美国网友问：中国的汉唐帝国为何把西安这么偏僻的城市设为首都？

长安”，位于近现代陕西省西安市，是古代的几个朝代的都城，中国从周朝到唐朝一直都是繁华的城市，并最终成为世界上最伟大的大都市之一。通过常规的绿树成荫的大道，高墙，游乐园和专门用于特定功能的区域，它提供了一个被其他亚洲国家首都复制的模型，特别是在日本和韩国。在美版知乎Quora上，美国网友提问道：中国强盛的汉唐帝国为何把西安这么偏僻的城市设为首都？这引起各国网友的围观和热议。

华人网友丹娜特·王的回答

Why did most of the prosperous dynasties have their capital in Chang'an? Why hasn't Chang'an become the capital since the Tang Dynasty?

为什么盛世王朝大都建都在长安？那为什么唐朝以后长安再没成为首都？

I think the first thing to understand is the causal relationship. It is not that the establishment of Chang'an as the capital achieved the prosperous period of the Han and Tang dynasties, but that Chang'an was chosen as the capital of the prosperous period of the Han and Tang dynasties.

我认为首先应该搞清因果关系，不是建都长安成就了汉唐盛世，而是盛世汉唐的首都选择了长安。

In fact, before the Tang Dynasty, the capital of the dynasty was almost exclusively chosen from two regions: Guanzhong and Heluo, or in other words, Chang'an and Luoyang. Western Zhou Haojing (Guanzhong), Qin Xianyang (Guanzhong), Western Han Chang'an (Guanzhong), Eastern Han Luoyang (Heluo), Cao Wei Luoyang, Western Jin Luoyang and Chang'an, Northern Wei Luoyang, Sui Chang'an, Tang Chang'an.

实际上，唐朝以前，王朝定都几乎只在两个地区中选择，关中和河洛，或者说，长安和洛阳。西周镐京（关中），秦咸阳（关中），西汉长安（关中），东汉洛阳（河洛），曹魏洛阳，西晋洛阳、长安，北魏洛阳，隋长安，唐长安。

Why is this situation happening? Because in ancient China, where agriculture was the foundation of the country, Guanzhong and Heluo were almost the most fertile areas with the most developed agriculture, the strongest economic foundation, and the most concentrated population. Perhaps only Hebei can be compared to them. However, in terms of the traditional core Han region, Hebei is slightly located, while Chang'an and Luoyang are at the center of the world. Compared to Luoyang, Chang'an not only has fertile land, but also has the dangers of Xiaoguan, Hangu Pass, and Qinling Mountains, making it easy to defend but also difficult to attack, making it more suitable as a national capital.

为什么出现这样的情况，因为在以农立国的古代中国，关中和河洛几乎就是土地最肥沃，农业最发达，经济基础最强，人口最集中的地区。能和他们相提并论的恐怕就只有河北了。但是以传统的核心汉地区域来看，河北位置略偏，长安和洛阳却是天下正中。同时相比洛阳，长安不仅同样土地肥沃，而且有崤关，函谷关，秦岭之险，易守难攻，更适合作为国都。

In the Han and Tang dynasties, if they didn't choose to establish their capital in Chang'an, where else could they choose? During the Tang Dynasty, Lingnan was still an alternative place for distributing officials. Most of the areas in the Jiangsu and Zhejiang regions were still wilderness areas inhabited by mountains and Yue during the Three Kingdoms period. The problems in Shandong and Hebei are the same, located in a corner. What did Li Bai say about the dangerous roads and inconvenient transportation in Sichuan?“蜀道难，难于上青天” The Shu Road is difficult, it's harder to reach the blue sky

处在汉唐那个时代，他们不选择立都长安，还能选择哪里呢？岭南在唐时都还是发配官员的备选之地。江浙一带的大部分地区，三国时还是山越聚居的蛮荒之地。山东和河北的问题一样，偏居一隅。四川道路险阻，交通不便，李白怎么说的？“蜀道难，难于上青天”

So when it comes to choosing, only Chang'an, represented by the Guanzhong region, was the most suitable capital at that time.

