Chang'an: The Timeless Ancient Capital of China
Xi'an, the capital of Shaanxi Province, was formerly known as Chang'an. Chang'an was a renowned capital city in Chinese history, located roughly in the area of present-day Xi'an and Xianyang in Shaanxi Province. As the capital of thirteen dynasties, Chang'an had a history of over 1,200 years as a capital and was one of the longest-lasting and most influential capitals in China. It is known as one of the four ancient capitals of the world along with Athens, Rome and Cairo. Here, multiple dynasties and regimes left behind rich cultural legacies, endowing Chang'an culture with profound historical depth.
About a million years ago during the time of the Lantian Man, settlements were already being built in the Chang'an area. This not only marks the origin of local human civilization but also the ancestor of the entire Chinese civilization. Subsequently, ancient humans such as the Dali Man, the Hetao Man, and the Shayan Man successively lived and multiplied here, leaving behind rich cultural relics.
Four thousand years ago, the leader of the Zhou tribe led his people to move to the Zhouyuan area at the foot of Mount Qi in the Guanzhong Plain. After overthrowing the Shang Dynasty, they established their capital in Chang'an, initiating the first peak of Chang'an culture. During the Western Zhou period, the Chang'an region became a place of cultural prosperity, creating a unique regional culture of Chang'an. After the ancestors of the Qin people moved westward, they widely absorbed Zhou culture. Later, they conquered the six states, unified China, and established the first feudal autocratic empire. During the Qin Dynasty, Chang'an culture experienced its second peak of development, with a grand imperial capital culture centered around Xianyang.
During the Western Han Dynasty, Chang'an became the political, economic and cultural center of the country. Zhang Qian's mission to the Western Regions opened up the Silk Road, making Chang'an a bridge connecting Europe and Asia and the starting point of the "Silk Road". During the Tang Dynasty, Chang'an reached an unprecedented prosperity and became one of the most populous and prosperous cities in the world. The culture of Chang'an during this period, with its characteristics of openness, inclusiveness and integration, had a profound influence on later generations.
During the Tang Dynasty, Chang'an was the world's largest city. It was the capital with the largest scale, the most magnificent architecture and the most standardized planning and layout in the world at that time. It was said to have a population of over one million. Chang'an attracted a large number of foreign envoys and pilgrims to come for exchanges, promoting the spread and integration of cultures.
The culture of Chang'an integrates multiple ideological systems such as Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism, as well as traditional Chinese culture, literature of the Tang and Song dynasties, symbolism, and classic thoughts of the Pre-Qin period. The urban planning and architectural layout of Chang'an City reflect a high level of cultural pursuit and aesthetic taste. For instance, the layout of the Tang Chang'an City was rigorous and orderly, with broad and straight streets, tall and simple palaces, and closely arranged pavilions, demonstrating the grandeur and depth of Chang'an culture. Chang'an culture has nurtured numerous literary giants and artistic masters, and is one of the birthplaces of calligraphy, painting, music and other arts, leaving behind a rich artistic heritage.
