View source for Historical capitals of China

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{{Incomplete list|date=April 2020}}
{{multiple image
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 | image1 = Tang Paradise (54102766938).jpg
 | caption1 = [[Tang Paradise]], a complex in Xi'an to show the restoration of its past. Xi'an used to be the capital of 13 dynasties, among whom were [[Western Zhou|Zhou]], [[Qin dynasty|Qin]], [[Western Han|Han]], [[Sui dynasty|Sui]], and [[Tang dynasty|Tang]].,<ref name="encarta" /> which are regarded as the most important [[dynasties in Chinese history]]<ref name="encarta">{{Cite encyclopedia |title=Xi'an |encyclopedia=Encarta |url=http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761572407/Xi%E2%80%99an.html |access-date=February 6, 2016 |date=September 3, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080228105855/http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761572407/Xi%E2%80%99an.html |archive-date=February 28, 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
 | image2 = Tours de la ville Tang de Changan.jpg
 | caption2 = 8th century murals in Prince Yide's tomb illustrating the architectures in [[Chang'an]]
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This is a list of '''historical capitals of China'''.

==Four Great Ancient Capitals==
{{infobox Chinese
|t={{linktext|中國|四|大|古都}}
|s=中国四大古都
|p=Zhōngguó sì dà gǔdū
|w=Chung-kuo ssu ta ku-tu
}}[[Image:Historicalcapitalsofchina ancient.png|thumb|Plot of major historical capitals of China prior to the 20th century]]
There are traditionally four major historical capitals of China referred to as the "'''Four Great Ancient Capitals of China'''". The four are [[Xi'an]] (capital of the [[Western Zhou dynasty|Western Zhou]] as [[Fenghao]], of the [[Western Han dynasty|Western Han]] as [[Chang'an]], of the [[Sui dynasty|Sui]] as [[Daxing (Sui)|Daxing]], and of the [[Tang dynasty|Tang]] as [[Chang'an]]); [[Luoyang]] (capital of the [[Eastern Zhou dynasty|Eastern Zhou]] and [[Eastern Han dynasty|Han]]); [[Nanjing]] (capital of the [[Eastern Jin dynasty|Eastern Jin]] & the [[Southern Dynasties]] as [[Jiankang]] and of the early [[Ming dynasty|Ming]] as [[Yingtian (Ming)|Yingtian]]); and [[Beijing]] (capital of the late [[Ming dynasty|Ming]] & [[Qing dynasty|Qing]]).<ref>{{Cite web |title=中国四大古都的前世之谜-深度阅读 - |url=http://www.silkroads.org.cn/portal.php?mod=view&aid=7031 |access-date=2024-02-17 |website=www.silkroads.org.cn}}</ref>

==List of historical capitals of China==
:''Sorted in alphabetical order''
* '''[[Acheng District]]''' of the city of [[Harbin]] was the capital of the [[Jin dynasty (1115-1234)|Jin dynasty]] from 1115 to 1153. It was called '''Shangjing''' ({{lang-zh|c=上京|p=Shàngjīng|l=Upper Capital|labels=no}}) or '''[[Huining Prefecture]]''' at the time. It was destroyed in 1157 and reestablished as a secondary capital in 1173.
* '''[[Anyang]]''' was the capital of the [[Shang dynasty]] (1600 BC – 1046 BC) at its peak. It was called '''[[Yin (city)|Yin]]''' ({{lang-zh|c=殷|p=Yīn|labels=no}}) by the Zhou.
* '''[[Balasagun]]''' in modern [[Kyrgyzstan]] was the capital of the [[Qara Khitai|Western Liao dynasty]] from 1134 to 1218.
* '''[[Beijing]]''' (also romanized '''Peking'''), literally meaning "Northern Capital", previously also known as '''Beiping''', was the capital of various dynasties and regional regimes, including:
::* The state of [[Yan (state)|Yan]] (11th century BC – 222 BC) in the [[Zhou dynasty]], when it was called '''Ji''' ({{lang-zh|t=薊|s=蓟|p=Jì|labels=no}}).
::* The short-lived regional kingdom of [[Yan (Five Dynasties period)|Yan]] (911&ndash;914) established by [[Liu Shouguang]] during [[Five Dynasties]] period.
::* The [[Liao dynasty]] (907–1125), when it was a secondary capital called '''Yanjing''' ({{lang-zh|c=燕京|p=Yānjīng|l=Capital of [[Yan (state)|Yan]]|labels=no}}). (Liao Lang is used as another name for Dadu during Yuan dynasty.  The city is called Nanjing (南京, not to be confused with city in Jiangsu) in Liao dynasty due to the southerly location.)
::* The [[Jurchen people|Jurchen]]-led [[Jin dynasty (1115–1234)|Jin dynasty]], from the 1160s to 1215, when it was called '''[[Zhongdu]]''' ({{lang-zh|c=中都|p=Zhōngdū|l=Central Capital|labels=no}}).
::* The [[Yuan dynasty]] (1271–1368), when it was called '''Dadu''' ({{lang-zh|c=大都|p=Dàdū|l=Great Capital|labels=no}}) in Chinese,<ref>Denis Twitchett, Herbert Franke, John K. Fairbank, in ''The Cambridge History of China: Volume 6, Alien Regimes and Border States'' (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1994), p 454.</ref> '''Daidu''' (direct translation from Chinese) in [[Mongolian language|Mongolian]], and '''[[Khanbaliq]]''' ("city of the [[Khan (title)|Khan]]") in Mongolian and [[Turkic languages]]. [[Marco Polo]] called it '''Cambuluc'''.
::* The [[Ming dynasty]], from 1403 to 1644, when it was called '''Shuntian Prefecture''' ({{lang-zh|t=順天府|s=顺天府|p=Shùntiān Fǔ|labels=no}}) and then later simply as '''Jingshi''' ({{lang-zh|t=京師|s=京师|p=Jīngshī|l=Capital|labels=no}}).
