Zhuangyuan is a historical title rather than a geographical city. It refers to the scholar who achieved the highest score on the highest level of the Imperial examination system in imperial China. The term is also known as jangwon in Korean and trạng nguyên in Vietnamese.
The title was awarded to individuals who successfully completed the Metropolitan examination and Palace examination in China, as well as the Gwageo examinations during the Goryeo and Joseon eras in Korea. It translates into English variously as principal graduate, primus, or optimus.