Former capitals of Chinese provinces

Short description: None

This is a list of the current and former capitals of the country subdivisions of China. The history of China and its administrative divisions is long and convoluted; hence, this chart will cover only capitals after the completion of the Mongol conquest of China in 1279, because the modern province (shěng 省) was first created during the Mongol Yuan dynasty. A selection of country subdivisions and their capitals before 1279 can be found in the article History of the political divisions of China. 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 units that have been used over the course of China's recent history, such as autonomous regions, military command zones during the Qing dynasty, and so forth. Unless otherwise specified, a given administrative unit can be assumed to be a province with 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 China and special administrative regions;
* subnational entities of short-lived regimes, such as the Heavenly Kingdom of Taiping, the Chinese Soviet Republic, Manchukuo, Mengjiang, 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 gives only the modern names for 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 | 1616–1912 | 1912–1949 | 1949–present

|
|
|
|
|

Government  | Yuan dynasty | Ming dynasty | Qing dynasty | Republic of China (on Mainland China) | People's Republic of China (on Mainland China)
Republic of China (on Taiwan Island)

List of capitals:

Province (or equivalent) | Capital | When | Remarks

|
|
|

Anhui | During the Yuan dynasty, modern Anhui was split between the Secretariat (中書省) of the central government, the province of Jianghuai, and (from 1291) the province of Henanjiangbei.
N/A | 1366–1644 | As part of Zhili up to 1421; as part of Nanzhili after 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 neighbouring Jiangsu province.
Anqing | 1760–1853
Hefei | 1853–1862 | During the Taiping Rebellion.
Anqing | 1862–1946
Hefei | 1946–1949
Hefei (north) | 1949–1952 | As North Anhui and South Anhui administrative regions.
Wuhu (south)
Hefei | 1952–present
Fujian | Fuzhou, Quanzhou | 1278–1299 | Between 1278 and 1299, separate provinces in the Fujian area were repeatedly split out and remerged back into Jiangzhe Province.
N/A | 1299–1356 | Part of Jiangzhe Province until Fujian Province was split out of it.
Fuzhou | 1356–1938 |
Yong'an | 1938–1945 | During the Second Sino-Japanese War
Fuzhou | 1945–present | In 1949, the China created the "Fujian Provincial People's Government". The ROC's "Fujian Provincial Government" moved to Kinmen.
Kinmen (ROC) | 1949–1956 | After the ROC's relocation to Taiwan.
Hsintien (ROC) | 1956–1996 | In Taiwan Province, ROC enforced military governance in Kinmen and Matsu
Kinmen (ROC) | 1996–2018 | Demilitarized
N/A (ROC) | 2019–present | Fujian Provincial Government defunct
Gansu | Zhangye | 1286–1368
N/A | 1368–1667 | Part of Shaanxi Province.
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 within Huguang Province before 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 of Guangdong Province.
Haikou | 1988–present |
Hebei | Administered by the Secretariat (中書省) 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 | As Beizhili up to 1645; as Zhili after 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
Heilongjiang | N/A | 1264–1368 | Part of Liaoyang 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 Heilongjiang. Became Heilongjiang Province in 1907.
Nenjiang | 1690–1699
Qiqihar | 1699–1907
Qiqihar | 1907–1931
N/A | 1931–1945 | Part of Manchukuo.
Bei'an | 1945–1949 | As Heilongjiang Province (northwestern part of modern Heilongjiang)
Jiamusi | As Hejiang Province (northeastern part of modern Heilongjiang)
Qiqihar | As Nenjiang Province (southwestern part of modern Heilongjiang)
Mudanjiang | As Songjiang Province (southeastern part of modern Heilongjiang)
Qiqihar | 1949–1954 | As Heilongjiang Province (western part of modern Heilongjiang)
Harbin | As Songjiang Province (eastern part of modern Heilongjiang)
Harbin | 1954–present | New Heilongjiang formed from Songjiang + old Heilongjiang in 1954
Henan | Administered by the Secretariat (中書省) of the central government for the most part before 1291.
Kaifeng | 1291–1954 | Initially as Henanjiangbei 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) Henanjiangbei, and Sichuan.
N/A | 1277–1664 | Part of Huguang Province.
Wuchang | 1664–1927
Wuhan | 1927–present | Wuhan is the amalgamation of Wuchang, Hankou, and Hanyang.
Hunan | N/A | 1277–1664 | Part of Huguang Province.
Changsha | 1664–present
