The Imperial Capitals of China

The Imperial Capitals of China PDF Author: Arthur Cotterell
Publisher: Abrams
ISBN: 1468306057
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 202

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Book Description
This history of China’s imperial capital cities reveals “a picaresque chronicle of dynastic succession and court intrigue” across millennia (Publishers Weekly). Throughout the long history of Imperial China, emperors designed their capital cities in ways that reveal the heart of their dynasty. The ley lines of these cities reveal religious preoccupations, while the design of important buildings tells us much about the cultural influences of the period. The Shang Emperor of the third century B.C. made obsessive—and ultimately fatal—attempts to engage the Immortals with cosmologically pleasing urban planning. Meanwhile, the Tang capital at Chang'an betrays the striking creativity and cultural receptiveness that earmark the era as a literary and artistic golden age. And the Forbidden City of fifteenth century Beijing still stands as testament to Ming dynasty architectural virtuosity. Arthur Cotterell provides an inside view of the rich array of characters, political and ideological tensions, and technological genius that defined the imperial cities of China, as each in turn is uncovered, explored, and celebrated. The oldest continuous civilization in existence today stands to become the most influential.

The Imperial Capitals of China

The Imperial Capitals of China PDF Author: Arthur Cotterell
Publisher: Abrams
ISBN: 1468306057
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 202

Get Book Here

Book Description
This history of China’s imperial capital cities reveals “a picaresque chronicle of dynastic succession and court intrigue” across millennia (Publishers Weekly). Throughout the long history of Imperial China, emperors designed their capital cities in ways that reveal the heart of their dynasty. The ley lines of these cities reveal religious preoccupations, while the design of important buildings tells us much about the cultural influences of the period. The Shang Emperor of the third century B.C. made obsessive—and ultimately fatal—attempts to engage the Immortals with cosmologically pleasing urban planning. Meanwhile, the Tang capital at Chang'an betrays the striking creativity and cultural receptiveness that earmark the era as a literary and artistic golden age. And the Forbidden City of fifteenth century Beijing still stands as testament to Ming dynasty architectural virtuosity. Arthur Cotterell provides an inside view of the rich array of characters, political and ideological tensions, and technological genius that defined the imperial cities of China, as each in turn is uncovered, explored, and celebrated. The oldest continuous civilization in existence today stands to become the most influential.

China's Second Capital - Nanjing under the Ming, 1368-1644

China's Second Capital - Nanjing under the Ming, 1368-1644 PDF Author: Jun Fang
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1135008450
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 234

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Book Description
This book is a study of the dual capital system of Ming dynasty China (1368-1644), with a focus on the administrative functions of the auxiliary Southern Capital, Nanjing. It argues that the immense geographical expanse of the Chinese empire and the poor communication infrastructure of pre-modern times necessitated the establishment of an additional capital administration for effective control of the Ming realm. The existence of the Southern Capital, which has been dismissed by scholars as redundant and insignificant, was, the author argues, justified by its ability to assist the primary Northern Capital better control the southern part of the imperial land. The practice of maintaining auxiliary capitals, where the bureaucratic structures of the primary capital were replicated in varying degrees, was a unique and valuable approach to effecting bureaucratic control over vast territory in pre-modern conditions. Nanjing translates into English as "Southern Capital" and Beijing as "Northern Capital".

Eighteen Capitals of China

Eighteen Capitals of China PDF Author: William Edgar Geil
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : China
Languages : en
Pages : 632

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Book Description


History of Capital Cities in China

History of Capital Cities in China PDF Author: Zhi Dao
Publisher: DeepLogic
ISBN:
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages :

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Book Description
The book provides highlights on the key concepts and trends of evolution in History of Capital Cities in China, as one of the series of books of “China Classified Histories”.

Capital Cities and Urban Form in Pre-modern China

Capital Cities and Urban Form in Pre-modern China PDF Author: Victor Cunrui Xiong
Publisher: Taylor & Francis
ISBN: 1317235568
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 309

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Book Description
Luoyang, situated in present-day Henan province, was one of the great urban centres of pre-Qin and early imperial China, the favoured site for dynastic capitals for almost two millennia. This book, the first in any Western language on the subject, traces the rise and fall of the six different capital cities in the region which served eleven different dynasties from the Western Zhou dynasty, when the first capital city made its appearance in Luoyang, to the great Tang dynasty, when Luoyang experienced a golden age. It examines the political histories of these cities, explores continuity and change in urban form with a particular focus on city layouts and landmark buildings, and discusses the roles of religions, especially Buddhism, and illustrious city residents. Overall the book provides an accessible survey of a broad sweep of premodern Chinese urban history.

