As the captivating drama The Longest Day in Chang’an nears its finale, many viewers are transported back over a thousand years to experience the grandeur of the Tang Dynasty. Today, let’s step into the heart of ancient Chang’an, not through the lens of a camera but by diving into the fascinating street layout of the city. Buckle up, as we take a lively stroll through history!

Chang’an’s Streets: A Strategic Urban Masterpiece

The famous poet Bai Juyi once poetically described Chang’an’s streets as “a thousand homes arranged like a game of Go, twelve streets as neat as vegetable plots.” This poetic imagery captures the unique street design of the Tang capital in just fourteen characters.

To get a clearer picture, let’s break it down with a map. Imagine you’re standing at the majestic Zhuque Gate, the entrance to the imperial city. From here, a wide avenue known as Zhuque Street (also called Tian Street) stretches south towards the Mingde Gate. This was the primary street that divided Chang’an into two districts: Mannian and Chang’an. The street was 150 meters wide at its northern end, expanding slightly to 155 meters as it reached the southern part of the city.

The Heart of the City: The Central Axis

Chang’an’s layout was a true embodiment of imperial power. The city’s central axis ran from the north to the south, stretching all the way from the Palace to the Mingde Gate, underscoring its political and symbolic importance. The emperors would often travel south to the Huancheng to perform sacrifices to Heaven, and the narrow streets couldn’t accommodate the massive ceremonial processions. Hence, expanding the streets became a necessity.

The Twelve Streets: A Network of Power and Prestige

The term “Twelve Streets” refers to the main north-south and east-west streets of the imperial city. Of the twelve, five ran north-south, and seven ran east-west. This grid-like structure was designed to house important governmental and religious institutions, creating a balanced flow of life between the imperial palace and the public.

For example, Chengtian Gate Street marked the eastern boundary of the city, and was flanked by various imperial offices and storerooms, giving the street an air of importance. Meanwhile, the Xiangguo Office and Zuo Cang External Treasury were located near the third and sixth horizontal streets, linking imperial administration with the street’s daily hustle and bustle.

The Streets’ Role in Urban Functionality

As you wander through the streets, you’ll notice several smaller avenues and alleyways that played critical roles in connecting the different parts of the city. These pathways weren’t just for pedestrians; they facilitated trade, cultural exchange, and governance. The intersections of these streets were bustling hubs, where the sounds of street vendors, artisans, and entertainers blended with the rhythm of everyday life.

In addition, the streets were lined with walls, creating a sense of enclosure and safety. The “Hutong” (narrow alleys) played a similar role, offering quiet passages for residents while also acting as gateways to richer, more ornate districts.

The Grand Street Designs and Their Beauty

Chang’an’s streets were designed to be visually striking. At the heart of the grand avenues, lush trees, such as locust trees along Zhuque Street, created a sense of symmetry. This greenery not only provided shade but also became part of the city’s identity—something that still captures the imagination of the modern world.

In the middle of these grand streets ran royal canals—narrow water channels designed to manage the flow of water, keeping the city fresh and vibrant. These were sometimes called “Yanggou” or “Yang Canal,” named for the willows that lined their edges. Poets, like Zhang Ji, even wrote about the sand embankments laid along the streets to control dust, ensuring that the streets were pristine even in the summer heat.

Festivals and Public Life in Chang’an

Perhaps the most exciting part of living in Chang’an during the Tang Dynasty was the Lantern Festival, which brought the city to life with vibrant parades, street performances, and markets. The Qinzheng Building and Huayue Tower, located in the south of the city, were particularly notable venues for these grand public events. This was where the emperor would entertain dignitaries and commoners alike, and where the grand processions of horses, elephants, and dancers were on full display. People from all over the empire—Persians, Turks, Koreans—gathered here to witness the splendor of the Tang dynasty.

The Legacy of Chang’an

Chang’an was more than just a city; it was a testament to the empire’s power, cultural richness, and social vitality. Its streets—lined with government buildings, merchant hubs, and residential districts—were designed to facilitate the city’s complex functions while also creating a place where art, culture, and commerce could thrive.

When you watch The Longest Day in Chang’an, it’s easy to get swept up in the drama and intrigue, but if you look closely at the streets and the spaces between the buildings, you’ll see a city that was as much about life as it was about politics and power. From the grand processions to the humble merchants peddling their goods, Chang’an’s streets were the lifeblood of one of history’s most glorious empires.

So, the next time you watch an episode, imagine yourself walking those streets—between the markets, under the grand locust trees, and through the bustling avenues where the fate of the empire unfolded, one step at a time.