Culture
2025.05.19 15:49 GMT+8

Ancient city of Xi'an still exudes an enduring allure

Updated 2025.05.19 15:49 GMT+8
CGTN

Xi'an, formerly known as Chang'an, is a city of over 13 million residents in northwest China's Shaanxi Province with a legacy that stretches back millennia. Home to the world-renowned Terracotta Warriors and one of China's most historically significant cities, Xi'an is now embracing a new era – blending its rich cultural heritage with modern innovation to showcase its unique charm on the global stage.

A file photo shows the Terracotta Warriors in Xi'an, Shaanxi Province. /VCG

Xi'an served as the political and cultural heart of 13 ancient Chinese dynasties, boasting a recorded city history of more than 3,100 years and over 1,100 years as a national capital. Landmarks such as the Bell Tower, Drum Tower, and Giant Wild Goose Pagoda stand as enduring symbols of its illustrious past, each telling stories that span thousands of years.

A file photo shows an aerial view of the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda in Xi'an, Shaanxi Province. /VCG

Since the Western Han Dynasty some 2,000 years ago, Xi'an has played a pivotal role in China's international trade and exchanges, serving as the eastern terminus of the ancient Silk Road, which stretched all the way to the Roman Empire. This long-standing spirit of connectivity continues to this day.

A file photo shows the Tang Paradise, or Datang Furong Garden, in Xi'an, Shaanxi Province. /VCG

In recent years, Xi'an has prioritized integrating traditional culture with cutting-edge technology to drive the high-quality development of its cultural tourism sector. Attractions like the Tang Paradise, or Datang Furong Garden, and Qujiang Pool Heritage Park now employ immersive technologies to transport visitors back to the grandeur of the Tang Dynasty.

A file photo shows the Muslim Quarter, a popular snack street in Xi'an, Shaanxi Province. /VCG

The city is also actively exploring and revitalizing intangible cultural heritage and Silk Road traditions, innovating new forms of cultural expression that breathe new life into ancient legacies. In Xi'an, history and modernity intertwine, tradition and creativity coexist—creating a dynamic city full of vitality and cultural resonance.

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