Why did ancient emperors like to have their capital in Chang'an?

So why did Chang'an become the ancient capital of thirteen dynasties? Why did emperors of all dynasties want to make Chang'an their capital? There are three reasons for this, strategic, economic and natural danger. Chang'an is today's Xi'an. Chang'an was the ancient capital of thirteen dynasties, ranking first among the four ancient capitals in China. It was the first real city in history. During the Sui and Tang Dynasties, Chang'an was the largest city in the world. According to historical records, as early as the Zhou Dynasty, the capital was established in Chang'an during the period of King Wen of Zhou Dynasty, and Chang'an became the capital. In the following years, Chang'an became the capital of thirteen dynasties. It was the capital with the most dynasties, the longest time, and the greatest influence in Chinese history.

Three reasons. First, Chang'an has natural dangers to defend. Chang'an is bordered by the Wei River to the north and the Qinling Mountains to the south. These natural barriers can place Chang'an in a safe zone. Moreover, Chang'an is surrounded by Tongguan in the east, Wuguan in the south, Dashanguan in the west, and Xiaoguan in the north. Each of these four passes is easy to defend but difficult to attack. One man can guard the pass and ten thousand people cannot open it. Therefore, the capital of the dynasty is Chang'an, which is safe. Questions are guaranteed.

Second, economic center. After the Tang Dynasty, no dynasty had its capital in Chang'an. This is because China's economic center has moved south, and the economic development of the south has gradually surpassed that of the north. Before the Sui and Tang Dynasties, China's economic center was still in the north, and the economy of the north was far away. Far higher than the south, Chang'an is also the most active area in the northern economic center. Moreover, Chang'an is also the starting point of the Silk Road and the center of China's external exchanges.

Third, strategy. Throughout the history of Chinese dynasties, the threat from the northern nomads, such as the Huns and Turks, was given top priority. Therefore, Chang'an was established as the capital. The country's supplies could be gathered in the direction of Chang'an, and Chang'an was used as a barrier to resist barbarian invasions and ensure the inland The region was not threatened by the Xiongnu, ensuring the economic development of the inland areas in the southwest. For the dynasties that abandoned Chang'an as their capital, the threat from the northern nomads was much greater than for the dynasties that established their capital in Chang'an. Because the capital moved inland, the economy of the northwest region gradually declined, and the rulers also lacked sufficient attention to the northwest region. The northwest region was repeatedly attacked by the Huns, and they succeeded every time.