Chang’an
/tʂʰɑ̌ŋ.ʔàn/noun
Chang’an was an ancient Chinese city that served as the capital of several imperial dynasties, especially the Han and Tang.
Did you know?During the Tang dynasty, Chang’an was one of the world’s largest cities and a cosmopolitan crossroads where Buddhism, Zoroastrianism, Christianity, and foreign ritual traditions circulated.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Chinese
Old Chinese
長安
“Long peace; enduring tranquility”
2nd Century BCE
Chinese
長安
“Name given to the imperial capital established near present-day Xi’an”
Han Dynasty
Chinese
長安
“Capital of the Western Han empire and political center of imperial China”
Sui Dynasty
Chinese
大興城
“Greatly Flourishing City; the rebuilt capital later associated with Chang’an”
Tang Dynasty
Middle Chinese
長安
“International imperial capital and major eastern terminus of Silk Road exchange”
Modern English
English
Chang’an
“Historical name for the ancient capital near modern Xi’an”