Map Introduction

The central region of the Western Zhou Dynasty (1046 BCE – 771 BCE) transitioned from Haojing to Luoyi, reflecting changes in the political landscape.

Haojing Period
After King Wu of Zhou overthrew the Shang Dynasty, he established the capital at Haojing (present-day Xi'an, Shaanxi), which served as the political center in the early Western Zhou period. During the regency of the Duke of Zhou, royal authority was consolidated through the suppression of the "Rebellion of the Three Guards" and the establishment of rites and music, creating an order where "warfare and rituals were decreed by the Son of Heaven."

Luoyi Period
During the reign of King Cheng of Zhou, the capital was moved to Luoyi (present-day Luoyang, Henan), symbolizing the concept of "dwelling in this Central State." This move strengthened the Zhou Dynasty's control over the Central Plains, making Luoyi the de facto political center, while Haojing gradually evolved into a royal hunting ground.

Relocation to Quanqiu
During the reign of King Yi of Zhou, due to invasions by the Xirong tribes, the capital was forcibly moved to Quanqiu (present-day Dongmafang Village, Xi'an), marking a shift in the strategic focus of the Western Zhou regime in response to external threats.

Expansion of the Core Region
The sphere of influence of the Western Zhou once covered areas of present-day Liaoning, Gansu, and Shandong. However, the core region consistently centered around Haojing and Luoyi, with control over remote areas maintained through the system of enfeeffment.

Related Maps * Western zhou dynasty huai yi