History of Xi’an

1Origin of the City’s Name

As far back as 1,046 B.C, the first nationwide political authority in China was founded by Zhou Wenwang and Zhou Wuwang of Western Zhou dynasty, setting up the capital in Fenghao(today’s Xi’an). During the early period of Western Han dynasty in 206 B.C, Liu Bang set up capital in Chang’an( today’s Xi’an), carrying the meaning of eternal peace. The name of capital Chang’an lasted 1,100 years until 907 A.D in late Tang dynasty. After the doom of Tang dynasty, Xi’an was renamed Jingzhao Fu( in Later Tang dynasty), Shaanxi Luin Song dynasty,  Anxi lu and Fengyuan Lu( in Yuan dynasty) and had played the role of a political, economic and cultural center in the northwest region of China. In the spring of 1369, the year after Ming dynasty was established, Xuda conquered Fengyuan Lu and changed the city’s name into Xi’an, carrying the meaning of stability in the northwest region. The name lasted up till today.

2Contemporary History

May 20, 1949 celebrated the liberation of the Xi’an city. Upon the founding of the People’s Republic of China,Xi’an was chosen as the headquarter for the Northwest Bureau of the Central Committee of the CPC and the Northwest Administrative Committee respectively and a city directly under the jurisdiction of the Central Government. In 1954, it turned to be the capital city of Shaanx iProvince and was listed under separate state planning in 1984. In 1992, it was approved as an opening city of inland China. In 1994,Xi’an was authorized to be the national comprehensive supporting reform pilot city and a sub-provincial city. Having undergone over more than 60 years of development, a complete industrial system and urban service system have taken shape.Xi’an has become the key scientific research, higher education, national defense and hi-tech industrial base in China. It also plays the role of a hub of finance, science and technology, education, tourism, and trade in the mid-western region ofNorthern China.

3Capital City of 13 Dynasties

Historically, 13 dynasties had established their capitals in Xi’an, including West Zhou Dynasty, Qin Dynasty, West Han Dynasty, Xin Dynasty, East Han Dynasty (Emperor Xian), West Jin Dynasty (Emperor Min), Former Zhao, Former Qin, Later Qin Dynasty, West Wei Dynasty, North Zhou Dynasty, Sui Dynasty and Tang Dynasty.

The time span ofXi’anserving as Chinese ancient capital adds up to 1,129 years.


Dynasty

Name of Capital

Location

Year of Starting and Ending

Tenure (yesrs)

West Zhou

Fenghao

Chang’an District

The 49th year of Emperor Wu(1046B.C.)

The 1st year of  Emperor You(770B.C.)

276

Qin

Yueyang

Yianliang District

The 12th year of Emperor Xiangong(383B.C.)

The 12th year of Emperor Xiaogong(350B.C.)

178

Xianyang

Weiyang District

The 12th year of Emperor Xiaogong

The 1st year of Emperor Xiaogong((206 B.C.)

West Han

Chang’an

Weiyang

District

The 1st year of Emperor Gaozu(206B.C.)

The 1st year of Emperor Ruzi(8A.D.)

214

Xin

Chang’an

Weiyang District

The 1st year of Emperor Wangmang(9A.D.)

The 4st year of Emperor Dihuang(23A.D.)

15

East Han Dynasty (Emperor Xian)

Chang’an

Weiyang District

The 1st year of Emperor Chuping(190A.D.)

The 5st year of Emperor Xingping(195A.D.)

6

West Jin Dynasty (Emperor Min)

Chang’an

Weiyang District

The 1st year(313A.D.) to the 4th year of Emperor Jianxing(316A.D.)

4

Former Zhao

Chang’an

Weiyang District

The 2st year(319A.D.) to the 12th year of Emperor Guangchu(329A.D.)

11

Former Qin

Chang’an

Weiyang District

The 1st year of Emperor Shihuang(351A.D.)

The 1st year of Emperor Taian(385A.D.)

35

Later Qin

Chang’an

Weiyang District

The 1st year of Emperor Jianchu(386A.D.)

The 2nd year of Emperor Yonghe(417A.D.)

 

32

West Wei

Chang’an

Weiyang District

The 3nd year of Emperor Datong(535A.D.)

The 4th year of Emperor Gong(557A.D.)

 

23

North Zhou

Chang’an

Weiyang

District

The 1st year of Emperor Xiaomin(557A.D.)

The 1st year of Emperor Dading(581A.D.)

25

Sui

Daxing

Xi’an city

The 1st year of Emperor Kaihuang(581A.D.)

The 14th year of Emperor Daye(618A.D.)

38

Tang

Chang’an

Xi’an city

The 1st year of Emperor Wude(618A.D.)

The 1st year of Emperor Tianshou(690A.D.)

 

272

Chang’an

Xi’an city

The 1st year of Emperor Shenlong(705A.D.)

The 4th year of Emperor Tianyou(904A.D.)

Total

 

 

 

1129