The six most ancient cities in China...what are they??

[Shadowdh]

Hi there all,

A comment was left on my blog about Nanjing being one of the six most ancient cities in China, and if this is the case what are the other 5?? I wouldnt mind knowing what they are and maybe visit them... a bit of a historical tour if you like... thanks for any help on this...

[skylee]

Take a look -> 中國 六大古都

They are (as mentioned in those websites) - 西安、洛陽、南京、北京、開封、杭州

Btw, I used 都 as Nanjing was a capital.

[gato]

I think it depends on what you mean by "city."

[Shadowdh]

Skylee many thanks for the info...

Gato... tbh I am not sure what they meant... perhaps 6 most ancient places where people live is a bit cumbersome to say

[rootfool]

The only word comes into my mind is 六朝金粉 when someone talks about nanjing.

六朝金粉地，金陵帝王州.

[gato]

Gato... tbh I am not sure what they meant... perhaps 6 most ancient places where people live is a bit cumbersome to say

I mean skylee listed six capital cities. But what about ancient cities that were not capitals?

[skylee]

I mean skylee listed six capital cities. But what about ancient cities that were not capitals?

I think when people talk about "Nanjing being one of the six most ancient cities in China" (as in the comments left in the OP's blog), they actually mean the six most ancient captials in China. I am not sure which are the most ancient cities that were not capitals in China.

rootfool, the first thing that came into my mind when I saw the OP's post was also 六朝金粉. But that is not what the OP asks about, sadly.

[gato]

Yeah, but then they wouldn't necessarily be the most ancient cities.

How about cities that were around before the Qin dynasty?

See these maps:

http://dig.yesky.com/23461.htm?d_id=23461

[Shadowdh]

Holy cow so much info, I like this guys... so what are the 六朝金粉 exactly and I like the maps Gato thanks, will give me something to look over and maybe plan some things... I appreciated all the info...

[rootfool]

六朝:nanjing was the capital of china in six dynasties.there are WU,JIN,SONG,QI,LIANG.CHEN.

金粉 is ancient woman's makeup,in here it's compared to city's flourish.

[Shadowdh]

Thanks Rootfool... so it would be like the most flourishing cities of the six dynasties. Or would that be prosperous... what made them so special if I can ask?

[Ian_Lee]

If you are talking about the most ancient cities, then the capitals of Xia and Shang dynasties should be mentioned.

But for merely ancient and worth mentioned cities, then Kaifeng should be the most outstanding city in China and even in the world at that time (11th century).

Kaifeng was the world's largest city in the 11th century (exceeding 1 million population). And it was probably the most financially and technologically advanced at that time. Legal tender paper money was in wide circulation and arch bridges were built (both didn't happen until many centuries afterwards in Europe).

[rootfool]

so it would be like the most flourishing cities of the six dynasties. Or would that be prosperous... what made them so special if I can ask?

sorry but I can't follow you.do you mean "why the six most ancient was so prosperous" or "why people choosed them as capital"?

[Shadowdh]

Rootfool, I guess both would be good to know...

[rootfool]

I tried it but finally I found that I can't explain them clearly.I haven't enough knowledge of history to represent them..:(.I'm sorry.

[Shadowdh]

没问题Rootfool, I will do a bit of research and ask my teacher to see if they know... cheers for your help...

[rootfool]

i'll be glad if you show your research to me after you finish it.