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[[Xi'an]] was among the most important cities of [[China]] before 1000 AD. It remains a major regional centre. Xi'an was known as [[Chang'an]] in ancient times.
[[Xi'an]] has a rich history dating back to more than 6000 years ago. The below is a detailed discussion on the city's history. See also [[Xi'an]].
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{{TOC right}}

==Timeline==
==Timeline==
[[File:History of Xi'an.jpg|200px|thumb|The walls of cities within modern Xi'an from the Zhou to Qing dynasties.]]
⚫
*[[Zhou Dynasty]] established its [[Capital (political)|capital]] in Feng (灃/沣) and Hao (鎬/镐) between the late 11th century BC and 770 BC, both located west of contemporary Xi'an. In [[770 BC]], the capital was moved to [[Luoyang]] due to political unrest.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.suliantuo.net/qita-gudu-xian-1.htm|title=China's six major historical capitals - Xi'an's cultural history|accessdate=22 February 2011|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/5wftXxuhC|archivedate=22 February 2011}}</ref>
[[File:Du Halde - Description de la Chine - Villes de Si ngan fou et Tchouang lan.jpg|thumb|200px|Maps of "[[Si-ngan-fu]]" and "[[Tchouang-lan]]" from [[Du Halde]]'s 1736 ''[[Description of China]]'', based on [[Jesuit China missions|Jesuit]] reports]]

⚫
[[Image:China xian glockenturm 01.jpg|thumb|200px|Bell Tower]]
⚫
*The state [[Qin (state)|Qin]] moved its capital to [[Xianyang]] 350 BC just north of today's Xi'an on the north shore of [[Wei River]].<ref>Jane Portal (2007) ”The First Emperor: China's Terracotta Army”, Page 32, ISBN 0674026977</ref>

⚫
*[[Qin Dynasty]] (221-206 BC) constructed its capital in [[Xianyang]]. It was burned by [[Xiang Yu]] at the end of the dynasty.

⚫
*202 BC: [[Liu Bang]], the founding emperor of the [[Han Dynasty]], established Chang'an province as his capital; his first palace Changle Palace (長樂宮/长乐宫) was built across the river from the ruin of the Qin capital. This is traditionally regarded as the founding date of Chang'an and Xi'an.


⚫
*[[Zhou dynasty]] established its [[Capital (political)|capital]] in Feng ({{lang|zh|灃/沣}}) and Hao ({{lang|zh|鎬/镐}}) between the late 11th century BC and 770 BC, both located west of contemporary Xi'an. In 770 BC, the capital was moved to [[Luoyang]] due to political unrest.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.suliantuo.net/qita-gudu-xian-1.htm |title=China's six major historical capitals – Xi'an's cultural history |accessdate=22 February 2011 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110724085442/http://www.suliantuo.net/qita-gudu-xian-1.htm |archivedate=24 July 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
⚫
*The state [[Qin (state)|Qin]] moved its capital to [[Xianyang]] 350 BC just north of today's Xi'an on the north shore of [[Wei River]].<ref>Jane Portal (2007) ”The First Emperor: China's Terracotta Army”, Page 32, {{ISBN|0674026977}}</ref>
⚫
*[[Qin dynasty]] (221–206 BC) constructed its capital in [[Xianyang]]. It was burned by [[Xiang Yu]] at the end of the dynasty.
⚫
*202 BC: [[Liu Bang]], the founding emperor of the [[Han dynasty]], established Chang'an province as his capital; his first palace Changle Palace ({{lang|zh|長樂宮/长乐宫}}) was built across the river from the ruin of the Qin capital. This is traditionally regarded as the founding date of Chang'an and Xi'an.
*200 BC: Emperor [[Liu Bang]] built [[Weiyang Palace]] in Chang'an.
*200 BC: Emperor [[Liu Bang]] built [[Weiyang Palace]] in Chang'an.
⚫
*194 BC: Construction of the first [[city wall]] of Chang'an began, which was not finished until 190. The wall measured 25.7&nbsp;km in length, 12–16 m in thickness at the base. The area within the wall was ca. 36&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>.