::* The [[Qing dynasty]], from 1644 to 1912.
::* The [[Beiyang government]] of the [[Republic of China (1912–49)|Republic of China]], from 1912 to 1927.
::* The [[People's Republic of China]] since 1949.
* '''[[Changchun]]''' was the capital of Japanese puppet state [[Manchukuo]] during the Japanese occupation in WWII, then named [[Changchun|Xinjing]] ({{lang|zh-hant|新京}}; Japanese: ''Shinkyō'', Mandarin: ''Xīnjīng'', literally "New Capital").
* '''[[Chengde]]''' was the summer residence and capital of the [[Qing dynasty]] from 1703 to 1820.<ref>Millward, J. A. (2013). New Qing imperial history the making of inner Asian empire at Qing Chengde. Taylor and Francis. http://suss.eblib.com/patron/FullRecord.aspx?p=200446</ref>
* '''[[Chengdu]]''' was the capital city of various regional kingdoms in ancient China:
::*[[Shu (state)|State of Shu]] in [[Warring States period]]
::* [[Shu Han]] (AD 221–263) during the [[Three Kingdoms period]]
::*[[Cheng Han|Kingdom of Cheng-Han]] during [[Eastern Jin]] period
::*[[Qiao Zong|Qiao Shu]], a short-lived kingdom during [[Eastern Jin]] period
::*The kingdom of Li Shu, a short-lived regime established by Wang Xiaobo and Li Shun during [[Song dynasty]]
::*[[Former Shu]], one of [[Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms|Ten Kingdoms]] between [[Tang dynasty|Tang]] and [[Song dynasty|Song]] dynasties
::*[[Later Shu]], one of [[Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms|Ten Kingdoms]] between [[Tang dynasty|Tang]] and [[Song dynasty|Song]] dynasties
::*[[Da Xi]] established by [[Zhang Xianzhong]] during the transition between [[Ming dynasty|Ming]] and [[Qing dynasty|Qing]] dynasties
::*It was also briefly the seat of the [[Nationalist government]] of the [[Republic of China (1912–49)|Republic of China]] in late 1949 towards the end of the [[Chinese Civil War]].
* '''[[Chongqing]]''' was the capital city of [[Ba (state)|Ba State]] during [[Warring States period]]. [[Ming Yuzhen]], the rebellion leader during the transition time between [[Yuan dynasty|Yuan]] and [[Ming dynasty|Ming]] dynasties, established the Xia kingdom and set the capital city in Chongqing. Chongqing was also the provisional capital of the Nationalist government of the Republic of China during the [[Second Sino-Japanese War]] (1937–1945), and briefly the seat of the Nationalist government in late 1949 towards the end of the Chinese Civil War.
* '''[[Datong]]''' was the capital of the [[Northern Wei|Northern Wei dynasty]] from 398 to 493.
* '''[[Emin County|Emin]]''' was briefly the capital of the [[Qara Khitai|Western Liao dynasty]] from 1132 to 1134.
* '''[[Fenghao]]''', located near present-day [[Xi'an]], was the capital of the [[Zhou dynasty|Western Zhou dynasty]] from 1046 BC to 771 BC.
* '''[[Fuzhou]]''' was briefly the capital of the [[Southern Ming|Southern Ming dynasty]] from 1645 to 1646.
* '''[[Guangzhou]]''' (also romanized '''Canton''') was the capital of:
::*[[Nanyue|Nanyue Kingdom]] (204–111 BC). 
::*[[Southern Ming|Southern Ming dynasty]] from 1646 to 1647.
::*[[Nationalist government]] of the [[Republic of China (1912–49)|Republic of China]], before 1928 and in 1949 towards the end of the [[Chinese Civil War]].
* '''[[Hangzhou]]''' was the capital of:
::*[[Wuyue|Wuyue Kingdom]] (907–978) during the [[Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period]].
::*[[Song dynasty|Southern Song dynasty]], from 1127<ref name=":Ma&Kang">{{Cite book |last=Ma |first=Xinru |title=Beyond Power Transitions: The Lessons of East Asian History and the Future of U.S.-China Relations |last2=Kang |first2=David C. |date=2024 |publisher=[[Columbia University Press]] |isbn=978-0-231-55597-5 |series=Columbia Studies in International Order and Politics |location=New York}}</ref>{{Rp|page=67}} to 1276, when it was called '''Lin'an''' ({{lang-zh|t=臨安|s=临安|p=Lín'ān|labels=no}}).
* [[Haojing]] was capital of [[Western Zhou]].
* '''[[Kaifeng]]''' was the capital of various dynasties, including:
::* The state of [[Wei (state)|Wei]] (443 BC – 225 BC) in the [[Zhou dynasty]], when it was called '''Daliang'''.
::*[[Later Liang (Five Dynasties)|Later Liang dynasty]] during the [[Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period]], from AD 913 to 923.
::*[[Later Jin (Five Dynasties)|Later Jin dynasty]] during the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period, in AD 937.
::*[[Later Han (Five Dynasties)|Later Han dynasty]] (AD 947–951) during the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period.
::*[[Later Zhou|Later Zhou dynasty]] (AD 951–960) during the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period.
::*[[Song dynasty|Northern Song dynasty]] (960–1127), when it was called '''Bianjing''' ({{lang-zh|c=汴京|p=Biànjīng|labels=no}}).
* '''[[Karakorum]]''' in modern [[Mongolia]] was the capital of the [[Northern Yuan dynasty]] from 1371 to 1388.
* '''[[Luoyang]]''' was the capital of various dynasties, including:
::* The [[Zhou dynasty|Eastern Zhou dynasty]], from 510 BC to 314 BC.
::* The [[Han dynasty|Eastern Han dynasty]] from AD 25 to 190 and then briefly in AD 196.
