Liao Five Capitals System (1010s)

Timeline

1. 1011–1015Upper Capital Linhao · Inner MongoliaThe Upper Capital was the political and cultural center of the Khitan, the Central Capital a hub north of the frontier, the Southern Capital controlled the Yan-Yun Han Chinese lands, the Western Capital guarded Shanxi, and the Eastern Capital administered Liaodong. Each of the five capitals had a governor (liushou), an intendant (yin), and a governor's office, dividing military and civil affairs and forming the Liao Empire's multi-center governance network.
2. 1016–1020Southern Capital Xijin (Yanjing) · BeijingBeneath the five capitals were circuits, prefectures, departments, garrisons, and counties, governing Khitan, Bohai, and Han Chinese residents according to their customs. The Southern and Western Capitals were strongly sinicized, while the Upper Capital retained old Khitan customs. In the 1010s the five-capital system operated steadily and became the core institutional pillar supporting the Liao dynasty's vast territory.