所以选来选去，只有长安，只有以长安为代表的关中地区，在当时是最适合作为国都的。

Why hasn't Chang'an, or Guanzhong, been the capital since the Tang Dynasty? It is due to climate change and long-term overexploitation that the Guanzhong region has become increasingly arid, experiencing soil erosion, declining economic strength, and population loss. It is no longer the region with the strongest economy in the country, and its status has repeatedly declined since then.

为什么唐以后长安，或者说关中再没有当过首都？是因为气候的变迁，以及长期的过度开发，导致关中地区越发干旱，水土流失，经济实力下降，人口流失。不再是全国经济最强的地区了，之后地位一再下降。

Han Chang'an covers an area of 36 square kilometers and has a population of over 500000. Tang Chang'an covers an area of 84 square kilometers and has a population of over one million. When we arrived in Xi'an during the Ming Dynasty, it only covered an area of 11 square kilometers and had a population of less than 500000. As a result, it declined to this point. How can we become the national capital?

汉长安占地36平方公里，人口50余万。唐长安占地84平方公里，人口百万以上。到了明西安，占地就只有11平方公里，人口50万以下，衰败至此，如何做国都？

In short, there are two reasons why Guanzhong can become the capital city. Firstly, it is the so-called four fortresses, surrounded by Guancheng on all sides, easy to defend and safe; The second is that the Guanzhong Plain is rich and forgiving, with a vast expanse of fertile land. During the Qin and Han dynasties, it was able to afford the food and supplies needed for a capital city, so as not to be trapped by the enemy, which is said to be able to advance, attack, retreat, and defend.

总之，关中之所以能够成为都城，原因有二，一是所谓的四塞之地，四面关城，易于防守，安全；二则是关中平原富恕，沃野千里，在秦汉时期是能够负担得起一个都城所需要的粮食、物资等，不至于被敌人困死，也就是传说中的进可攻退可守。

Is it not only safe but also prosperous to choose it as the capital city? And there is another reason in between. At that time, the center of gravity of China's economy was in the Central Plains, which is on both sides of the Yellow River and today's Henan and Hebei provinces. Seizing the Central Plains to protect oneself, and taking the wealth of the Central Plains to enrich the country and strengthen the military, the entire country is like an iron barrel of rivers and mountains that no one can shake.

既安全，又富庶，选之作为都城，是不是再合适不过？而且这中间还有另一层原因。即当时中国经济的重心在中原之地，也就是黄河两岸，今天的河南河北。扼关中以自保，取中原财富以富国强兵，整个国家就是所谓铁桶般的江山，无人可以撼动。

Why did Chang'an later become a waste capital? In summary, there are two points: firstly, the southward shift of China's center of gravity and economy; The second is the inherent weakness of Chang'an and Guanzhong, which is that their physical quantity is limited and they are no longer able to afford the material and resource needs of a rapidly increasing population capital, resulting in no one establishing the capital of Xi'an after the Sui and Tang dynasties.

为什么长安后来又成了废都？归结起来就是两点，一是中国重心和经济的南移；二是长安和关中固有的弱点，即本身体量有限，已经无力负担一个人口急剧增加的都城所需要的物质、资源等，以致隋唐之后无人建都西安。

海外网友乔治·阿诺的回答

Chang'an may be Northwest in modern day. But it was center of Chinese civilization in ancient days. The origin of Chinese civilization is in Northwest and North Central China. The rest were barbarians to them.

长安在现代可能是偏居西北，但它在古代是中国文明的中心，中华文明起源于中国西北和中北部。其余的对他们来说都是野蛮人。

This is map of Erlitou culture in Henan, one of the earliest Sinitic Civilization. It Is near Northwest China which is original Sinitic too. The rest of places were non-Sinitic.

这是河南二里头文化地图，河南是中国最早的文明发源地之一。它在中国西北附近，也是原始的华夏起源地，其余的地方还没有经历汉化。

This is Yangshao culture in Northwest and North Central China. It was another early Sinitic Civilization.

下面是中国西北和中北部的仰韶文化。这是另一个早期的中国文明。

This map is Shang Dynasty. It is after Yangshao culture. Its capital is still Henan also next to Northwest China.

