HISTORY

Xian was the capital of ancient China more than three thousand years ago, lasting through 13 dynasties from 1046 to 771 BC.



It ranked among the greatest cities in the world along with ancient Rome and Constantinople, later renamed Istanbul.

Architects have even discovered signs of human settlement in the area that go back more than 6,000 years to the Neolithic period.

The area was colonised by the nomadic Zhou people who settled near to Xian and later transformed it into the imperial seat of power.

The Zhou dynasty was overthrown by the Qin in the third century BC and the city remained at the political heart of China until the 9th Century.

The Qin ruled from their capital Xianyang, which is now part of modern Xian. In 582 AD a new city called Chang'an was established, now also part of the city.