Luoyang
Ancient capital on the Luo River, cradle of Chinese civilization.
Luoyang is a prefecture-level city in western Henan province, China, located where the Luo River meets the Yellow River. It borders several other cities, including the provincial capital Zhengzhou to the east, and is divided into seven municipal districts, seven counties, and one development zone as of 2022. That year, its permanent population was approximately 7.079 million, while at the end of 2018 the built-up metro area—comprising five of its six urban districts plus Yanshi District—held about 2.75 million people. The city’s name derives from its position on the sunny, northern bank of the Luo River; over centuries it has been known by various names, including Luoyi, Luozhou, Dongdu during the Tang dynasty, Xijing during the Song dynasty, and Shendu under the rule of Empress Wu Zetian. It was also called Henanfu before reverting to Luoyang in 1912.
As one of China’s oldest continuously inhabited cities, Luoyang is considered a cradle of Chinese civilization and the earliest of the Four Great Ancient Capitals. Its classical history began in 1036 BC when the Duke of Zhou built a settlement called Chengzhou for captured Shang nobility, later moving the Nine Tripod Cauldrons there from Haojing. A second Western Zhou capital, Wangcheng, was constructed to the west and became the Eastern Zhou capital in 771 BC. During the Han dynasty, Luoyang was declared the Eastern Han capital in AD 25, with walls forming a rectangle and two major palaces connected by a covered way. The Imperial University was restored, and in AD 166 a Roman mission reached the city. The late 2nd century saw civil war and the burning of Luoyang in AD 189. After further destruction by Chancellor Dong Zhuo in AD 190, the city was restored as capital under the Wei and Jin dynasties, at one point housing 600,000 people and ranking among the world’s largest cities. It suffered repeated attacks in the 4th century, including a devastating sack in AD 311. Under the Northern Wei dynasty, Emperor Xiaowen moved the capital there in AD 493 as part of his sinicization campaign.
- known_for
- One of the Four Great Ancient Capitals of China
Lore & Background
Luoyang's name derives from its location on the north (sunny) side of the Luo River. Historically it has been known as Luoyi, Luozhou, Dongdu (Eastern Capital) during the Tang dynasty, Xijing (Western Capital) during the Song dynasty, and Jingluo. Under Empress Wu Zetian, the only female emperor in Chinese history, it was called Shendu (Divine Capital). The Eastern Han capital was built over Chengzhou in 25 AD. During the Sui dynasty, Emperor Yang rebuilt Luoyang on the existing site. In the Tang dynasty it was the Eastern Capital, with a population around one million. Empress Wu moved her Zhou dynasty capital there and built the tallest palace in Chinese history. The city was damaged during the An Lushan Rebellion. Tang dynasty epitaphs reveal Nestorian Christian communities, including a Sogdian woman, Lady An, and her Han Chinese husband Hua Xian.
Reader's Guide
Luoyang's significance lies in its role as one of China's earliest and most enduring capitals, serving multiple dynasties over nearly two millennia. As the earliest of the Four Great Ancient Capitals, it was a political, cultural, and religious center. The city's layout and monuments—such as the Longmen Grottoes, Yongning Temple, and the Shaolin Temple—reflect the artistic and spiritual achievements of successive Chinese empires. The city's repeated destructions and rebuildings illustrate the cyclical nature of Chinese imperial history. Today, Luoyang remains a major prefecture-level city with over 7 million inhabitants, preserving its ancient heritage while functioning as a modern urban center.
Did You Know?
- Luoyang's name means 'north (sunny) side of the Luo River.'
- Tang dynasty epitaphs in Luoyang document Nestorian Christian families, including a Sogdian woman married to a Han Chinese man.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Luoyang and where is it located?
Luoyang is a prefecture-level city in the western part of Henan province, China. It sits right where the Luo River meets the Yellow River, a geographic crossroads that helped it grow into one of the country's oldest settlements.
Why is Luoyang considered one of the Four Great Ancient Capitals?
It earned that title because multiple dynasties used it as a seat of power over thousands of years, making it a foundational political and cultural center in Chinese history. Its long uninterrupted role as a capital places it in the same tier as Beijing, Xi'an, and Nanjing.
What role does Luoyang play in the broader story of Chinese civilization?
Luoyang is widely regarded as a cradle of Chinese civilization, having hosted early dynastic courts, philosophical traditions, and trade networks that shaped the culture for millennia. Its position at the Luo–Yellow River confluence made it a natural hub for both governance and commerce.
How old is Luoyang compared to other major Chinese cities?
Luoyang ranks among the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the country, with evidence of settlement stretching back several thousand years. That deep timeline is a major reason it is grouped with the other three ancient capitals in historical rankings.
What rivers define Luoyang's geography?
The city is built at the confluence of the Luo River and the Yellow River, which is where it gets its name. This dual-river setting has influenced its agriculture, trade routes, and strategic importance since antiquity.
More in Cities Starting With L 1-24
Spotted an error? Know more?
This is a living reference — every entry is fact-audited, and reader corrections feed straight into our audit queue. Suggest an edit · See this site's audit record