⚫
*AD 190: The most powerful tyrant of the time, [[Dong Zhuo]], moved his court from [[Luoyang]] to Chang'an in a bid to avoid a coalition of powerful warlords going against him.{{cn|date=August 2024}}
⚫
*194 BC: Construction of the first [[city wall]] of Chang'an began, which was not finished until 190. The wall measured 25.7&nbsp;km in length, 12–16 m in thickness at the base. The area within the wall was ca. 36&nbsp;km².
⚫
*582: Emperor of [[Sui dynasty]] ordered a new capital to be built southeast of the Han capital, called [[Chang'an|Daxing]] (大興, ''great excitement''). It consisted of three sections: the palace, the imperial city, and the civilian section. The total area within the wall was 84&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>, The main street ''Zhuque Avenue'' measured 155 m in width. It was at the time the largest city in the world. The city was renamed Chang'an (長安, ''Perpetual Peace'' or ''Eternal Peace'') by the [[Tang dynasty]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.huaxia.com/gd/csdh/xa/2006/00459499.html |title=History of Xi'an |language=Chinese |accessdate=22 February 2011 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110211123827/http://www.huaxia.com/gd/csdh/xa/2006/00459499.html |archivedate=11 February 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

⚫
*7th century: [[Buddhism|Buddhist]] monk [[Xuanzang]] established a sizeable translation centre after returning from [[India]] with [[Sanskrit]] scriptures.
⚫
*190 AD - The most powerful tyrant of the time, [[Dong Zhuo]], moved his court from [[Luoyang]] to Chang'an in a bid to avoid a coalition of powerful warlords going against him.
⚫
*652: Construction of [[Great Wild Goose Pagoda]] began. It measured 64 m in height. This [[pagoda]] was constructed for the storage of the translations of Buddhist sutras obtained from India by the monk [[Xuanzang]].

⚫
*582: Emperor of [[Sui Dynasty]] ordered a new capital to be built southeast of the Han capital, called [[Chang'an|Daxing]] (大興, ''great excitement''). It consisted of three sections: the palace, the imperial city, and the civilian section. The total area within the wall was 84&nbsp;km², The main street ''Zhuque Avenue'' measured 155 m in width. It was at the time the largest city in the world. The city was renamed Chang'an (長安, ''Perpetual Peace'' or ''Eternal Peace'') by the [[Tang Dynasty]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.huaxia.com/gd/csdh/xa/2006/00459499.html|title=History of Xi'an|language=Chinese|accessdate=22 February 2011|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/5wftJE6eZ|archivedate=22 February 2011}}</ref>

⚫
*7th century: [[Buddhism|Buddhist]] monk [[Xuan Zang]], well known as [[Tang Sanzang]] in China, established a sizeable translation centre after returning from [[India]] with [[Sanskrit]] (the first language spoken in India) scriptures.

⚫
*652: Construction of [[Great Wild Goose Pagoda]] began. It measured 64 m in height. This [[pagoda]] was constructed for the storage of the translations of Buddhist sutras obtained from India by the monk [[Xuan Zang]].
⚫
[[Image:China xian glockenturm 01.jpg|thumb|200px|Bell Tower of Xi'an]]
*707: Construction of [[Small Wild Goose Pagoda]] began. It measured 45 m in height. After the [[earthquake]] of 1556, its height was reduced to 43.4 m.
*707: Construction of [[Small Wild Goose Pagoda]] began. It measured 45 m in height. After the [[earthquake]] of 1556, its height was reduced to 43.4 m.
*781: The [[Nestorian Stele]], also known as the '''Nestorian Stone''', '''Nestorian Monument''' or '''Nestorian Tablet''', is a [[stele]] erected during the [[Tang dynasty]] documenting 150 years of early [[Christianity in China]].

