Ranking the Top 7 Ancient Capital Cities of China 2025

As the most celebrated capital with over 3000 years and history of more than 850 as ancient capital, Beijing (previous name: Peking) is a world famous historical and cultural city and one of the seven ancient Chinese capitals. As the political, economic and cultural center for many ancient dynasties, Beijing bred numerous historical heritages like Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Great Wall, etc.

Study of history shows the earliest records dates back to the Later Yan Dynasty from 1045 BC when Beijing was titled Ji (蓟) and Yanjing (燕京). Then it served as one of the deputy capitals from A.D 938 of Liao Dynasty and named as Nanjing (南京) during that period. Until Jin Dynasty, Beijing became a nationwide political center - the middle of the five capitals and the official metropolis in the following Yuan, Ming and Qing Dynasties. Modern era of Beijing began in the 1949 when the People's Republic of China was founded. Looking back, major historical sites in Beijing were mainly generated from the Ming and Qing Dynasties, for example the Tiananmen Square intimately built in Ming and reconstructed in Qing, the majestic Forbidden City - royal palace for the two kingdoms, Summer Palace of Qing, Badaling Great Wall and Ming Mausoleum of emperor family were erected in Ming Dynasty. Peking Man Site at Zhoukoudian is another highlight of history of Beijing, where displays the first complete cranium fossil of Sinanthropus pekinensis – earthshaking finding on human development.

To discover the essence of Beijing, such as Forbidden City - the Most Magnificent Imperial Palace in the World, Mutianyu Great Wall - Essence of Great Wall in Ming Dynasty and the Longest Great Wall, Temple of Heaven - one of the most brilliant ancient architectures in China, Summer Palace - the Best Royal Garden in China and so on, you need at least 3 full days. If you want to discover more highlights of Beijing, you can plan one or two more days. You can have a Great Wall hiking to the wild sections, such as Simatai Great Wall, Jinshanling Great Wall, Gubeikou Great Wall, etc. or plan a family tour, photography tour, or walking tour to explore more of Beijing's charms. A visit to Beijing first will help you to learn about Chinese culture and history and Beijing is also the best city in China to start a China tour. It can be arrived from most international cities by flights and it has flights and trains to most of the popular destinations in China like Xian, Shanghai, Guilin, Zhangjiajie, Chengdu, Guangzhou, etc.

Xian (once called Chang-an) is one of the major birthplace of Chinese civilization and Chinese nation, as well as a member of the Top 10 Ancient Capitals in the World listed as the World Cultural and Historical City by UNESCO with ancient Rome, Athens, Babylon and etc in 1981.

According to the long history, Xian is the longest ancient Chinese capital established with the most dynasties and the easternmost origin of Silk Road in China, for there are 13 dynasties or regimes made Xian a capital for more than 1200 years. Therefore, abundant cultural and historical legacies were produced in this most influential ancient capital. After King Wu of Western Zhou Dynasty conquered Shang Dynasty, the authority took Xian to be the capital city Fenghao (丰镐); hence Xian started the capital status from then on. As time changes, Xian was later recognized as important capital repeatedly in Qin, Han, Sui Dynasties and more. The well-known Terracotta Warriors and Horses in Xian is the exquisite masterpiece by the first emperor of Qin Dynasty. The last Tang Dynasty was the most prosperous age for Xian, when the economy and culture were flourishing into the leading position in the world, and Taoism and Buddhist gained unprecedented development at that time.

As the ancient capital city for 13 dynasties in China's history, you never have to worry about finding no things to do in Xian. During the past thousands of years' history, ancient Chinese created so many historical and cultural wonders, such as Terracotta Warriors and Horses - the Eighth Wonder of the World, Ancient City Wall - the Best Preserved City Wall in China, Giant Wild Goose Pagoda - the Gem of Chinese Ancient Architectural History, etc. Wandering in this ancient city, you feel as you are tracing back a history book of China. While around Xian city, there are also some other attractions that worth to visit, like Bell Tower, Drum Tower and Grand Tang Dynasty Ever Bright City with Tang-style changeable landscape and jaw-dropping free shows. It is strongly recommended to make a day to hike Mount Huashan during your trip in Xian. This one of the most beautiful and most legendary mountains in China is only about 2 hours' driving from Xian.

Luoyang is another ancient capital for 13 dynasties same as Xian. Situated in West Henan Province and Middle reach of Yellow River, it is a main seminary of Chinese civilization and hub of ancient Sui Tang Grand Canal. Until now, Luoyang owns 5 World Cultural Heritage sites including Longmen Grottes, Hanwei Luoyang Ancient City Ruins, Dingding Gate, Huiluo Cabin and Hanjia Granary of the Grand Canal of China.

