Abstract:
The capital in ancient China was not only the centre of imperial political power but also the source of systems of ceremony and law. As a capital of grand size in Chinese history, the control system of Chang’an in the Tang Dynasty was strict and complete. It included varieties of sub-systems, such as a rigorous and detailed system of palace gate identities, a curfew system of prohibiting residents from moving about in the night time, and a complete system of opening and closing and servicing the city gates. The control system of city gates helped maintain security and stability in the capital and provided important guarantee for preserving social space and sequential operation of hierarchal order in the capital.
