Former capitals of Chinese provinces
Province-level divisions ofChinaby: |
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This is a list of thecurrent and formercapitalsof the subdivisions of China.Thehistory of Chinaandits administrative divisionsis long and convoluted; hence, this article will cover only capitals after the completion of theMongol conquest of Chinain 1279, because the modern province (shěngTỉnh) was first created during the Mongol-ledYuan dynasty.Years may not line up perfectly during periods of turmoil (e.g. at the end of each dynasty).
The list includes current and former provinces, as well as other first-level administrative units that have been used over the course of China's recent history, such asautonomous regions,military command zones during theQing dynasty,and so forth. Unless otherwise specified, a given administrative unit can be assumed to be aprovincewith its present name. Historical names of provinces and entities that are not provinces will be specified as they arise.
Excluded from the list:
- units below the first level;
- Direct-controlled municipalities of Chinaandspecial administrative regions;
- subnational entities of short-lived regimes, such as theTaiping Heavenly Kingdom,theChinese Soviet Republic,Manchukuo,Meng gian g,Wang Jingwei Government,etc. This is because their provinces were usually transitory in existence and tended to be smaller than usual.
Many of the capitals given in this chart have had multiple historical names during different dynasties. In some cases, different names were used concurrently for the same city. This chart givesonly the modern namesfor the sake of simplicity.
For the sake of simplicity, the chart will not attempt to be exhaustive in its descriptions of border changes.
National entities since 1279:
Year | 1271–1368 | 1368–1644 | 1644–1912 | 1912–1949 | 1949–present |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Government | Yuan dynasty | Ming dynasty | Qing dynasty | Republic of China(onMainland China) | People's Republic of China(on Mainland China) and Republic of China(onTaiwan Island) |
List of capitals:
Province (or equivalent) | Capital | When | Remarks | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Anhui | During the Yuan dynasty, modern Anhui was split between the Secretariat (Trung Thư Tỉnh) of the central government, the province of Jianghuai, and (from 1291) the province of Henan gian gbei. | |||
N/A | 1366–1644 | As part ofZhiliup to 1421; as part ofNanzhiliafter 1421. Administered directly by the central government, instead of a province. | ||
N/A | 1645–1661 | Part of Jiangnan Province, formed out of former Nanzhili in 1645. Split into Jiangsu and Anhui in 1661. | ||
Nanjing | 1661–1760 | Nanjing is now the capital of neighbouringJiangsuprovince. | ||
Anqing | 1760–1853 | |||
Hefei | 1853–1862 | During theTaiping Rebellion. | ||
Anqing | 1862–1946 | |||
Hefei | 1946–1949 | |||
Hefei(north) | 1949–1952 | As North Anhui and South Anhui administrative regions. | ||
Wuhu(south) | ||||
Hefei | 1952–present | |||
Fu gian | Fuzhou,Quanzhou | 1278–1299 | Between 1278 and 1299, separate provinces in the Fu gian area were repeatedly split out and remerged back intoJiangzhe Province. | |
N/A | 1299–1356 | Part ofJiangzhe Provinceuntil Fu gian Province was split out of it. | ||
Fuzhou | 1356–1938 | |||
Yong'an | 1938–1945 | During theSecond Sino-Japanese War | ||
Fuzhou | 1945–present | In 1949, thePRCcreated the "Fu gian Provincial People's Government". TheROC's "Fu gian Provincial Government"moved toKinmen. | ||
Kinmen(ROC) | 1949–1956 | After theROC's relocation to Taiwan. | ||
Hsintien(ROC) | 1956–1996 | InTaiwan Province,ROCenforced military governance inKinmenandMatsu | ||
Kinmen(ROC) | 1996–2018 | Demilitarized | ||
N/A(ROC) | 2019–present | Fu gian Provincial Governmentdefunct | ||
Gansu | Zhangye | 1286–1368 | ||
N/A | 1368–1667 | Part ofShaanxiProvince. | ||
Lanzhou | 1667–present | Gansu was called Gongchang 1667–1670. | ||
Guangdong | Before 1369, modern Guangdong was split between the provinces of Jiangxi, Huguang, and (from 1364) Guangxi. | |||
Guangzhou | 1369–present | Included modern Hainan until 1988. | ||
Guangxi | Mostly found withinHuguang Provincebefore 1364. | |||
Guilin | 1364–1912 | Included parts of modern Guangdong until 1369. | ||