::* The [[Cao Wei]] (AD 220–265) during the [[Three Kingdoms]] period.
::* The [[Jin dynasty (266-420)|Western Jin dynasty]], from AD 265 to 311.
::* The [[Northern Wei|Northern Wei dynasty]] from AD 493 to 534.
::* The [[Zhou dynasty (690–705)|Wu Zhou]] from AD 690 to 705.
::* The [[Later Tang|Later Tang dynasty]] during the [[Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period]], from AD 923 to 936.
::* The [[Later Liang (Five Dynasties)|Later Liang dynasty]] during the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period, from AD 907 to 913.
* '''[[Nanjing]]''' (also romanized '''Nanking'''), literally meaning "Southern Capital", was the capital of various dynasties and governments, including:
::* All the [[Six Dynasties]] from AD 220 to 589, when Nanjing was called '''Jianye''' ({{lang-zh|t=建業|s=|p=Jiànyè|labels=no}}) or '''[[Jiankang]]''' ({{lang-zh|c=建康|p=Jiànkāng|labels=no}}). The Six Dynasties were:
:::* [[Eastern Wu]] during the [[Three Kingdoms]] period, from AD 229 to 265, and then from AD 266 to 280.
:::* [[Jin dynasty (265–420)|Eastern Jin dynasty]], from AD 317 to 420.
:::* [[Liu Song dynasty]] (AD 420–479)
:::* [[Southern Qi|Southern Qi dynasty]] (AD 479–502)
:::* [[Liang dynasty]], from AD 502 to 552, and then from AD 555 to 557.
:::* [[Chen dynasty]] (AD 557–589)
::* The [[Southern Tang|Southern Tang dynasty]] (AD 937–976) during the [[Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period]], when it was called '''Jiangning Prefecture''' ({{lang-zh|s=江宁府|t=江寧府|p=Jiāngníng Fǔ|labels=no}})
::* The [[Ming dynasty]], from 1368 to 1644, when it was also called '''Yingtian Prefecture''' ({{lang-zh|t=應天府|s=应天府|p=Yìngtiān Fǔ|labels=no}})
::* The [[Southern Ming|Southern Ming dynasty]] from 1644 to 1645.
::* The [[Taiping Heavenly Kingdom]] (1851–1864) during the [[Taiping Rebellion]] in the [[Qing dynasty]], when it was called '''Tianjing''' ({{lang-zh|c=天京|p=Tiānjīng|l=Heavenly Capital|labels=no}}).
::* The [[Nationalist government]] of the [[Republic of China (1912–49)|Republic of China]] from 1928 to 1949.
::* The [[Reorganized National Government of the Republic of China]] (1940–1945), a pro-Japanese collaborationist government headed by [[Wang Jingwei]] during the [[Second Sino-Japanese War]].
* '''[[Ruijin]]''' in Jiangxi was the capital of the self-declared [[Chinese Soviet Republic]] from 1931 to 1934, the start of the [[Long March]].
* '''[[Shaoguan]]''', then known in English as Kukong, was the temporary capital of Nationalist controlled areas of Guangdong (then known as Kwangtung) during the [[Second Sino-Japanese War|Sino-Japanese war]], after the fall of Guangzhou (Canton).
* '''[[Shenyang]]''' in the northern state of [[Liaoning]] briefly served as the capital of [[Later Jin (1616–1636)|Later Jin]], the predecessor of the Qing dynasty (who referred to it as Mukden) from 1625 until [[Ming Great Wall#The Wall and the fall of the Ming|Qing takeover of Beijing]] in 1644.<ref>{{cite book  | title = The Cambridge Illustrated History of China  | first = Patricia | last = Ebrey  | publisher = Cambridge University Press | year = 2010  | isbn = 978-0-521-12433-1|pages=220–224}}</ref> It was referred to as '''Shengjing''' ({{lang-zh|c=盛京|p=Shèngjīng|l=Prosperous Capital|labels=no}})
* '''[[Taipei]]''' in Taiwan has been the ''de facto'' capital and the seat of government of the [[Taiwan|Republic of China]] since 1949.
* '''[[Tongwancheng]]''' was the capital of the [[Xia (Sixteen Kingdoms)|Hu Xia dynasty]] from 419 to 427.
* '''[[Wuhan]]''' was the capital of a [[Wuhan Nationalist government|government]] formed by [[Wang Jingwei]] and leftist members of the [[Kuomintang]] in 1927. It opposed the [[Nationalist government]] led by Kuomintang leader [[Chiang Kai-shek]]. It was also briefly "provisional wartime capital" in 1937 during the [[Second Sino-Japanese War|Sino-Japanese war]].
* '''[[Shangdu|Xanadu / Shangdu]]''' ({{lang-zh|c=上都|p=Shàngdū|l=Upper Capital|labels=no}}), located northwest of present-day [[Dolon Nor]] in [[Inner Mongolia]], [[China]], was the [[summer capital]] of the [[Yuan dynasty]]. After the fall of the Yuan dynasty, it briefly became the capital of the [[Northern Yuan dynasty]] between 1368 and 1369. It was destroyed in 1369.
* '''[[Xi'an]]''' (also romanized '''Sian'''), previously usually called '''[[Chang'an]]''', and including its surrounding areas in present-day [[Shaanxi|Shaanxi Province]], was the capital of various dynasties, including:
::* The [[Zhou dynasty|Western Zhou dynasty]], from around 1046 BC to 771 BC. See also [[Fenghao]].
::* The state of [[Qin (state)|Qin]] (9th century  BC – 221 BC) and the [[Qin dynasty]] (221–206 BC). The Qin capital, called '''[[Xianyang]]''' ({{lang-zh|t=咸陽|s=咸阳|p=Xiányáng}}), was located near present-day Xi'an. It was destroyed by fire in 206 BC by [[Xiang Yu]].<ref name="Shiji, Xiang Yu Benji">{{cite Shiji|7|anchor=項羽|trans-chapter=7: 項羽本紀|lp=1|ref={{sfnref|Shiji, Xiang Yu Benji}}}}</ref>
::* The [[Han dynasty|Western Han dynasty]], from 206 BC to AD 9.
