back and prosperous lifestyle, creating an atmosphere that is both captivating and uniquely its own.