Balhae transferred its capital for total of four times. Throughout Korean history, it remains the dynasty which relocated its capital most frequently.
Balhae was founded on the Chengshanzi hill fort, located in Dunhua city, Jilin province, in 698. A...
Balhae transferred its capital for total of four times. Throughout Korean history, it remains the dynasty which relocated its capital most frequently.
Balhae was founded on the Chengshanzi hill fort, located in Dunhua city, Jilin province, in 698. At first, founder Dae Joyeong intended to establish the dynasty in the area which was formerly occupied by the Goguryeo dynasty, but against his initial wishes he had to settle down in the Malgal region, because of the pursuing Tang army's attacks.
Over 20 or 30 years later, the second king Mu - wang first transferred the capital to Hyeonju, located in Helong city. He probably intended not only to exploit the fertile soil of the area, but also to return to the old lands of Goguryeo.
The second transfer of the capital took place when the third king Mun wang moved the government to the Supreme Capital in early 756, located in Ningan city, Heilongjiang province. The area where the new capital settled down was far from the Tang territory, because he was concerned with the possibility of the rebel forces of Anlushan reaching the capital, if it stayed at the original position. He transferred the capital again to the Eastern Capital in the late 780's, located in Hunchun city, Jilin province, probably looking forward to settling in the old Goguryeo lands, the place which was also the starting point of the route to Shilla as well as to Japan.
King Seong - wang returned to the Supreme Capital around the end of 793 right after his accession to the throne, and remained there until the time of Balhae's downfall. This Capital was placed Northward than any other capitals except the capital of the Jin dynasty in the 12th century, in the history of Manchuria, but was maintained there much longer than the Jin capital did.
In conclusion, the selection of a place for dynasty foundation and the relocation to the Supreme Capital were determined by external factors, and the moving to Hyeonju and returning to the Supreme Capital were decided by internal factors. But relocation to the Eastern Capital was decided by both factors.