History of Ancient Chinese Capital City System

Author: Yang Kuan
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-10-01
Features: This book is part of the "Specialized History Series." Based on documentary materials combined with rich archaeological findings and numerous field investigations, it systematically studies and argues the development and evolution of ancient Chinese capitals and their systems, presenting many original insights. The author believes that the period from the pre-Qin to the Tang Dynasty was a historical stage of closed-capital systems. During the transition between the Western Han and Eastern Han dynasties, a significant change occurred in the capital system, transforming the entire capital's layout from "sitting west-facing east" to "sitting north-facing south." In the transition between the Tang and Song dynasties, the capital system underwent another major change, shifting from closed to open. These changes were driven by the rapid growth of the capital's population and the development of the economy and society. The book provides a detailed examination of ancient Chinese capitals, accompanied by a wealth of illustrative materials.