Ancient Handan City of Zhao State asymmetric: authority  

邯郸市文物局：赵王城并非中国最早中轴对称都城

河北省邯郸市文物局8日透露，该市文物工作者经过对赵王城遗址布局多次勘查发现，赵王城与同期都城相比，虽然在平面造型、布局等方面更规范，但此前关于“赵王城为中国最早有中轴线对称布局的古都城”一说或不准确。

Handan (CNS) -- The ancient Handan City of Zhao State (403BC–222BC) is an asymmetrical city, though much more regular than cities built in the same period, revealed the Cultural Relic Bureau of Handan, Hebei, Sunday.

Judged to be the best preserved of the Warring States Period (475BC–221BC), it is composed of an eastern, a western and a northern parts taking up about 5.12 million square meters, which fuels the previous theories that it is China's earliest symmetrical in structure.

Studies proved its asymmetry by demonstrating that the ancient city planning does not shape entirely square and palaces at the western part are built higher than the rest, said Director Wang Xing with the bureau.