::* The [[Xin dynasty]] (AD 9–23), referred as '''Chang'an''' ({{lang-zh|c=常安|p=Cháng'ān|l=perpetually safe|labels=no}})
::* The [[Han dynasty|Eastern Han dynasty]], from AD 190 to 195.
::* The [[Jin dynasty (265–420)|Western Jin dynasty]], from AD 312 to 316.
::* The state of [[Former Zhao]] during the [[Sixteen Kingdoms]] period, from AD 318 to 329.
::* The State of [[Former Qin]] during the Sixteen Kingdoms period, from AD 351 to 385.
::* The State of [[Later Qin]] during the Sixteen Kingdoms period, from AD 384 to 417.
::* The [[Western Wei|Western Wei dynasty]] (AD 535–557)
::* The [[Northern Zhou|Northern Zhou dynasty]] (AD 557–581)
::* The [[Sui dynasty]], from AD 581 to 605, referred to as '''Daxing''' ({{lang-zh|s=大兴|t=大興|p=Dàxīng|l=Great Prosperity|labels=no}})
::* The [[Tang dynasty]], from AD 618 to 684, and then from AD 705 to 904.
* '''[[Ye (ancient China)|Ye]]''' ({{lang-zh|s=邺|t=鄴|p=Yè|labels=no}}), located within the present-day city of [[Handan]], was one of secondary capital cities of [[Cao Wei]] (220–265), and the capital city of several regional kingdoms during [[Eastern Jin]] period: [[Later Zhao]] (319–351), [[Ran Wei]] (350–352) and [[Former Yan]] (337–370). It was also the capital city of two major dynasties in [[Southern and Northern dynasties]] period: [[Eastern Wei|Eastern Wei dynasty]] (534–550), and the [[Northern Qi|Northern Qi dynasty]] (550–577).
* '''[[Yinchuan]]''' was the capital of the [[Western Xia]] from 1038 to 1227, when it was called '''Xingqing''' ({{lang-zh|t=興慶|s=兴庆|p=Xīngqìng}}).
* '''[[Yingchang]]''' was briefly the capital of the [[Northern Yuan dynasty]] from 1369 to 1370.
* '''[[Zhaoge]]''' was the secondary capital city during last years of [[Shang dynasty]] when it was ruled by [[King Zhou of Shang|King Zhou]]. Later, it was the capital city of [[Wey (state)|Wey]] during the [[Eastern Zhou]] period.
* '''[[Zhaoqing]]''' was the capital of the [[Southern Ming|Southern Ming dynasty]] from 1646 to 1662.

{{Location map+|China
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 |width  = 800
 |relief = 1
 |caption=
Legend: [[File:Red_pog.svg|8px]] "Four Great Ancient Capitals", [[File:Orange pog.svg|8px]] "Eight Great Ancient Capitals".
 |places =

 {{location map~ |China |marksize=8 |position=top    |mark=Red_pog.svg    |label=<small>[[北京|Beijing]]</small>   |lat=39.90 |long=116.40}}
 {{location map~ |China |marksize=8 |position=right  |mark=Red_pog.svg    |label=<small>[[南京|Nanjing]]</small>   |lat=32.06 |long=118.78}}
 {{location map~ |China |marksize=8 |position=left   |mark=Red_pog.svg    |label=<small>[[洛陽|Luoyang]]</small>   |lat=34.66 |long=112.44}}
 {{location map~ |China |marksize=8 |position=bottom |mark=Red_pog.svg    |label=<small>[[Chang'an]]</small>   |lat=34.27 |long=108.90}}

 {{location map~ |China |marksize=8 |position=bottom |mark=Orange pog.svg |label=<small>[[開封|Kaifeng]]</small>   |lat=34.80 |long=114.30}}
 {{location map~ |China |marksize=8 |position=left   |mark=Orange pog.svg |label=<small>[[杭州|Hangzhou]]</small>   |lat=30.25 |long=120.17}}
 {{location map~ |China |marksize=8 |position=right  |mark=Orange pog.svg |label=<small>[[安陽|Anyang]]</small>   |lat=36.10 |long=114.35}}
 {{location map~ |China |marksize=8 |position=right  |mark=Orange pog.svg |label=<small>[[鄭州|Zhengzhou]]</small>   |lat=34.75 |long=113.62}}
}}

== Chronology ==
{| class=wikitable
!colspan=2| [[Dynasties in Chinese history|Dynasty]] / Government !! Capital !! Period !! Notes
|-
| rowspan=17 | '''[[Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors]]''' || '''[[Nüwa]]''' ||  ||  || 
|-
| '''[[Youchao]]''' ||  ||   
|-