*904: The end of the [[Tang Dynasty]] brought destruction to Chang'an. Residents were forced to move to [[Luoyang]], the new capital. Only a small area continued to be occupied after the destruction.
*904: The end of the [[Tang dynasty]] brought destruction to Chang'an. Residents were forced to move to [[Luoyang]], the new capital. Only a small area continued to be occupied after the destruction.
*13th century: Marco Polo said that the people of Xi'an were all idolaters.<ref>{{cite book |editor-last=Murray |editor-first= Hugh |author-link= |date=1844 |title=Travels of Marco Polo |url=https://ia802704.us.archive.org/26/items/travelsofmarcopo00polo/travelsofmarcopo00polo.pdf |location= |publisher= Oliver & Boyd, Tweeddale court: and Simpkin, Marsall, & Co. |page=152 |isbn=}}</ref>

*1370: The [[Ming Dynasty]] built a new wall to protect a much smaller city of 12&nbsp;km². The wall measured 11.9&nbsp;km in [[circumference]], 12 m in height, and 15–18 m in thickness at the base.
*1370: The [[Ming dynasty]] built a new wall to protect a much smaller city of 12&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>. The wall measured 11.9&nbsp;km in [[circumference]], 12 m in height, and 15–18 m in thickness at the base.{{cn|date=August 2024}}
⚫
*1936: Xi'an was the site of the [[Xi'an Incident]] during the [[Second Sino-Japanese War]]. The Xi'an Incident brought the [[Chinese Communist Party]] and [[Kuomintang]] into the [[Second United Front]] so the two forces could concentrate on fighting against [[Japan]].{{cn|date=August 2024}}

⚫
*1949: May 20, 1949: The [[People's Liberation Army]] captured the city of Xi'an from the [[Kuomintang]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.xa.gov.cn/zwgk/content/content_zwzy1402525_1.htm |title=Public Government Policy |publisher=City of Xi'an |language=Chinese |accessdate=22 February 2011 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110707042857/http://www.xa.gov.cn/zwgk/content/content_zwzy1402525_1.htm |archivedate=7 July 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
⚫
*1936: Xi'an was the site of the [[Xi'an Incident]] during the [[Second Sino-Japanese War]]. The Xi'an Incident brought the [[Communist Party of China]] and [[Kuomintang]] to a truce so the two forces could concentrate on fighting against [[Japan]].

⚫
*1949: May 20, 1949: The [[People's Liberation Army]] captured the city of Xi'an from the [[Kuomintang]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.xa.gov.cn/zwgk/content/content_zwzy1402525_1.htm|title=Public Government Policy|publisher=City of Xi'an|language=Chinese|accessdate=22 February 2011|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/5wfuAg9g8|archivedate=22 February 2011}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[Xi'an]]


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist|30em}}


==Further reading==
==Further reading==
* {{Cite book |publisher = Routledge |isbn = 9781884964046 |title = International Dictionary of Historic Places: Asia and Oceania |publication-date = 1996 |editor=Schellinger and Salkin |location=UK |chapter=Xian |pages=870-873 }}
* {{Cite book |publisher = Routledge |isbn = 9781884964046 |title = International Dictionary of Historic Places: Asia and Oceania |publication-date = 1996 |editor=Schellinger and Salkin |location=UK |chapter=Xian |pages=870–873 }}
* {{cite book|editor=Laurence J.C. Ma and Fulong Wu |title=Restructuring the Chinese City: Changing Society, Economy and Space |year= 2004|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-1-134-31609-0 |chapter=Industrial restructuring and urban spatial transformation in Xi'an |page=140+ |author=Tingwei Zhang }}
* {{cite book|editor=Laurence J.C. Ma and Fulong Wu |title=Restructuring the Chinese City: Changing Society, Economy and Space |year= 2004|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-1-134-31609-0 |chapter=Industrial restructuring and urban spatial transformation in Xi'an |page=140+ |author=Tingwei Zhang }}


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{{DEFAULTSORT:History Of Xi'an}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:History Of Xi'an}}
[[Category:History of Xi'an]]
[[Category:History of Xi'an| ]]

Latest revision as of 02:07, 13 August 2024

Xi'an has a rich history dating back to more than 6000 years ago. The below is a detailed discussion on the city's history. See also Xi'an.