Inner Mongolia | See the history section of Inner Mongolia for 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 (中書省) of the central government, the province of Jianghuai (from 1289), Jiangzhe (from 1291), the province of Henanjiangbei, and (from 1354) the province of Huainanjiangbei.
N/A | 1366–1644 | As part of Zhili up to 1421; as part of Nanzhili after 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
Zhenjiang | 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 Government defunct
Jilin | N/A | 1264–1368 | Part of Liaoyang 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 of Manchukuo.
Jilin City | 1945–1954
Changchun | 1954–present
Liaoning | N/A | 1264–1368 | Part of Liaoyang 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 of Manchukuo.
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 of Gansu Province.
Yinchuan | 1958–present | Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region split out of Gansu in 1958.
Qinghai | Historically Oyirad Mongols in the north, Amdo and Kham Tibetans in the south. Overseen by commissioner stationed at Xining (then part of Gansu Province) during Qing dynasty, early Republic of China (up to 1928).See History section of Qinghai.
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 (中書省) of the central government before c. 1357.
Qingzhou | 1357?–1377?
Jinan | 1377–present
Shanxi | Administered by the Secretariat (中書省) 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 Tungning from 1661 to 1683. See History of Taiwan.
N/A | 1683–1887 | Part of Fujian Province.
Taiwan-fu | 1887–1894 | Planned, around today's Taichung
Taipei | 1887–1895
1945–1956 | De facto until 1894; official after 1894
Zhongxing New Village | 1956–2018 | In Nantou City
N/A | 2018–present | Taiwan Provincial Government defunct
Tibet | Part of Yuan dynasty up to fourteenth century; struggle between Sakyapa, Kagyüpa, later Gelukpa schools of Tibetan Buddhism up to seventeenth century, when Gelukpa became dominant.
Lhasa | (1720s)–present | The Dalai Lamas (Gelukpa school) ruled over Ü-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 for Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) from 1955 to 1965; TAR established in 1965.
Xinjiang | Ruled by Chagatai Khanate from thirteenth to fifteenth century; fragmented until eighteenth century when Qing China conquered the region. See History section of Xinjiang.
Yining | 1762–1888 | General of Ili, based in Yining, held administrative powers until 1888; central control lapsed during Yakub Beg's revolt from 1865, until his forces were defeated in 1881.
Ürümqi | 1884–present | Xinjiang Province until 1955; Xinjiang 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.
Zhejiang | N/A | 1289–1367 | Part of Jiangzhe Province.
Hangzhou | 1367–present |
Chahar | See Inner Mongolia for history before 1914.
Zhangjiakou | 1914–1937 | Chahar Special Administrative Region until 1928; province from 1928.
N/A | 1937–1945 | Part of Mengjiang.
Zhangjiakou | 1945–1952 | Disbanded in 1952, distributed into Hebei Province, Shanxi Province.
Huainanjiangbei | Tianchang | 1354–1364? | Established out of Henanjiangbei; 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 Zhejiang and Fujian Provinces by Ming dynasty.
Jiaodong | Laiyang | 1364–1368? | Established in the Shandong 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 in Liaoning, Jilin, Heilongjiang.
Pingyuan | Xinxiang | 1949–1952 | Split out of Hebei, Shandong, and Henan provinces in 1949; distributed into Henan and Shandong provinces in 1952.
Rehe | See Inner Mongolia for history before 1914.
Chengde | 1914–1933 | Rehe Special Administrative Region until 1928; province from 1928.
N/A | 1933–1945 | Part of Manchukuo.
Chengde | 1945–1955 | Disbanded in 1955, different parts were merged into Hebei Province, Liaoning Province, and Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region.
Suiyuan | See Inner Mongolia for history before 1914.
Hohhot | 1914–1937 | Suiyuan Special Administrative Region until 1928; province from 1928.
N/A | 1937–1945 | Part of Mengjiang.
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 southern Kham and southern Amdo. 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 of Manchukuo at the end of World War II, Xing'an Province was created from the northwestern part of Manchuria, which was administered by Heilongjiang province before the war. The region was superseded by Inner Mongolia Autonomous 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.

## See also

* Historical capitals of China
* List of capitals in China
* The Historical Atlas of China

0.00

(0 votes)

|

Retrieved from "https://handwiki.org/wiki/index.php?title=Place:Former_capitals_of_Chinese_provinces&oldid=4268389"