History of Asia

Was changan the largest city at its time?

Chang'an (present-day Xi'an) was one of the largest cities in the world during different periods of history. In the 8th century, Tang dynasty Chang'an is widely considered to have been the most populous city in the world, reaching roughly one million in population during the reign of Emperor Xuanzong.

However, there is some debate regarding whether it reached a true metropolis status according to contemporary understandings of a metropolis due to a large proportion of the Chang'an population having been stationed soldiers. Nonetheless, it was certainly one of the largest commercial and political centers globally throughout much of the Tang.