Xia Dynasty of 21 century BC is the earliest country set capital in Luoyang, the most abundant cultural relics - Erlitou Ruins from Middle and late Xia and early Shang Dynasty are one of the remarkable ancient legacy of China. Shang Dynasty also left the magnificent Luoyang Shang City Ruins built in 1600 BC with rich pottery, copper wares and jade articles. After moving capital to east Luoyang during the Eastern Zhou Dynasty, Luoyang lasted the political center for over 500 years. Later to the Tang Dynasty of Emperor Gaozong who made Luoyang as the eastern capital with ancient Xian, then Emperor Xuanzong ordered to repair the Taoist shrine on Mount Songshan - Zhongyue Temple and granted name of Tizu Tower in Fengxue Temple, and changed Luoyang into Dongjing. When in Wuzhou Dynasty, Empress Wuzetian expanded Luoyang and renamed it to God Capital, excavated Longmen Grottes to a larger scale, renovated the White Horse Temple and worshipped the Buddhism spread in China.

Being well-known as an old capital, Luoyang is featured with lots of cultural sites, such as Longmen Grottoes - a Masterpiece of Chinese Stone Carving, White Horse Temple - the First Buddhist Temple in China, Luoyang Museum, Erlitou Site Museum, etc. If you want to probe into Chinese history and culture, don't miss Luoyang. Moreover, Luoyang is the city of peony flowers. There are a lot of parks and gardens to visit during Luoyang Peony Festival when over 10 gardens are covered with colorful peony flowers. Luoyang is also a great gateway city to Shaolin Temple, which is famous for Zen Buddhism and Shaolin Kung Fu, and it needs only 1.5 hours' drive to travel between them. Usually, a classic Luoyang tour takes 2 ~ 3 days and 2 days is enough to have a tour covering Longmen Grottoes, Shaolin Temple and White Horse Temple.

Nanjing, capital of Jiangsu Province and the only megacity in Yangtze River Delta, is the ancient capital of 6 dynasties for about 500 years. Though the city got established for 2600 or so, it was identified as capital Jianye (建业) in A.D. 229 by emperor of Wu Kingdom during the Three Kingdoms Period, hereafter, more dynasties inherited this choice and called it Jiankang (建康) during six dynasties.

After renaming Moling to Jianye, King Sun Quan built many irrigation systems, strove to develop metallurgy of copper and iron and revered Buddhist around ancient Nanjing, Dabaoen Temple (the former Jianchu temple) - the earliest temple of Jiangnan and Southern China and the second Buddhist temple after White Horse Temple in Luoyang in China was built at that time. In the Six Dynasties, ancient Nanjing was one of the largest cities in the world whose population reached to 1 million first. And Nanjing initiated the precedent system of axisymmetric layout, the architecture construction style and plan that had profound effect on the later ages of China and countries in East Asia. Now the Nanjing Library and The Oriental Metropolitan Museum both kept much more relics of ancient Nanjing during the six dynasties. Still Nanjing in Ming Dynasty played essential political and cultural part, therefore there are plenty of historical relics reserved from Ming e.g. Xiaoling Tomb, Ancient City Wall.

Nanjing is a city with both ancient legacy and modern charm. It has the well-preserved city wall to savor the antiquity, museums to memorize the history, beautiful lakes and rivers to wander around... Nanjing is a worthwhile place to spend a couple of days. Generally speaking, a classic Nanjing tour takes at least 2 days to cover the main highlights in the city such as Confucius Temple - one of the most important temples to worship the siege Confucius, Ancient City Wall - the longest, largest, and best-preserved ancient city wall in the world, Xiaoling Tomb - the tomb of Zhu Yuanzhang who founded Ming Dynasty, etc. If you are interested in Buddhism, you can add a day to Niushoushan Forest Park. Or you can spend more days in Nanjing Museum and Qinhuai River, immersing yourself in the ancient city to know more about its culture and history. Besides, the convenient transportation enables tourists to visit Nanjing with both nearby Shanghai, Suzhou and Hangzhou.

Located in southeast coast region of China, Hangzhou is also one of the seven famous ancient Chinese capitals, the Wuyue Kingdom from Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period and the Southern Song Dynasty once set capital here. Though Hangzhou merely has 210 years history of capital role for 2 regional dynasties, the short periods, especially the Southern Song Dynasty promoted growth of Hangzhou in all fields, including population, upgraded status in politics, economy and culture, even the West Lake was fully exploited and sharped. So the large number of cultural heritage and natural landscape in Hangzhou gains it membership of famous ancient capitals of China.

During Wuyue Kingdom, the emperor facilitated transportation between Hangzhou and coastland cities, made trade with ancient Japan and Korea. Besides, the kings built lots of Buddhist temples, stupas, and grottoes to breed Buddhism in China, such as expanded Linyin Temple up to nine towers, eighteen pavilions and seventy-two halls with lots of cliff inscriptions, Buddhist sculptures and stupas, erected Zhaoqing Temple and Jingci Temple. The original Leifeng Pagoda stands on Lei Peak of Sunset Mountain by the West Lake was constructed to celebrate the emperor's concubines get a baby by King of Wuyue. And Tomb of King Qian from Wuyue is the only well-preserved emperor tomb in Zhejiang Province. Since 1138 of the Southern Song Dynasty, Hangzhou was officially pointed as an assistance capital which was described as the most beautiful city in the world and its prosperity is outstanding in the Travels of Marco Polo - a journey book by Venice travelers Marco Polo. During this time, Liuhe Pagoda - one of the best reserved ancient pagodas of brick and wood was rebuilt and an honorable story of national hero Yue Fei handed down.

