VENUE

About Xi'an

Xi’an, an eternal city with a history spanning over 3,000 years, is often hailed as a living history book. In ancient times, it was known as Chang’an. As one of the birthplaces of the ancient civilization in the Yellow River Basin, Xi’an has witnessed the rise and fall of 13 dynasties, including the Western Zhou, Qin, Western Han, and Tang dynasties. This rich historical legacy has earned Xi’an equal fame with Athens, Cairo, and Rome as one of the four major ancient civilization capitals.

Xi’an is the capital of Shaanxi province and is strategically located in the southern part of the Guanzhong Plain. It is surrounded by the Qinling Mountains to the south and the Weihe River to the north, offering a favorable geographical location. The city experiences a semi – moist monsoon climate, with distinct four seasons. Winter can be a bit cold, but the other seasons are relatively ideal for traveling.

Xi’an is renowned for its cultural and historical significance. The Museum of Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses, a world – famous archaeological site, is praised as the eighth major miracle of the world. The Mausoleum of Emperor Qin Shi Huang, with its terracotta army, is listed on the World Heritage List. The City Wall of the Ming Dynasty, the largest and most intact Ming – era castle globally, stands as a symbol of the city’s long – standing past. Additionally, there are the 3,000 – year – old Banpo Village Remains from the Neolithic Age and the Forest of Stone Steles, which houses 3,000 stone steles from different periods, ranging from the Han to the Qing dynasties.

Near Xi’an, the Famen Temple is highly regarded as the “forefather of pagodas and temples in Central Shaanxi” due to its possession of the finger bones of Sakyamuni, the founder of Buddhism. The natural landscape around Xi’an is equally magnificent. Mount Hua, one of China’s five most famous mountains, is known for its breathtaking cliffs and unique geological features.

The traditional downtown area of Xi’an is the region encircled by the city wall, which has now expanded to include the area within the Second Ring Road. The Bell Tower serves as the geographical center of Xi’an, and the four main streets – Dong Dajie, Xi Dajie, Nan Dajie, and Bei Dajie – are also the main commercial thoroughfares. Xiao Zhai, in the southern part of the city, is a bustling commercial district popular among young people and students, as many universities are located there. Shuyuan Men and the under – construction Luoma Shi are must – visit pedestrian streets.

Xi’an is also home to a large number of institutions of higher education. While the old campuses of many colleges and universities are concentrated in the southern suburb, most have established new campuses in more distant areas. Today, Xi’an is not only a city steeped in history but also a vibrant metropolis that combines ancient charm with modern development.