Nanjing: Capital of Six Dynasties

A historical and cultural treasure, Nanjing served as the capital of six dynasties over a span of more than 500 years.

Perched gracefully along the banks of the Yangtze River, Nanjing is a city steeped in profound historical and cultural heritage, earning its renowned title as the "Capital of Six Dynasties." This illustrious epithet refers to the six southern regimes - Eastern Wu, Eastern Jin, Liu Song, Southern Qi, Liang and Chen - that chose Nanjing as their capital from the era of the Three Kingdoms to the reunification of China under the Sui Dynasty. Together, these dynasties endowed Nanjing with unmatched historical significance.

During the Six Dynasties period, Nanjing flourished not only as a political hub but also as a vibrant centre of culture and economy. Once one of the world’s earliest cities to surpass a population of one million, Nanjing stood shoulder to shoulder with Ancient Rome as a pinnacle of classical civilisation. Over centuries of rise and fall, this city bore witness to turbulent power struggles and served as a sanctuary for poets and scholars. The Southern Dynasties poet Xie Tiao immortalised Nanjing's grandeur with the verse: "In the enchanting land of Jiangnan, Jinling is the imperial domain." His words encapsulate the city’s beauty and majesty.

Nanjing’s significance extends beyond political power; it has been a cradle of Chinese culture throughout its storied history. The civilisation of the Six Dynasties served as a bridge between the Han and Tang dynasties, leaving a lasting legacy in philosophy, art, and religion. This period birthed unique literary and architectural innovations, with Nanjing landmarks such as the Ming City Wall, Shitou City (Stone City), and Jiming Temple standing as enduring testaments to its brilliance. Renowned writer Zhu Ziqing once remarked that even the common folk of Nanjing carry the “misty and watery charm of the Six Dynasties,” capturing the city’s distinctive cultural aura.

Beyond its cultural significance, Nanjing also played a vital role as a bastion of Han Chinese culture and a beacon of national revival. During times when the Central Plains fell to foreign invaders, Nanjing’s strategic geography allowed it to emerge as a stronghold for the resurgence of Han Chinese identity and resilience. This historical role imbued the city with profound emotional resonance and a unique place in the nation’s collective memory as a symbol of renewal and strength.

Today, the glory of Nanjing’s Six Dynasties era endures through numerous cultural relics and museums. Among them, the Six Dynasties Museum stands as a crown jewel, preserving and showcasing the cultural heritage spanning the period from Eastern Wu to the Chen Dynasty. Housing over 1,200 artefacts, the museum narrates the evolution and brilliance of Six Dynasties Nanjing, offering visitors a glimpse into the splendour of this Eastern metropolis.

Nanjing, this ancient city of millennia, has distilled the essence of countless cultural and historical treasures through the rise and fall of the Six Dynasties. As both a witness to history and a guardian of Chinese civilisation, Nanjing remains steadfast along the banks of the Yangtze River, exuding a timeless elegance and enduring charm.