The city of Xi’an，which in ancient times was alsoknown as Chang’an and Jing Zhao, is today the capital city of Shaanxi Province.It is one ofChina’s most famous historic and cultural sites.Located on the southern banks of the Wei River in the Guanzhong Plain，it enjoys the benefit of rich earth created by several large river systems.
As a result, Xi’an has been one of China’s seven ancient capitals. The others are Luoyang，Nanjing，Beijing，Kaifeng，Hangzhou，and Anyang.Among these，it is the most ancient and，with 3,000 years of history,the one with the longest past.It has seen the passage of many dynasties, from early Western Zhou (1134BC) all the way up to Tang(618–907). Western Zhou,Qin, Western Han, Xin,Western Jin, Early Zhao,EarlyQin，LaterQin，Western Wei，Northern Zhou，Sui，andTangallhadthei rcapitals here.Among the seven early capitals of China， Xi’an had the most extensive building. Chang’an’s streets and alleys and markets，and the palaces of Han and Tang dynasties give one an unforgettable sense of magnificent grandeur.Today，the famous historic sites dotted around Xi’an include：Banpo Museum，Great Goose Pagoda，Stelae Woods，Huaqing Pond，Qin Tomb and the Terracotta Warriors，Mao Ling（imperial tomb），Qian Ling（imperial tomb），Famen Temple，and others.
In 1982，Xi’an became one of the first registeredhistoric cultural cities in China.
The most glorious years of the early capital were in the Han and Tang dynasties.The following focuses on the Tang，and gives an introduction to theGreatTangEmpireinthe feudal period when it was atitsheight.Inthelate years of the Sui Dynasty，the Tang prince Li Yuan gathered troops underhim and participated in thelate-Suipeasantrebellions.Leadingalargearmyhe“entered the pass”into China properand in 618 declared the establishment of a new dynasty.
Its reign name was called Wude and its capital was at Chang’an（Xi’an）.This then began the period of Chinese history when the Li family ruled China as the Tang Dynasty.In the 9th year of Wude（626），the second son of Li Yuan，Li Shimin，with the assistance of certain important ministers，mobilized the“Xuanwumen Coup.”He put to death those opposing him，his elder brother Li Jiancheng and his youger brother Li Yuanji，and he forced his father Li Yuan off the throne.Ruling now as Emperor，he changed the reign name to Zhenguan，and he began his long rule as the famous Tang Taizong.Tang Taizong，or Li Shimin，was a most capable emperor among rulers in Chinese history.Although the path of his assuming power may not have been the most enlightened and virtuous，nevertheless his rule in both military and civil matters was one of splendid achievements.In the second year of Zhenguan，Emperor Taizong ordered his army’s general，Li Duan，to declare war on the Tujue（Turks）.Li Duan was greatly successful，obliterating the threat of various western tribes against the Central Plains.He then began to“open up”the northwest.At the same time，Emperor Taizong used highly capable ministers as his most important assistants，and they organized governmental affairs in a stable and secure fashion.He passed a series of legal，economic，and cultural reforms，leading the Great Tang Empire to previously unknownheights.The Zhenguan period is justly renowned inChinese history.
