Abstract: The marquises,the princesses,the generals,the prime ministers and other important figures in the Western Han Dynasty,have residences given and created by the state,which were high-grade residences in Chang’an,the capital of the Western Han Dynasty.The kings,who usually resided at the palace of their own kingdom,would stay in their residences in the capital when to meet with the emperor or to attend other important state events in Chang’an.In Empress Lu's later years,there were more than a hundred of residences,which were offered to the marquises,and kings,who were heroes during the reign of Emperor Gaozu of Han.These residences,built and owned by the state,were offered for temporary residence,but the ownership belonged to thecentral administration.The marquises or kings might rebuild and extend the residences,but when they or their successors lost the title/honor,the state would withdraw the residences and give the residences to others.These residences were not the commodities for trading.The residence was symbol of its resident's social identity and status,in that only the one who has both high political status and high social status could live in the residence in Chang'an,given by the court as an honor.

Key words: Han Dynasty, Chang'an city, residence, high-grade Residence (甲第), status and hierarchy