Capital of the Qin Dynasty (221-206BC)
Location: Xianyang, Shaanxi Province
Period: 3rd century BC
Excavated in 1959

Significance: It has supplied important material objects to the study of the history and culture of the Qin Dynasty, as well as the capital city itself.

Introduction

Tile-end: piece of building (up, diameter 16 cm); Mural of four horses: (bottom)
Xianyang City with an area of about 48 square kilometers lies in the Central Plain of Shaanxi, 25 kilometers to the southeast of Xi'an City, and sits against the Jiushan Mountain to its north, the Yellow River to its east, and the Weihe River to its west. E'fang Palace for the first Emperor Qinshihuang is located to the south of the Weihe River.

Xianyang served as an important political and military center in the Qin Dynasty. The first feudal emperor, Qinshihuang, commanded his strongest military forces to make the famous eastern expedition, then annexed and united the six kingdoms and established the first united feudal dynasty, which made Xianyang a famous historical cultural city.

The remains of the Imperial Palace, the Lanchi Palace and Six-Kingdom Palace have been excavated up till now. Archaeologists have discovered complete drainage, warming system and storage facilities in the palace ruins, as well as a large number of bronze wares and coins.