Beneath a modern metropolis, an ancient capital emerges

Buried for centuries beneath the modern cityscape of Shijiazhuang, Hebei province, the grand capital of an ancient kingdom has been revealed to the world. Major archaeological findings at the Dongyuan Ancient City site have unveiled the well-preserved remains of a city from the Han Dynasty (206 BC-AD 220), offering an unprecedented glimpse into the urban life and political structure of a more than 2,000-year-old vassal state.

The findings were recently announced by the Hebei Provincial Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology in Shijiazhuang. The Dongyuan Ancient City, a national key cultural relic protection unit, is identified as the capital of Zhending, a major regional vassal state established during the illustrious Han Dynasty.

"For the first time, we have a clear picture of Zhending's capital," says Zhang Wenrui, head of the institute."This site is not just the only thoroughly surveyed and clearly laid-out administrative seat of a Han Dynasty vassal kingdom in Hebei, but also a rare, systematically excavated example of a Han Dynasty princely capital in northern China."

Located in the Chang'an district, the 2.76-square-kilometer ruins trace their origins to the Warring States Period (475-221 BC) as a key city of the Zhongshan state. The city reached its peak during the Han Dynasty when it served as Zhending's capital.

According to Zhang, the most important discovery in the past two years is the remains of the foundations of a massive palace complex, excavated in the central-northern part of the ancient city. Measuring 125 meters east-west and 23 meters north-south, the structure featured rammed-earth platforms, brick-paved floors, corridors and drainage systems, reflecting sophisticated urban planning.

"The exceptional preservation of these large-scale palace foundations and the orderly layout of the entire palace complex provide immense academic value for researching ancient Chinese urban planning, architecture and construction systems," Zhang says.

Archaeologists have identified major construction phases spanning from the mid-to-late Western Han (206 BC-AD 24) to the Wei (220-265) and Jin (265-420) dynasties. Structures from the early Eastern Han Dynasty (25-220), representing the city's zenith, are particularly well-preserved.

Excavated artifacts consist mainly of architectural components. Inscribed eave tiles bearing phrases like Zhending Changle (Zhending Eternal Joy) and Fuchang Changle (Wealth and Prosperity, Eternal Joy) provide evidence confirming the site as Zhending's capital.

Beyond the palace, surveys have mapped the city's overall structure, revealing a crisscrossing road network that divided the urban space into regions including residential areas, pottery workshops and metal-casting workshops. Two large cemeteries were also found outside the city walls.

"While historical texts mentioned the capital, its precise location was a mystery. Our work has now definitively confirmed it was here at Dongyuan," Zhang says.

The discovery fills a gap in Shijiazhuang's early urban development history, showcasing its role as a continuous regional center from the Warring States Period through to the Wei-Jin eras, says Wang Dong, head of the Shijiazhuang Municipal Institute of Cultural Relics Conservation.

"The splendid civilization of Dongyuan represents outstanding traditional Chinese culture created by our ancestors. It will significantly enhance cultural identity and pride among our citizens," Wang says.

The site also offers a unique perspective on China's urban evolution.

From the Sui (581-618) and Tang (618-907) dynasties onward, the regional center shifted north to the nearby ancient town of Zhengding, while Shijiazhuang emerged as a modern regional hub in the early 20th century. This pattern of urban relocation within a close geographical area mirrors the development of ancient capitals like Xi'an in Shaanxi province and Luoyang in Henan province.

A five-year plan (2026-30) will focus on further excavations of the palace area, exploring other functional districts of the city, and conducting multidisciplinary research involving environmental archaeology and animal and plant archaeology, Zhang says.

Efforts are underway to bring these historical treasures to the public. The findings are being integrated into the design of the Dongyuan Ancient City Archaeological Site Park which will feature artifact exhibitions, simulated archaeological experiences, and regular site open days.

"The protection, research and display of Dongyuan Ancient City will inject profound cultural depth into Shijiazhuang, and provide solid cultural support for building a beautiful Hebei," Zhang says.

Sun Ke and Pang Jingyi contributed to this story.