Hangzhou has long been reputed as "the Heavenly City on Earth" for her poetic and pleasant charming sightseeing as well as elegant culture complimented by many famous ancient poets, thus, anyone been to Hangzhou would love this picturesque city. Travellers usually spend 1 ~ 3 days savoring the best natural and cultural highlights in Hangzhou, such as West Lake - the Most Poetic Site in China, Lingyin Temple - the Peaceful Buddhist Temple in Lush Forest, Liuhe Pagoda - Ancient Treasure at the Qiantang River, Longjing Tea Plantations - Brand-new Try in Nature & Chinese Tea Culture, etc. And most travellers also choose to have a leisure stay in Wuzhen Water Town or Xitang Water Town to seek the authentic leisure life of people in Yangtze River Delta. If time permits, you can stay more days in and around to explore and enjoy more. It is most popular to plan about 5 ~ 6 days to discover Shanghai, Suzhou and Hangzhou in one go.

Being the only ancient capital where the center axis of city planning keeps originally all the time, Kaifeng used to be capitals for 8 reigns. You can get some inspiration from Riverside Scene at Qingming Festival (one of China's top ten painting handed down from ancient times) and a rare city reserved stack of ancient cities overlaid others built in different dynasties.

Since King Sizhu of Xia Dynasty moved capital to Laoqiu (老丘-ancient Kaifeng), Kaifeng went through about 200 years as political center in Xia. Then in 361 BC, King Hui of Wei Dynasty moved capital back to Daliang (大梁-previous Kaifeng) from Anyi in Shanxi. From 907 A.D. of Later Liang Dynasty, there is more six dynasties successively made Kaifeng the capital for about 200 years, which includes two years in the first period of Later Liang, ten years in Later Jin, four years of Later Han, ten years of Later Zhou and 168 years as Dongjing (东京) during the Northern Song Dynasty and 19 years as Bianjing (汴京-ancient Kaifeng ) of late Jin Dynasty. Present Kaifeng simply kept few cultural relics for the severely damage it suffered. The most historic site Dragon Pavilion consisting of many ancient architecture communities was the royal palace for the six dynasties. As for period of Northern Song, the 13-stored Iron Pagoda with height of 55.88 was built, the then Buddhist center and the biggest temple - Daxiangguo Temple got multiple expansion and Kaifeng Fu - government site was preserved originally.

The profound history and culture of Kaifeng can be reflected in these attractions, like Dragon Pavilion, which served as the royal palace for many dynasties, Iron Pagoda with the special towering iron pagoda, Daxiangguo Temple - one of the 10 famous temples in China and so on. It's a city beyond ancient attractions. With lots of things to join in, you can stroll along the Kaifeng River and witness the bustling streets in the style of the Song Dynasty in Millennium City Park where you can watch the hilarious skits, exciting horse racing, and Cockfighting, etc. Getting to see the treasures in Kaifeng Museum and know the man of the city, the Lord Bao's story in Kaifeng Fu and Memorial Temple of Lord Bao, you will understand more about the soul and value this city has been rooted...

Lies in the northernmost Henan Province, Anyang is known as one of the ten oldest cities of China where the Oracle Bone Inscriptions were found and the Book of Changes (易经) originated. Known as an ancient capital of 7 dynasties, Anyang has two sites Yin Ruins and Yongji Canal of the Grand Canal of China listed as World Cultural Heritages.

Capital Yin (殷) in later Shang Dynasty for 273 years counts as the earliest stage of Anyang and it ended as capital Ye (邺) in the Northern Qi Dynasty for 28 years. As a once prosperous capital, Yin is rich in archeological ruins and cultural sites. The best-known one is Yin Ruins made of emperor tombs, palaces and Huanbei Shang City from Shang Dynasty, which is the first ancient capital can be traced in literatures and confirmed by archaeology and the oldest Chinese character - Oracle Bone Inscriptions. Moreover, the Lingquan Temple Grottes starting in Eastern Wei Dyansty is a grotto complex with pagoda forest. Lane City (Youli City-羑里城) of Shang Dynasty has the earliest national prison and is the cradle where Zhouyi (周易) Culture was born.

Located in the northwestern suburb of Anyang City, Yinxu is verified to be the ruins of Yin by oracle bone inscriptions and archaeological excavations. It is one of the greatest archeological discovery in China and was listed as UNESCO World Cultural Heritage sites in 2006. A large number of royal tombs, palaces, prototypes of Chinese architecture have been unearthed here. If you are a history and cultural fan interested in the golden age of early Chinese culture, don't miss Yinxu.