| '''[[Suiren]]''' ||  ||  || 
|-
| '''[[Zhurong]]''' ||  ||  || 
|-
| '''[[Fuxi]]''' || [[Huaiyang County|Chen]]<br>陳 || c. 2852–2737 BC || 
|-
| '''[[Shennong]]''' / '''[[Yan Emperor]]''' || [[Qufu|Lu]]<br>魯 || c. 2737–2699 BC || 
|-
| '''[[Yellow Emperor]]''' || [[Xinzheng|Xuanyuan]]<br>軒轅 || c. 2699–2588 BC || 
|-
| '''[[Taihao]]''' || [[Huaiyang County|Wanqiu]]<br>宛丘 ||  || 
|-
| '''[[Shaohao]]''' || [[Qufu|Qiongsang]]<br>窮桑 || c. 2587–2491 BC || 
|-
| '''[[Gonggong]]''' ||  ||  || 
|-
| rowspan=2| '''[[Zhuanxu]]''' || [[Gaoyang County|Gaoyang]]<br>高陽 || c. 2490 BC – 25th century BC || 
|-
| [[Puyang|Diqiu]]<br>帝丘 || c. 25th century BC – 2413 BC || 
|-
| rowspan=2| '''[[Emperor Ku|Ku]]''' || [[Puyang|Diqiu]]<br>帝丘 || c. 2412 BC – 24th century BC || 
|-
| [[Yanshi|Bo]]<br>亳 || c. 24th century BC – 2343 BC || 
|-
| '''[[Emperor Zhi|Zhi]]''' || [[Bo'ai County|Qinghua]]<br>清化 || c. 2343–2333 BC || 
|-
| '''[[Emperor Yao|Yao]]''' || [[Linfen|Pingyang]]<br>平陽 || c. 2333–2234 BC || 
|-
| '''[[Emperor Shun|Shun]]''' || [[Yongji, Shanxi|Puban]]<br>蒲坂 || c. 2233–2184 BC || 
|-
| rowspan=13 colspan=2 | '''[[Xia dynasty]]''' || [[Xia County|Daxia]]<br>大夏 || rowspan=2| [[Gun (Chinese mythology)|Gun]] || 
|-
| [[Song County|Song]]<br>嵩 ||
|-
| [[Yangcheng (historical city)|Yangcheng]]<br>陽城 || [[Yu the Great|Yu]]<ref>李玉潔. [2003] (2003). 中國早期國家性質. 知書房出版集團. {{ISBN|986-7938-17-8}}, {{ISBN|978-986-7938-17-6}}.</ref> ||
|-
| [[Yuzhou,, Henan|Yangzhai]]<br>陽翟 || [[Yu the Great|Yu]], [[Qi of Xia|Qi]], [[Tai Kang|Taikang]] || 
|-
| Chu<br>鉏 || [[Hou Yi]] ||
|-
| [[Luoyang|Qiongshi]]<br>窮石 || [[Hou Yi]], [[Hanzhuo]] ||
|-
| [[Zhenxun|Zhen]]<br>斟 || [[Tai Kang|Taikang]], [[Zhong Kang|Zhongkang]] ||
|-
| [[Puyang|Diqiu]]<br>帝丘 || [[Xiang of Xia|Xiang]], [[Shao Kang|Shaokang]] ||
|-
| [[Jiyuan|Yuan]]<br>原 || [[Zhu of Xia|Zhu]] ||
|-
| [[Kaifeng|Laoqiu]]<br>老丘 || [[Zhu of Xia|Zhu]] to [[Jiong of Xia|Jiong]] ||
|-
| [[Anyang|Xihe]]<br>西河 || [[Jin of Xia|Jin]] to [[Fa of Xia|Fa]] ||
|-
| [[Zhenxun|Zhen]]<br>斟 || [[Jie of Xia|Jie]] ||
|-
| Henan<br>河南 || [[Jie of Xia|Jie]]<ref name="ba">Bamboo annals Xia chapter on Xia Jie under the name Gui (癸).</ref> ||
|-
| rowspan=16 colspan=2 | '''[[Shang dynasty]]''' || Bo<br>亳 || [[Tang of Shang|Tang]]<ref name="ba" /> ||
|-
| Fan<br>蕃 || Xie ||
|-
| Dishi<br>砥石 || Zhaoming ||
|-
| Shang<br>商 || Zhaoming ||
|-
| Shangqiu<br>商邱 || Xiangtu ||
|-
| Foot of [[Mount Tai]]<br>泰山麓 || Xiangtu ||
|-
| Shangqiu<br>商邱 || Xiangtu ||
|-
| [[Yinxu|Yin]]<br>殷 || Shanghou ||
|-
| Shangqiu<br>商邱 || Yinhou ||
|-
| Bo<br>"西"亳 || Tang ||
|-
| Xiao<br>囂 || [[Zhong Ding|Zhongding]] ||
|-
| [[Neihuang County|Xiang]]<br>相 || [[He Dan Jia|Hedanjia]] ||
|-
| [[Xingtai|Xing]]<br>邢 || [[Zu Yi|Zuyi]] ||
|-
| [[Yuncheng County|Bi]]<br>庇 || Zuyi ||
|-
| [[Qufu|Yan]]<br>奄 || [[Nan Geng|Nangeng]] ||
|-
| [[Yinxu|Yin]]<br>殷 || [[Pan Geng|Pangeng]] ||
|-
| rowspan=5 | '''[[Zhou dynasty]]'''
| rowspan=2 |'''[[Western Zhou]]'''|| [[Xi'an|Zongzhou]]<br>宗周 || 1046 BC – 771 BC || Western capital
|-
| [[Luoyang|Chengzhou]]<br>成周 || 1039 BC – 771 BC || Eastern capital(auxiliary capital)
|-
| rowspan=3 | '''[[Eastern Zhou]]''' || [[Luoyang|Chengzhou]]<br>成周 || 770 BC – 367 BC ||
|-
| Henan<br>河南 || 367 BC – 256 BC || capital of the '''Western Zhou State'''
|-
| Gong<br>鞏 || 367 BC – 249 BC || capital of the '''Eastern Zhou State'''
|-
| rowspan=6 colspan=2 | '''[[Qin dynasty]]''' || [[Tianshui|Xiquanqiu]]<br>西犬丘 || || Modern [[Tianshui]], [[Gansu]].
|-
| [[Baoji|Pingyang]]<br>平陽 ||  – 677 BC || Modern [[Baoji]], [[Shaanxi]].
|-
| [[Fengxiang County|Yong]]<br>雍 || 677 BC –  || Near Baoji, Shaanxi.