Nanning | 1912–1936 | |||
Guilin | 1936–1950 | |||
Nanning | 1950–present | Guangxi Province became Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region in 1958. | ||
Guizhou | Mostly found within the provinces of Huguang, Sichuan, and Yunnan before 1413. | |||
Guiyang | 1413–present | |||
Hainan | Part of Huguang before 1364; part of Guangxi from 1364 to 1369; part of Guangdong after 1369. | |||
N/A | 1369–1988 | Part ofGuangdongProvince. | ||
Haikou | 1988–present | |||
Hebei | Administered by the Secretariat (Trung Thư Tỉnh) of the central government before 1368. Briefly split between Henan and Shandong provinces, 1368–1369. | |||
Beiping | 1369–1421 | As Beiping Province. | ||
N/A | 1421–1669 | AsBeizhiliup to 1645; asZhiliafter 1645. Administered directly by the central government, instead of a province. | ||
Baoding | 1669–1902 | As "Zhili". Converted into a province in 1911 as "Zhili Province" | ||
Tianjin | 1902–1928 | |||
Beiping | 1928–1930 | |||
Tianjin | 1930–1935 | |||
Baoding | 1935–1958 | |||
Tianjin | 1958–1966 | |||
Baoding | 1966–1968 | |||
Shijiazhuang | 1968–present | |||
Heilong gian g | N/A | 1264–1368 | Part ofLiaoyang Province."Liaoyang" was the final name of the province after several changes between 1264 and 1287. | |
Mongols, Manchus, and Ming China military garrisons in the area during the Ming dynasty. | ||||
Aigun | 1683–1690 | Area of control of the General of Heilong gian g. Became Heilong gian g Province in 1907. | ||
Nen gian g | 1690–1699 | |||
Qiqihar | 1699–1907 | |||
Qiqihar | 1907–1931 | |||
N/A | 1931–1945 | Part ofManchukuo. | ||
Bei'an | 1945–1949 | As Heilong gian g Province (northwestern part of modern Heilong gian g) | ||
Jiamusi | As He gian g Province (northeastern part of modern Heilong gian g) | |||
Qiqihar | As Nen gian g Province (southwestern part of modern Heilong gian g) | |||
Mudan gian g | As Song gian g Province (southeastern part of modern Heilong gian g) | |||
Qiqihar | 1949–1954 | As Heilong gian g Province (western part of modern Heilong gian g) | ||
Harbin | As Song gian g Province (eastern part of modern Heilong gian g) | |||
Harbin | 1954–present | New Heilong gian g formed from Song gian g + old Heilong gian g in 1954 | ||
Henan | Administered by the Secretariat (Trung Thư Tỉnh) of the central government for the most part before 1291. | |||
Kaifeng | 1291–1954 | Initially as Henan gian gbei Province, which included parts of modern Jiangsu, Anhui, and Hubei provinces. Given approximately modern borders and modern name in 1368. | ||
Zhengzhou | 1954–present | |||
Hubei | During the Yuan dynasty, modern Hubei was split between the provinces of Huguang, (from 1291) Henan gian gbei, and Sichuan. | |||
N/A | 1277–1664 | Part ofHuguang Province. | ||
Wuchang | 1664–1927 | |||
Wuhan | 1927–present | Wuhan is the amalgamation of Wuchang,Hankou,andHanyang. | ||
Hunan | N/A | 1277–1664 | Part ofHuguang Province. | |
Changsha | 1664–present | |||
Inner Mongolia | See the history section ofInner Mongoliafor the administrative entities of that region before 1947. | |||
Ulaanhot | 1947–1950 | As Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. | ||
Hohhot | 1950–present | |||
Jiangsu | Before 1356, modern Jiangsu was split between the Secretariat (Trung Thư Tỉnh) of the central government, the province of Jianghuai (from 1289), Jiangzhe (from 1291), the province of Henan gian gbei, and (from 1354) the province of Huainan gian gbei. | |||
N/A | 1366–1644 | As part ofZhiliup to 1421; as part ofNanzhiliafter 1421. Administered directly by the central government, instead of a province. | ||
N/A | 1645–1661 | Part of Jiangnan Province, formed out of former Nanzhili in 1645. Split into Jiangsu and Anhui in 1661. | ||
Nanjing,Suzhou | 1661–1912? | |||
Nanjing | 1912?–1928 | |||
Zhen gian g | 1928–1949 | |||
Yangzhou(north) | 1949–1952 | As North Jiangsu and South Jiangsu administrative regions. | ||
Wuxi(south) | ||||
Nanjing | 1952–present | |||
Jiangxi | Nanchang | 1277–present | Included parts of modern Guangdong until 1369. | |
Gan County(ROC) | 1949 | The communists captured Nanchang on May 22, establishing the "Jiangxi Provincial People's Government". Government moved to Gan County | ||
Taichung(ROC) | 1949 | Provincial seat moved to Taichung City in Taiwan Province after Gan County was captured. | ||
