Haojing

Haojing, often referred to as Hao, is the ancient western capital of the Zhou dynasty located in present-day Shaanxi province; it served as a principal political and ritual centre in early Chinese history until the late 8th century BCE.

Established as the capital of the Western Zhou dynasty in the early 1st millennium BCE, Haojing remained the dynasty’s political centre until its sack and the dynasty’s eastward move in 771 BCE. Subsequent archaeological work has identified palace foundations, administrative areas and defensive works linked to Zhou rulership.

The site lies in Shaanxi province near modern Xi’an, within the historical plain that hosted successive ancient Chinese capitals and archaeological landscapes associated with early imperial history.

• Western Zhou capital: Served as the political centre of the Western Zhou dynasty until the capital's fall in 771 BCE, making it a key site for early Chinese historical archaeology.

What to See #

• Fenghao archaeological complex: Remains of the ancient western Zhou capital complex and archaeological layers associated with the city-state of Fenghao, revealing palace and administrative precincts.
• Haojing city ruins: Ruined city walls and urban layout traces that mark the location of the Zhou dynasty capital known historically as Haojing or Hao.