Sima Qian was born at Xiayang in Zuopingyi (around present-day Hancheng, Shaanxi Province) around 145 BC, though some sources give his birth year as around 135 BC.
Sima Qian ka lindur në Xiayang në Zuopingyi (pranë Hanchengit modern, Provinca Shaanxi) rreth vitit 145 pes, megjithëse disa burime japin vitin e tij të lindjes 135 pes.