N/A(ROC) | 1949–present | Jiangxi Provincial Governmentdefunct | ||
Jilin | N/A | 1264–1368 | Part ofLiaoyang Province."Liaoyang" was the final name of the province after several changes between 1264 and 1287. | |
Mongols, Manchus, and Ming China military garrisons in the area during the Ming dynasty. | ||||
Ningguta | 1662–1757 | Area of control of the General of Ningguta (up to 1757) or the General of Jilin (from 1757). Became Jilin Province in 1907. | ||
Jilin City | 1757–1907 | |||
Jilin City | 1907–1931 | |||
N/A | 1931–1945 | Part ofManchukuo. | ||
Jilin City | 1945–1954 | |||
Changchun | 1954–present | |||
Liaoning | N/A | 1264–1368 | Part ofLiaoyang Province."Liaoyang" was the final name of the province after several changes between 1264 and 1287. | |
Partially under Shandong province during the Ming dynasty, until Manchu conquest c. 1618. | ||||
Shenyang | 1662–1907 | Area of control of the General of Shengjing. Became Fengtian Province in 1907. | ||
Shenyang | 1907–1931 | Fengtian Province from 1907 to 1929; Liaoning Province from 1929 onwards. | ||
N/A | 1931–1945 | Part ofManchukuo. | ||
Shenyang | 1945–1949 | As Liaoning Province (central part of modern Liaoning) | ||
Tonghua | As Andong Province (eastern part of modern Liaoning; southern part of modern Jilin) | |||
Liaoyuan | As Liaobei Province (northern part of modern Liaoning; western part of modern Jilin) | |||
Jinzhou | 1949–1954 | As Liaoxi Province (western part of modern Liaoning) | ||
Dandong | As Liaodong Province (eastern part of modern Liaoning; southern part of modern Jilin). Dandong was then known as "Andong" | |||
Shenyang | 1954–present | |||
Ningxia | Mostly part of Gansu Province (up to c. 1370); part of Shaanxi Province (up to 1667); part of Gansu Province (1667 onwards) | |||
Yinchuan | 1928–1954 | Ningxia Province split out of Gansu in 1928. | ||
N/A | 1954–1958 | Part ofGansuProvince. | ||
Yinchuan | 1958–present | Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region split out of Gansu in 1958. | ||
Qinghai | HistoricallyOyiradMongols in the north,AmdoandKhamTibetans in the south. Overseen by commissioner stationed atXining(then part ofGansuProvince) duringQing dynasty,earlyRepublic of China(up to 1928).See History section ofQinghai. | |||
Xining | 1928–present | |||
Shaanxi | Xi'an | 1286–present | From 1260 to 1286, Shaanxi Province (and in some cases, a combined Shaanxi-Sichuan Province) was established and disbanded several times. Included modern Gansu and Ningxia until 1667. | |
Shandong | Administered by the Secretariat (Trung Thư Tỉnh) of the central government before c. 1357. | |||
Qingzhou | 1357?–1377? | |||
Jinan | 1377–present | |||
Shanxi | Administered by the Secretariat (Trung Thư Tỉnh) of the central government before 1368. | |||
Taiyuan | 1369–present | |||
Sichuan | Chengdu | 1286–1287 | From 1260 to 1286, Sichuan Province (and in some cases, a combined Shaanxi-Sichuan Province) was established and disbanded several times. | |
Chongqing | 1287–1289 | |||
Chengdu | 1289–1646 | |||
Langzhong | 1646–1665 | |||
Chengdu | 1665–1949 | |||
Nanchong(north) | 1949–1952 | As North Sichuan, South Sichuan, East Sichuan and West Sichuan administrative regions. | ||
Luzhou(south) | ||||
Chongqing(east) | ||||
Chengdu(west) | ||||
Chengdu | 1952–present | |||
Taiwan | Formosan people lived in the area before 1624; European colonization from 1624 to 1661;Kingdom of Tungningfrom 1661 to 1683. SeeHistory of Taiwan. | |||
N/A | 1683–1887 | Part ofFu gianProvince. | ||
Taiwan-fu | 1887–1894 | Planned, around today'sTaichung | ||
Taipei | 1887–1895 1945–1956 |
De factountil 1894; official after 1894 | ||
Zhong xing New Village | 1956–2018 | InNantou City | ||
— | 2018–present | Taiwan Provincial Governmentdefunct | ||
Tibet | Part ofYuan dynastyup to fourteenth century; struggle between Sakyapa, Kagyüpa, later Gelukpa schools of Tibetan Buddhism up to seventeenth century, whenGelukpabecame dominant. | |||
Lhasa | (1720s)–present | TheDalai Lamas(Gelukpa school) ruled overÜ-Tsang(or more) from Lhasa from 1642 onwards. Qing China began to assert control over Tibet in the 1720s until its fall in 1912; from 1912 to 1951, Tibet was self-ruling but was recognized internationally as a part of China. Planning Committee forTibet Autonomous Region(TAR) from 1955 to 1965; TAR established in 1965. | ||
