Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v2.c13.s3.t1.11

v2.c13.s3.t1.11

Tang Chang’an consisted of an outer city, an imperial city and a palace complex. Chang’an was the most perfect form of a capital city under ancient China’s “li” and “fang” (living area and commercial area) system. It had an axial symmetrical layout, strict specifications and orderly neighbourhoods. It had a royal city as the administrative headquarters and closed “li” and “fang” areas for the administration of the common people. The layout of Chang’an had a significant impact on the capitals of some countries in East Asia.