Ancient Capitals of China (Kaifeng)

Formerly named Bianiang, Kaifeng is one of the major seven ancient capitals in China. According to some research, there were human activities around Kaifeng area as early as the capital of a number of dynasties such as the Later Liang Dynasty, the Later Jin Dynasty，the Han Dynasty and the Later Zhou Dynasty. In 960 AD, the Northern Song Dynasty was founded and made Kaifeng its capital, then known as “Dongdu(Eastern Captial)”. During the Northern Song Dynasty, with a population of 1.5 million, Kaifeng was not only the economic, political and cultural hub of China, but also the greatest international metropolis, and hence the title “thoroughfare of the world”.