|-
| [[Jingyang County|Jingyang]]<br>涇陽 ||  – 383 BC || Near [[Xianyang]], Shaanxi, near to [[Xi'an]].
|-
| [[Yueyang (Qin)|Yueyang]]<!--NOT Liyang; cf. Zdic--><br>櫟陽 || 383 BC – 250 BC || Located in modern [[Xi'an]].
|-
| [[Xianyang]]<br>咸陽 || 350 BC – 207 BC || City in modern [[Shaanxi]], near to [[Xi'an]]
|-
| rowspan=3 | '''[[Han dynasty]]''' || rowspan=3 |'''Western Han''' || [[Luoyang]]<br>雒陽 || 202 BC ||
|-
| [[Yueyang (Qin)|Yueyang]]<!--NOT Liyang; cf. Zdic--><br>櫟陽 || 202 BC – 200 BC || Located in modern Xi'an
|-
| [[Chang'an]]<br>長安 || 200 BC – 8 BC ||
|-
| colspan=2| '''[[Xin dynasty]]''' || [[Chang'an]]<br>常安 || AD 8–23 ||
|-
| rowspan=3 | '''[[Han dynasty]]''' || rowspan=3 |'''Eastern Han''' || [[Luoyang]]<br>雒陽 || AD 25–190 ||
|-
| [[Chang'an]]<br>長安 || 191–195 ||
|-
| [[Xuchang|Xu]]<br>許 || 196–220 || Modern [[Xuchang]], [[Henan]].
|-
| rowspan=3 | '''[[Three Kingdoms|Three Kingdoms period]]''' || '''[[Cao Wei]]''' || [[Luoyang]]<br>洛陽 || 220–265 ||
|-
| '''[[Shu Han]]''' || [[Chengdu]]<br>成都 || 221–263 ||
|-
| '''[[Eastern Wu]]''' || [[Jiankang|Jianye]]<br>建業 || 227–279 || Later called [[Jiankang]]. Located near modern [[Nanjing]].
|-
| rowspan=3 | '''[[Jin dynasty (266–420)|Jin dynasty]]''' || rowspan=2 |'''Western Jin''' || [[Luoyang]]<br>洛陽 || 265–313 ||
|-
| [[Chang'an]]<br>長安 || 313–316 ||
|-
| '''Eastern Jin''' || [[Jiankang]]<br>建康 || 317–420 ||Located near modern [[Nanjing]].
|-
| rowspan="6" | '''[[Northern dynasties]]''' || rowspan=2 | '''[[Northern Wei]]''' || [[Datong|Pingcheng]]<br>平城 || 386–493 || Modern [[Datong]], [[Shanxi]].
|-
| [[Luoyang]]<br>洛陽 || 493–534 ||
|-
|'''[[Eastern Wei]]'''
|[[Ye (Hebei)|Ye]]<br>鄴 || 534–550 || Located in modern [[Handan]], [[Hebei]].
|-
|'''[[Western Wei]]'''
|[[Chang'an]]<br>長安 || 535–557 ||
|-
| '''[[Northern Qi]]''' || [[Ye (Hebei)|Ye]]<br>鄴 || 550–577 ||
|-
| '''[[Northern Zhou]]''' || [[Chang'an]]<br>長安 || 557–581 ||
|-
| rowspan=4 | '''[[Southern dynasties]]''' || '''[[Liu Song dynasty|Liu Song]]''' || [[Jiankang]]<br>建康 || 420–479 ||
|-
| '''[[Southern Qi]]''' || [[Jiankang]]<br>建康 || 479–502 ||
|-
| '''[[Liang dynasty]]''' || [[Jiankang]]<br>建康 || 502–557 ||
|-
| '''[[Chen dynasty]]''' || [[Jiankang]]<br>建康 || 557–589 ||
|-
| rowspan=2 colspan=2| '''[[Sui dynasty]]''' || [[Chang'an|Daxing]]<br>大興 || 581–618 ||auxiliary capital (605–618). Modern [[Chang'an]].
|-
| [[Luoyang|Dongdu]]<br>東都 || 605–618 || Modern [[Luoyang]], [[Henan]]. 
|-
| rowspan=2 colspan=2 | '''[[Tang dynasty]]''' || [[Chang'an]]<br>長安 || 618–690 ||
|-
|| [[Luoyang]]<br>洛陽 || 657–690 || auxiliary capital
|-
| colspan=2 | '''[[Zhou dynasty (690–705)|Wu Zhou]]''' || [[Luoyang]]<br>洛陽 || 690–705 ||
|-
| rowspan=3 colspan=2| '''[[Tang dynasty]]'''<br/>(restored) || [[Chang'an]]<br>長安 || 705–904 ||
|-
|| [[Luoyang]]<br>洛陽 || 705–736 || auxiliary capital
|-
| [[Luoyang]]<br>洛陽 || 904–907 ||
|-
| rowspan=5 | '''[[Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period]]'''
| '''[[Later Liang (Five Dynasties)|Later Liang]]''' || [[Luoyang|Dongdu]]<br>東都 || 907–923 ||
|-
| '''[[Later Tang]]''' || [[Luoyang|Dongdu]]<br>東都 || 923–936 ||
|-
| '''[[Later Jin (Five Dynasties)|Later Jin]]''' || [[Kaifeng|Dongjing]]<br>東京 || 936–947 || 
|-
| '''[[Later Han (Five Dynasties)|Later Han]]''' || [[Kaifeng|Dongjing]]<br>東京 || 947–950 ||
|-
| '''[[Later Zhou]]''' || [[Kaifeng|Dongjing]]<br>東京 || 951–960 ||
|-
| rowspan=17| '''[[Song dynasty]]''' || '''[[Northern Song Dynasty|Northern Song]]''' || [[Kaifeng|Dongjing]]<br>東京 || 960–1127 || Modern [[Kaifeng]], [[Henan]].