Xin gian g | Ruled byChagatai Khanatefrom thirteenth to fifteenth century; fragmented until eighteenth century when Qing China conquered the region. See History section ofXin gian g. | |||
Yining | 1762–1888 | General of Ili, based in Yining, held administrative powers until 1888; central control lapsed duringYakub Beg's revolt from 1865, until his forces were defeated in 1881. | ||
Ürümqi | 1884–present | Xin gian g Province until 1955; Xin gian g Uyghur Autonomous Region from 1955. | ||
Taipei | 1949–1992 | After the ROC relocated to Taiwan. Government abolished in 1992. | ||
Yunnan | Kunming | 1275–present | Included parts of morden Sichuan and Guizhou until Ming dynasty. | |
Zhe gian g | N/A | 1289–1367 | Part ofJiangzhe Province. | |
Hangzhou | 1367–present | |||
Chahar | SeeInner Mongoliafor history before 1914. | |||
Zhangjiakou | 1914–1937 | Chahar Special Administrative Region until 1928; province from 1928. | ||
N/A | 1937–1945 | Part ofMeng gian g. | ||
Zhangjiakou | 1945–1952 | Disbanded in 1952, distributed into Hebei Province, Shanxi Province. | ||
Huainan gian gbei | Tianchang | 1354–1364? | Established out of Henan gian gbei; disappeared with end of Yuan dynasty (c. 1368). Found mainly in modern Jiangsu province. | |
Huguang | Changsha | 1277–1281 | ||
Wuchang | 1281–1664 | Included modern Guangxi, Hainan, and parts modern Guangdong until 1364, included parts of modern Guizhou until 1413. Split into Hubei and Hunan provinces in 1664 | ||
Jiangnan | Nanjing | 1645–1661 | Converted from the directly administered Nanzhili region in 1645; split into Jiangsu and Anhui provinces in 1661. See also remarks at Jiangsu and Anhui entries. | |
Jiangzhe | Hangzhou | 1289–1367? | A province was established in the region in 1276; its seat was moved around and it was renamed several times, until settling upon Jiangzhe Province with seat at Hangzhou in 1289. Split into Zhe gian g and Fu gian Provinces by Ming dynasty. | |
Jiaodong | Laiyang | 1364–1368? | Established in theShandong Peninsula;does not appear to have outlasted the end of the Yuan dynasty. | |
Liaoyang | Liaoyang | 1264–1368? | "Liaoyang" was the final name of the province after several changes between 1264 and 1287. Lasted until the end of Yuan dynasty (c. 1368); found today mostly inLiaoning,Jilin,Heilong gian g. | |
Pingyuan | Xinxiang | 1949–1952 | Split out of Hebei, Shandong, and Henan provinces in 1949; distributed into Henan and Shandong provinces in 1952. | |
Rehe | SeeInner Mongoliafor history before 1914. | |||
Chengde | 1914–1933 | Rehe Special Administrative Region until 1928; province from 1928. | ||
N/A | 1933–1945 | Part ofManchukuo. | ||
Chengde | 1945–1955 | Disbanded in 1955, different parts were merged into Hebei Province, Liaoning Province, and Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. | ||
Suiyuan | SeeInner Mongoliafor history before 1914. | |||
Hohhot | 1914–1937 | Suiyuan Special Administrative Region until 1928; province from 1928. | ||
N/A | 1937–1945 | Part ofMeng gian g. | ||
Hohhot | 1945–1954 | Merged into Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region in 1954. | ||
Xikang | Kangding | 1914–1950 | Chuanbian Special Region created in 1914, from western Sichuan and territory formerly ruled from Lhasa; it is roughly equivalent to southernKhamand southernAmdo.Converted into Xikang Province (established in 1939); merged into Sichuan province in 1955. See also remarks at entries for Tibet and Sichuan. | |
Ya'an | 1950–1955 | |||
Xing'an | Hailar | 1945–1947? | After the end ofManchukuoat the end of World War II, Xing'an Province was created from the northwestern part of Manchuria, which was administered by Heilong gian g province before the war. The region was superseded byInner MongoliaAutonomous Region. | |
Zhili;Beizhili;Nanzhili | Regions directly administered by the central government, not part of any province. "Zhili" (modern Jiangsu and Anhui) from 1366 to 1421; "Beizhili" (modern Hebei) and "Nanzhili" (modern Jiangsu, Anhui) from 1421 to 1645; "Zhili" (modern Hebei) from 1645 to 1669. Name kept for "Zhili Province" (modern Hebei) from 1669 to 1927. See also remarks at Hebei, Jiangsu, and Anhui entries. |