这张地图是商代的。它是在仰韶文化之后。它的首都仍然是河南，也紧挨着当时中国地界的西北部。

Shang conquered Eastern barbarian Dongyi and Southern barbarian Nanman. Shandong, Beijing and South Chinese lands below Yangtze are not Chinese originally. They became Chinese after joining Shang Dynasty.

商征服了东夷和南蛮。山东、北京和长江以南的中国土地本来就不是华夏族。他们加入商朝后成为华夏族。

Zhou Dynasty comes after Shang Dynasty. It's Capital is Fenghao in Shaanxi Northwest China.

周是在商朝之后。它的首都是中国西北陕西的丰镐。

Tang Dynasty conquered more Southern barbarians Nanman from further South of Yangtze.

唐朝征服了更多来自江南的南蛮。

Qin people from Northwest China conquered most of China. Chinese got their writing script from Qin people.

来自中国西北的秦人征服了中国的大部分地区。中国人的文字就是从秦人那里得到的。

Northwest China and Central China were center of Chinese civilization. It is only recently that East and Southeast China became the center.

西北和华中是中华文明的中心。直到最近，中国东部和东南部才成为中心。

“It would be like the Roman Empire choosing London as its capital.”

“这就像罗马帝国选择伦敦作为首都一样。”

You mixed it up. Chang'an is the Rome. Beijing and Shanghai are the London. The Old Rome got overshadowed by Anglos and North Europeans. The Chang'an got overshadowed by Shanghai and Beijing.

你把它搞混了。长安就是罗马。北京和上海是伦敦。古罗马现在的风头已经被盎格鲁人和北欧人掩盖，就像长安被上海和北京盖过了一样。

中国网友卢静韦的回答

The choice of capital by the Han dynasty and Tang dynasty in ancient China was influenced by various factors, including strategic, political, and economic considerations. While Changan (modern-day Xi'an) may seem distant from the economic centers of the time, there were several reasons behind this decision:

中国古代汉唐王朝对资本的选择受到多种因素的影响，包括战略、政治和经济因素。虽然长安（现代西安）似乎远离当时的经济中心，但这一决定背后有几个原因：

1. Geographic Location: Changan was strategically located in a relatively central region of ancient China, making it easily accessible from different parts of the empire. This location helped in maintaining better control and communication with various regions, including the northern territories that were prone to invasions.

1.地理位置：长安位于中国古代一个相对中心的地区，地理位置优越，从帝国的不同地区都很容易到达。这个位置有助于与各个地区保持更好的控制和沟通，包括容易被入侵的北部地区。

2. Defense: Changan was located near the frontier regions, which made it easier to defend against external threats. Its geographical position provided a natural barrier to protect the capital from invasions, particularly from the nomadic tribes in the north.

2.防御：长安地处边疆区附近，更容易抵御外部威胁。它的地理位置为保护首都免受入侵，特别是北方游牧部落的入侵提供了天然屏障。

关中平原

3. Historical Significance: Changan had a long-standing historical significance, dating back to the Western Zhou dynasty. It was considered a place of importance and governance, which influenced the decision to make it a capital. The symbolic value and historical legacy associated with the city played a role in the choice.

3、历史意义：长安的历史意义源远流长，可以追溯到西周时期。它被认为是一个重要的地方和治理，这影响了将其作为首都的决定。与这座城市相关的象征价值和历史遗产在这一选择中发挥了作用。

4. Economic Considerations: While Changan might not have been the economic hub at the time, it had its own economic significance. The city was located along the Silk Road, a major trade route that connected China with Central Asia and beyond. This allowed for commercial activities and cultural exchanges to thrive, bringing economic benefits to the city.

4.经济考量：长安当时可能不是经济中心，但它有自己的经济地位。这座城市位于丝绸之路沿线，丝绸之路是连接中国与中亚及其他地区的主要贸易路线。这使得商业活动和文化交流蓬勃发展，为城市带来了经济效益。

It is equally important to note that throughout history, the choice of a capital has multiple reasons, including political, cultural, and historical factors. Considering the unique environment and considerations that shaped the decision-making of historical dynasties, the comparison between modern London and ancient Chang'an may not be entirely consistent, despite the fact that Britain and Shaanxi look similar.