|-
| rowspan=16| '''Southern Song''' || [[Shangqiu|Nanjing]]<br>南京 || 1127–1129
|After the fall of Dongjing, [[Emperor Gaozong of Song|Zhao Gou]] declares himself emperor in [[Henan]]
|-
|[[Yangzhou]]<br>揚州 || rowspan=9| 1129–1130 || rowspan=9| Flight of [[Emperor Gaozong of Song|Emperor Gaozong]] during the Jin invasion of the [[Yangtze Delta]] in 1129–1130.
|-
|[[Zhenjiang]]<br>鎮江
|-
|[[Hangzhou|Lin'an]]<br>臨安
|-
|[[Shaoxing|Yuezhou]]<br>越州
|-
|[[Ningbo|Mingzhou]]<br>明州
|-
|[[Dinghai]]<br>定海
|-
|Off the coast [[Taizhou, Zhejiang, Eastern China|Taizhou]], [[Wenzhou]]<br>"海上朝廷"
|-
|[[Taizhou, Zhejiang|Zhang'an]]<br>章安
|-
|[[Shaoxing|Yuezhou]]<br>越州
|-
|[[Hangzhou|Lin'an]]<br>臨安 || 1130–1276 || Song court settles in Lin'an for 146 years
|-
|[[Fuzhou]]<br>福州 || 1276–1277 || rowspan=3| Flight of [[Emperor Duanzong of Song|Emperor Duanzong]] along the southeast coast following the fall of Lin'an in 1276.
|-
|[[Guangzhou]]<br>廣州 || 1277–1278
|-
|[[Sung Wong Toi|Guanfuchang]]<br>官富場 || rowspan=2| 1278
|-
|[[Mui Wo|Gangzhou]]<br>碙州 || [[Emperor Bing of Song|Emperor Bingzong]] succeeds Duanzong on [[Lantau Island]] in modern [[Hong Kong]]
|-
|[[Yamen (town)|Yashan]]<br>崖山 || 1278–1279 || Song court makes [[Battle of Yamen|last stand]] off the coast of [[Yamen (town)|Yashan]]
|-
| rowspan=2 colspan=2| '''[[Liao dynasty]]''' || [[Linhuangfu|Shangjing]]<br>上京 || 907–1120 || Modern [[Linhuangfu]], Inner Mongolia.
|-
| [[Beijing|Nanjing]]<br>南京 || 1122–1123 || Modern [[Beijing]].
|-
| colspan="2" rowspan="2" |'''[[Qara Khitai|Western Liao]]'''
|[[Emin County|Emin]]<br>葉密立 || 1132–1134 || In modern [[Xinjiang]].
|-
| [[Balasagun]]<br>虎思斡耳朵 || 1134–1218 ||
|-
| rowspan=3 colspan=2| '''[[Jin dynasty (1115–1234)|Jin dynasty]]''' || [[Huiningfu|Shangjing]]<br>上京 || 1115–1153 || Also called [[Huiningfu]].
|-
| [[Zhongdu]]<br>中都 || 1153–1214 ||Located in modern-day Beijing.
|-
| [[Kaifeng|Nanjing]]<br>南京 || 1214–1234 || Modern [[Kaifeng]].
|-
| colspan=2| '''[[Western Xia]]''' || [[Yinchuan|Xingqing]]<br>興慶 || 1038–1227 || Modern [[Yinchuan]] in [[Ningxia]].
|-
| colspan="2" rowspan="2" |'''[[Yuan dynasty]]'''
|[[Shangdu]]<br>上都 || May 1264 – 1267 || Known in the West as "Xanadu."
|-
| [[Khanbaliq|Dadu]]<br>大都 || 1267<ref>Kenneth Pletcher (2010) ”The History of China”, page 173 {{ISBN|1615301097}}</ref> – August 1368 || Also called [[Khanbaliq]]; located in modern-day Beijing.
|-
| colspan="2" rowspan="3" |'''[[Northern Yuan dynasty|Northern Yuan]]'''
|[[Shangdu]]<br>上都 || August 1368 – 1369 || Known in the West as "Xanadu."
|-
| [[Yingchang]]<br>應昌 || 1369–1370 ||
|-
| [[Karakorum]]<br>哈拉和林 || 1371–1388 ||
|-
| rowspan=2 colspan=2| '''[[Ming dynasty]]''' || [[Nanjing]]<br>南京 || 23 January 1368 – 2 February 1421 ||
|-
| [[Beijing]]<br>北京 || 2 February 1421 – 25 April 1644 ||
|-
| colspan="2" rowspan="4" |'''[[Southern Ming]]'''
|[[Nanjing]]<br>南京 || 1644 – 1645 ||
|-
| [[Fuzhou]]<br>福州 || 1645 – 1646 ||
|-
| [[Guangzhou]]<br>廣州 || 1646 – 1647 ||
|-
| [[Zhaoqing]]<br>肇慶 || 1646 – 25 April 1662 ||
|-
| rowspan=6 colspan=2| '''[[Later Jin (1616–1636)|Later Jin]]''' || [[Fe Ala]]<br>費阿拉 || 1587–1603 ||
|-
| [[Hetu Ala]]<br>赫圖阿拉 || 1603–1619 || Later renamed Xingjing (興京).
|-
| [[Jiefan]]<br>界凡 || 1619 – September 1620 ||
|-
| [[Sarhu]]<br>薩爾滸 || September 1620 – April 1621 ||
|-
| [[Liaoyang|Dongjing]]<br>東京 || April 1621 – 11 April 1625 ||
|-
| [[Shenyang|Shengjing]]<br>盛京 || 11 April 1625 – 1636 || Today known as [[Shenyang]], also called by the Manchu name "Mukden."
|-
|rowspan=2 colspan=2| '''[[Qing dynasty]]''' || [[Shenyang|Shengjing]]<br>盛京 || 1636 – 30 October 1644 || Today known as [[Shenyang]], also called by the Manchu name "Mukden."
