Xingtai is a city in southern Hebei Province, North China. The prefecture-level city of Xingtai, with a total area of 12,486 square kilometers (4,821 sq mi), Xingtai is the oldest city in North China. The history of Xingtai can be traced back 3500 years ago. During the Shang Dynasty, Xingtai functioned as a capital city. During the Zhou Dynasty, the State of Xing - from which the present name derives - was founded in the city. During the Warring States Period, the state of Zhao made Xingtai its provisional capital. The city was known as Xindu for most of the Qin Dynasty, but after the 207 BC Battle of Julu (within modern Xingtai), it became known as Xiangguo.