Ancient Chinese Capitals

Ancient Chinese Capitals PDF Author: Source Wikipedia
Publisher: Booksllc.Net
ISBN: 9781230759883
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 26

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Book Description
Please note that the content of this book primarily consists of articles available from Wikipedia or other free sources online. Pages: 24. Chapters: Ancient Linzi, Chang'an, Fenghao, Historical capitals of China, Jiankang, Khanbaliq, Luoyang, Xiadu, Xianyang, Xuchang, Yanjing, Ye (ancient China), Yinxu, Zhaoge. Excerpt: Chang'an .) (simplified Chinese: traditional Chinese: pinyin: Chang' n; Wade-Giles: Ch'ang-an) is an ancient capital of more than ten dynasties in Chinese history, today known as Xi'an. Chang'an literally means "Perpetual Peace" in Classical Chinese. During the short-lived Xin Dynasty, the city was renamed "Constant Peace" (Chinese: pinyin: Chang' n); yet after its fall in AD 23, the old name was restored. By the time of the Ming Dynasty, the name was again changed to Xi'an, meaning "Western Peace," which has remained its name to the present day. Chang'an had been settled since the Neolithic times, during which the Yangshao Culture established in Banpo in the city's suburb. Also in the northern vicinity of the modern Xi'an, the tumulus ruler Qin Shi Huang of Qin Dynasty held his imperial court, and constructed his massive mausoleum guarded by the famed Terracotta Army. From its capital at Xianyang, the Qin dynasty ruled a larger area than either of the preceding dynasties. The imperial city of Chang'an during the Han Dynasty was located in northwest of today's Xi'an. During the Tang Dynasty, the area to be known as Chang'an included the area inside the Ming Xi'an fortification, plus some small areas to its east and west, and a major part of its southern suburbs. The Tang Chang'an hence, was 8 times the size of the Ming Xi'an, which was reconstructed upon the premise of the former imperial quarter of the Sui and Tang city. During its heyday, Chang'an was one of the largest and most populous cities in the world. Around AD 750, Chang'an was called a "million people's city" in Chinese records, while modern estimates put it at around...

Beijing and Xián

Beijing and Xián PDF Author:
Publisher: Hugh Lauter Levin Assc
ISBN: 9780883631591
Category : Photography
Languages : en
Pages : 124

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Book Description
This fascinating visual tour of two historic Chinese capitals includes 48 full-page colour photos; the accompanying text discusses the history, significance, and interesting details associated with each of the treasures pictured. Beijing was the capital city of five imperial dynasties. The emperors' legacies include the Imperial Palace, the Summer Palace, the Temple of Heaven, the Forbidden City, and Tiananmen Gate. Xian was the capital for over a thousand years, hosting other powerful dynasties. At the eastern end of the famous Silk Road, it was a centre of international trade and cultural exchange as early as the first or second century BC. Today, Xian houses a wealth of archaeological treasures, the most famous of which is the army of 8000 life-sized terra-cotta warriors in the mausoleum of Qin Shi Huang. Other attractions include the Forest of Steles and the Banpo Neolithic village.

China's Second Capital - Nanjing under the Ming, 1368-1644

China's Second Capital - Nanjing under the Ming, 1368-1644 PDF Author: Jun Fang
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1135008442
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 241

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Book Description
This book is a study of the dual capital system of Ming dynasty China (1368-1644), with a focus on the administrative functions of the auxiliary Southern Capital, Nanjing. It argues that the immense geographical expanse of the Chinese empire and the poor communication infrastructure of pre-modern times necessitated the establishment of an additional capital administration for effective control of the Ming realm. The existence of the Southern Capital, which has been dismissed by scholars as redundant and insignificant, was, the author argues, justified by its ability to assist the primary Northern Capital better control the southern part of the imperial land. The practice of maintaining auxiliary capitals, where the bureaucratic structures of the primary capital were replicated in varying degrees, was a unique and valuable approach to effecting bureaucratic control over vast territory in pre-modern conditions. Nanjing translates into English as "Southern Capital" and Beijing as "Northern Capital".

Daily Life in Ancient China

Daily Life in Ancient China PDF Author: Mu-chou Poo
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
ISBN: 1107021170
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 277

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Book Description
This book employs textual and archaeological material to reconstruct the various features of daily life in ancient China.

The Origin of East Asian Medieval Capital Construction System

The Origin of East Asian Medieval Capital Construction System PDF Author: Niu Runzhen
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1000381765
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 405

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Book Description
Ye is a historical Chinese city built in 659 BC and burned down to the ground in AD 580. The book investigates the characteristics of the city’s layout and its deep influence on the urban construction in East Asia since the 6th century AD. By studying archaeological findings and historical documents, the author illustrates the historical significance of Ye city, both as capital for six dynasties over 370 years of ancient Chinese history and as a paragon of East Asian capital planning. Ye serves as an exemplary model for famous capitals in later dynasties of imperial China, such as Beijing and Xi’an. Its influence also extends to other East Asian capitals, including Seoul in Korea, Kyoto in Japan, and Hanoi in Vietnam. Comparing the archetypical structure of Ye city and the features of its East Asian descendants, the author encapsulates the lineage of capital city development across medieval East Asia and uncovers a philosophy of construction that rests upon traditional Chinese thinking. The book will be an essential read for scholars and general readers interested in East Asian heritage, urbanology, and architecture, as well as a useful reference for urban planners willing to learn from historical experience.