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Why was the ancient city of Ji important during the Warring States period?

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Map of eastern Asia highlighting China and its neighboring countries, with an arrow pointing to Beijing Municipality in northeastern China. The map includes international boundaries, disputed borders, and lines of control, and shows major surrounding countries such as Russia, Mongolia, India, Japan, North Korea, and South Korea. An inset at the bottom left shows the location of China within Asia. — Beijing Beijing city and municipality, China.

During the Zhanguo (Warring States) period, the ancient city of Ji was significant because it served as the capital of the kingdom of Yan, one of the powerful feudal states of the Zhou dynasty. Located near the site of the present-day city of Beijing, Ji holds the distinction of being the first capital city associated with that area.1