Xijing
/ˈʃiː.dʒɪŋ/noun
A historical Chinese name meaning “Western Capital,” used for several cities, especially Chang’an in present-day Xi’an.
Did you know?In Han-era China, Xijing commonly referred to Chang’an, while Luoyang was called Dongjing, creating a symbolic east–west pairing of imperial capitals.
Etymological Timeline
Classical Chinese
Old Chinese
西京
““Western Capital,” formed from 西 meaning “west” and 京 meaning “capital.””
2nd Century BCE
Chinese
Xijing
“A title associated with Chang’an, the western imperial capital of the Han dynasty.”
7th–10th Centuries
Chinese
西京
“A formal directional designation used in changing systems of Chinese imperial capitals.”
19th–20th Centuries
English
Xijing
“A scholarly romanization of the Chinese place-name and historical title.”
Modern English
English
Xijing
“A historical Chinese proper name, usually translated as “Western Capital.””