Located in central Shaanxi along the Wei River, the Guanzhong Plain was the heartland of the Zhou, Qin, Han, Sui, and Tang dynasties - the imperial capitals
长安 (Chang'an, modern Xi'an) and
咸阳 (Xianyang) sit on this plain. Its name "Within the Passes" (
关中) reflects its protected position between four strategic mountain passes.
