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Glite Dictionary
Changan

Changan

1 9.4
An old city in central China that served as the capital of ancient dynasties
  • proper noun
: Changan
  • Changan Avenue

Examples

  • Even once densely populated centers, such as the Han city of Changan near X'ian, remain little excavated.

    Academic text (2006)

  • Changan was once the capital of several ancient Chinese dynasties, particularly during the period of Changan 221–206 BC.

  • Historically, Changan served as a vital hub of culture and trade in ancient China.

  • The ruins of Changan reveal the city's significance in Chinese history as a former capital.

Synonyms

Xi'an
vsChangan
2 6.4

A large city in central China with famous ancient history

is the same city but named by its ancient form rather than spelling
Xian
vsChangan
1 6.9

A city in central China once capital of several ancient dynasties and home to the Terracotta Army

is the same city but differs by modern punctuation in spelling
Sian
vsChangan
  • Archaic
1 8.7

An old English spelling of Xi'an, the city in central China

is the same city but recorded under a traditional local name
Hsian
vsChangan
  • Archaic
9.9

A city in central China now called Xi'an that was an ancient capital

is the same place but the main form uses different Romanization

Surface Forms

Changan main

Etymology

Changan comes from the Chinese parts chang and an, which mean 'long' and 'peace'. The name was given to the city as a wish for 'long peace', so Changan is remembered as an ancient capital where rulers hoped for lasting calm.