Timeline

[edit]
The walls of cities within modern Xi'an from the Zhou to Qing dynasties.
Maps of "Si-ngan-fu" and "Tchouang-lan" from Du Halde's 1736 Description of China, based on Jesuit reports
Bell Tower
  • Zhou dynasty established its capital in Feng (灃/沣) and Hao (鎬/镐) between the late 11th century BC and 770 BC, both located west of contemporary Xi'an. In 770 BC, the capital was moved to Luoyang due to political unrest.[1]
  • The state Qin moved its capital to Xianyang 350 BC just north of today's Xi'an on the north shore of Wei River.[2]
  • Qin dynasty (221–206 BC) constructed its capital in Xianyang. It was burned by Xiang Yu at the end of the dynasty.
  • 202 BC: Liu Bang, the founding emperor of the Han dynasty, established Chang'an province as his capital; his first palace Changle Palace (長樂宮/长乐宫) was built across the river from the ruin of the Qin capital. This is traditionally regarded as the founding date of Chang'an and Xi'an.
  • 200 BC: Emperor Liu Bang built Weiyang Palace in Chang'an.
  • 194 BC: Construction of the first city wall of Chang'an began, which was not finished until 190. The wall measured 25.7 km in length, 12–16 m in thickness at the base. The area within the wall was ca. 36 km2.
  • AD 190: The most powerful tyrant of the time, Dong Zhuo, moved his court from Luoyang to Chang'an in a bid to avoid a coalition of powerful warlords going against him.[citation needed]
  • 582: Emperor of Sui dynasty ordered a new capital to be built southeast of the Han capital, called Daxing (大興, great excitement). It consisted of three sections: the palace, the imperial city, and the civilian section. The total area within the wall was 84 km2, The main street Zhuque Avenue measured 155 m in width. It was at the time the largest city in the world. The city was renamed Chang'an (長安, Perpetual Peace or Eternal Peace) by the Tang dynasty.[3]
  • 7th century: Buddhist monk Xuanzang established a sizeable translation centre after returning from India with Sanskrit scriptures.
  • 652: Construction of Great Wild Goose Pagoda began. It measured 64 m in height. This pagoda was constructed for the storage of the translations of Buddhist sutras obtained from India by the monk Xuanzang.
  • 707: Construction of Small Wild Goose Pagoda began. It measured 45 m in height. After the earthquake of 1556, its height was reduced to 43.4 m.
  • 781: The Nestorian Stele, also known as the Nestorian Stone, Nestorian Monument or Nestorian Tablet, is a stele erected during the Tang dynasty documenting 150 years of early Christianity in China.
  • 904: The end of the Tang dynasty brought destruction to Chang'an. Residents were forced to move to Luoyang, the new capital. Only a small area continued to be occupied after the destruction.
  • 13th century: Marco Polo said that the people of Xi'an were all idolaters.[4]
  • 1370: The Ming dynasty built a new wall to protect a much smaller city of 12 km2. The wall measured 11.9 km in circumference, 12 m in height, and 15–18 m in thickness at the base.[citation needed]
  • 1936: Xi'an was the site of the Xi'an Incident during the Second Sino-Japanese War. The Xi'an Incident brought the Chinese Communist Party and Kuomintang into the Second United Front so the two forces could concentrate on fighting against Japan.[citation needed]
  • 1949: May 20, 1949: The People's Liberation Army captured the city of Xi'an from the Kuomintang.[5]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "China's six major historical capitals – Xi'an's cultural history". Archived from the original on 24 July 2011. Retrieved 22 February 2011.
  2. ^ Jane Portal (2007) ”The First Emperor: China's Terracotta Army”, Page 32, ISBN 0674026977
  3. ^ "History of Xi'an" (in Chinese). Archived from the original on 11 February 2011. Retrieved 22 February 2011.
  4. ^ Murray, Hugh, ed. (1844). Travels of Marco Polo (PDF). Oliver & Boyd, Tweeddale court: and Simpkin, Marsall, & Co. p. 152.
  5. ^ "Public Government Policy" (in Chinese). City of Xi'an. Archived from the original on 7 July 2011. Retrieved 22 February 2011.

Further reading

[edit]
  • Schellinger and Salkin, ed. (1996). "Xian". International Dictionary of Historic Places: Asia and Oceania. UK: Routledge. pp. 870–873. ISBN 9781884964046.
  • Tingwei Zhang (2004). "Industrial restructuring and urban spatial transformation in Xi'an". In Laurence J.C. Ma and Fulong Wu (ed.). Restructuring the Chinese City: Changing Society, Economy and Space. Routledge. p. 140+. ISBN 978-1-134-31609-0.
[edit]
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