The cities were located on opposite banks of the Feng River near its confluence with the Wei, corresponding to modern Xi'an, Shaanxi.

As King Wen (ruled c. 1099–1050 BCE) expanded the territory of the Predynastic Zhou east into Shanxi in preparation for an assault on his nominal Shang overlords, he constructed a new capital on the west bank of the Feng about 100 kilometres (62 mi) downstream from Zhou's original capital on the Wei River below Mount Qi.

[1] After his son Fa defeated the Shang at Muye and ascended the throne as King Wu (ruled c. 1046–1043 BCE) of the Zhou dynasty, the capital was moved to a new establishment on the east bank called Hao or Haojing.

[2] The two formed a twin capital, with Feng continuing to serve the rituals of the Zhou ancestral shrine and gardens[clarification needed] and Hao containing the royal palace and government administration.

Both were abandoned in 771 BC during the Quanrong invasion that drove the Zhou out of the Wei River Valley and brought an end to its Western dynasty.