同样重要的是要注意，纵观历史，首都的选择有多种原因，包括政治、文化和历史因素。考虑到形成历史王朝决策的独特环境和考虑因素，现代伦敦和古代长安之间的比较可能并不完全一致别看英国和陕西长得差不多。

中国网友周越程

The Han Dynasty (206 BCE - 220 CE), the Sui Dynasty (581-618 CE) and the Tang Dynasty (618 - 907 CE) all chose Chang'an (also spelled Changan) as their capital.

汉朝（公元前206-220年）、隋朝（公元581-618年）和唐朝（公元618-907年）都选择了长安作为首都。

Strategic Location: Chang'an was strategically located along the Silk Road, which was a crucial trade route that connected China to Central Asia, the Middle East, and Europe. This location allowed the Han Dynasty to control and benefit from trade along the Silk Road, contributing to the empire's wealth and prosperity.

战略位置：长安位于丝绸之路沿线，丝绸之路是连接中国与中亚、中东和欧洲的重要贸易路线。这个位置使汉朝能够控制丝绸之路沿线的贸易并从中受益，为帝国的财富和繁荣做出了贡献。

Defensible Position: Chang'an's location in a basin surrounded by mountains made it a naturally defensible capital, providing protection from external threats.

防御位置：长安位于群山环绕的盆地中，是一个自然防御的首都，可以抵御外部威胁。

Symbolic Significance: Chang'an was seen as the center of the civilized world in ancient Chinese cosmology, and it had historical and cultural significance as a capital city. The Han Dynasty wanted to establish its legitimacy and authority by adopting this prestigious location.

象征意义：长安在中国古代宇宙观中被视为文明世界的中心，作为都城具有历史文化意义。汉朝希望通过采用这个享有盛誉的位置来建立其合法性和权威。

Economic Prosperity: During the Tang Dynasty, Chang'an became one of the most prosperous and cosmopolitan cities in the world. Its location along the Silk Road made it a hub for trade and cultural exchange, attracting merchants, scholars, and travelers from across Asia and beyond.

经济繁荣：唐朝时期，长安成为世界上最繁荣、最国际化的城市之一。它位于丝绸之路沿线，是贸易和文化交流的枢纽，吸引了来自亚洲及其他地区的商人、学者和游客。

During the Tang Dynasty (618-907 CE), Chang'an was always a capital distribution center and the most important great city for the world and East Asia. At its peak in the 8th century AD, this city may have the largest concentrated population in the world: nearly 3 million residents (1 million people within the city walls and 2 million people in the surrounding suburbs. These people came from various parts of China), including many immigrants, attracted by the city's huge commerce and positioned at the end of the Silk Road crossing Asia. Everything from furniture to spices is traded in two major markets in this city.

唐朝（618-907 CE）长安一直是资本集散地，也是对世界和东亚地区来说最重要的伟大城市。在公元8世纪的高峰期，这个城市可能拥有世界上最大的集中人口：接近300万居民（城墙内有100万人，周边郊区有200万人。这些人来自中国各地）包括许多移民，被城市的巨大商业所吸引，定位于穿越亚洲的丝绸之路的尽头。从家具到香料的所有商品都在这个城市的两个大市场进行交易。

Administrative Efficiency: Chang'an was well-connected to other parts of the empire, allowing for efficient governance. The Tang Dynasty implemented a system of regional administration that relied on the capital as the center of power.

行政效率：长安与帝国其他地区有着良好的联系，从而实现了高效的治理。唐朝实行以首都为权力中心的地方行政制度。

Cultural Flourishing: Chang'an was a center of cultural and intellectual activity during the Tang Dynasty, fostering the development of literature, art, music, and science. It played a crucial role in the Golden Age of Chinese civilization.

文化繁荣：长安是唐代文化和智力活动的中心，促进了文学、艺术、音乐和科学的发展。它在中华文明的黄金时代发挥了至关重要的作用。

Political Stability: The Tang Dynasty maintained relative stability during its rule, which contributed to Chang'an's status as the capital.

政治稳定：唐朝在统治期间保持了相对稳定，这有助于长安成为首都。