|-
| [[Beijing]]<br>北京 || 30 October 1644<ref>William T. Rowe (2009) [https://books.google.com/books?id=KN7Awmzx2PAC&q=anhui+1919+mongolia+xu+shuzheng ”China's Last Empire: The Great Qing”], page 19 {{ISBN|0674036123}}</ref> – 12 February 1912<ref name="Esherick">Esherick, Joseph. [2000] (2000). Remaking the Chinese City: Modernity and National Identity, 1900-1950. University of Hawaii Press. {{ISBN|0-8248-2518-7}}.</ref>||
|-
| colspan="2" rowspan="18" | '''[[Republic of China (1912–49)|Republic of China]]''' || [[Nanjing]]<br>南京 || 1 January 1912 – 2 April 1912 || [[Provisional Government of the Republic of China (1912)|Provisional Government]]
|-
| [[Beijing]]<br>北京 || 2 April 1912 – 30 May 1928 || [[Beiyang government]]<ref name="Esherick" />
|-
| [[Shenyang|Fengtian]]<br>奉天 || 30 May 1928 – 29 December 1928 || [[Beiyang government]]
|-
| [[Guangzhou]]<br>廣州 || 1 July 1925 – 21 February 1927 || Guangzhou Nationalist Government
|-
| [[Wuhan]]<br>武漢 || 21 February 1927 – 19 August 1927 || [[Wuhan Nationalist Government]]<ref name="Clark">Clark, Anne Biller. Clark, Anne Bolling. Klein, Donald. Klein, Donald Walker. [1971] (1971). Harvard Univ. Biographic Dictionary of Chinese communism. Original from the University of Michigan v.1. Digitized Dec 21, 2006. p 134.</ref>
|-
| [[Nanjing]]<br>南京 || 18 April 1927 – 20 November 1937 || the [[Nanjing decade]]<ref name="Esherick" />
|-
| [[Luoyang]]<br>洛陽 || 29 Jan 1932 – 1 December 1932 || 
|-
| [[Beijing]]<br>北平 || 9 September 1930 – 23 September 1930 || Beiping Nationalist Government
|-
| [[Taiyuan]]<br>太原 || 23 September 1930 – 4 November 1930 || Beiping Nationalist Government
|-
| [[Guangzhou]]<br>廣州 || 28 May 1931 – 22 December 1931 || Guangzhou Nationalist Government
|-
| [[Chongqing]]<br>重慶 || 21 November 1937 – 5 May 1946 || during the [[Second Sino-Japanese War]]<ref name="Esherick" />
|-
| [[Nanjing]]<br>南京 || 30 March 1940 – 10 August 1945 || [[Wang Jingwei Government]]
|-
| [[Nanjing]]<br>南京 || 5 May 1946 – [[Temporary Provisions against the Communist Rebellion|1 May 1991]] || From 23 April 1949 to 1 May 1991, Nanjing was the claimed capital of the Republic of China
|-
| [[Guangzhou]]<br>廣州 || 23 April 1949 – 14 October 1949 || during the [[Chinese Civil War]]
|-
| [[Chongqing]]<br>重慶 || 14 October 1949 – 30 November 1949 || during the [[Chinese Civil War]]
|-
| [[Chengdu]]<br>成都 || 30 November 1949 – 27 December 1949 || during the [[Chinese Civil War]]
|-
| [[Xichang]]<br>西昌 || 27 December 1949 – 27 March 1950 || during the [[Chinese Civil War]]
|-
| [[Taipei]]<br>台北 || 10 December 1949 – Present || Established as capital following the [[Republic of China retreat to Taiwan]]
|-
| colspan="2" rowspan="4" |'''[[Chinese Soviet Republic]]'''<br>'''[[History of the People's Republic of China|People's Republic of China]]''' || [[Ruijin]]<br>瑞金 || 7 November 1931 – 10 October 1934 || Establishments of the Chinese Soviet Republic
|- 
| [[Zhidan|Bao'an]]<br>保安 || July 1936 – January 1937 || From 1934 to 1936, the [[Long March]] occurred.
|-
| [[Yan'an]]<br>延安 || January 1937 – 22 September 1937 || CSR dissolves in the midst of the formation of the [[Second United Front]]
|-
| [[Beijing]]<br>北京 || 1 October 1949 – Present ||
|}
<!--==Controversy==
{{Original research|section|date=April 2011}}

Choosing the capital of China has always been a matter of politics over logistics. Some historians{{who|date=December 2010}} have questioned why Beijing should have ever been chosen as a capital at all, even in the present day.{{Citation needed span|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.|date=April 2011}} 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.<ref name="Haw">Haw, Stephen G. [2007] (2007). Beijing a Concise History. Routledge. ISBN 978-0-415-39906-7</ref> Furthermore, {{Citation needed span|Beijing's location near China's northern frontier has also posed historical strategic military disadvantages.|date=April 2011}} Had the capital of the [[Ming dynasty]] not been located there, in the 17th century the [[Manchu people|Manchus]] could not have attacked it so easily, taking over and establishing the [[Qing dynasty]].<ref name="Haw" />{{Citation needed span|China's main food source has always been in the [[Northern and southern China|southern]] region of the country.|date=April 2011}} Therefore, due to its smaller distance from the main food & water sources, the "preferred" or "logical" capital city has commonly been thought{{By whom|date=December 2010}} to be Nanjing.<ref name="Haw" />-->

== See also ==
{{portal|China}}
* [[Former capitals of Chinese provinces]]
* [[Chinese palace]]
* [[Dynasties of China]]
* [[History of China]]
* [[Names of Beijing]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{Chinese Imperial Government}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Historical Capitals Of China}}
[[Category:Ancient Chinese capitals| ]]
[[Category:Lists of historical capitals|China]]