Xi’an, traditionally called Chang’an, is the provincial capital of Shaanxi in China. Xi’an is one of four world ancient capitals (the other three are Athens, Roma, and Cairo). As the 13-dynasty capital for more than 1,100 years from the 11th century BC to the 10th century AD; Xi’an was the national center of China’s politics, economy, and culture. Xi’an is one of 15 assistant provincial-level cities in China, and one of core cities of 9 regions in China.
Xi’an is a world-renowned city in history and culture. It is also the important center base of China’s scientific research, higher education, defense technology industry, and high-tech industry in China’s western regions. Surely, Xi’an is also China’s important industrial centre of the aerospace, machinery manufacturing, and textile industry; Xi’an has the stronger industrial foundation. It is one of the mega-cities with strongest power in science and technology; also it has the complete industrial categories.
1. Geography and Climate
The north area of Xi’an is Loess Plateau and the north mountain chain constituted of Liang Mountain, Yaowang Mountain, Huanglong Mountain, and Long Mountain; this range is over against Qinling range. These two ranges together become the natural barrier to surround Guanzhong Plain. The Weihe River, the largest branch of the Yellow River, crosses Guanzhong Plain. Xi’an has the semi-humid and sub-temperate monsoon climate with moderate rainfall and four distinct seasons annually. Its coldest month is January and the hottest month is July.
2. Economy
In the layout of China’s economic zone, Xi’an plays a bridge role in east and west. It has the important strategic function in the policy of Development of the West Regions. Three aspects of Xi’an in development thoroughly show its strong points: the rich world-class sightseeing resources, the national base of China’s scientific research and hi-tech industry, and the regional terminal of traffic and communication. Via deepening the reform and broadening opening policies, Xi’an now becomes the important inland open city. It is the largest business and trade center in west China.
3. Culture
In China’s Han and Tang Dynasties, Xi’an was an international leading mega-city with a population of more than 1,000,000. At that time Xi’an was the global metropolis as the international center of politics, economy, culture, and diplomacy. As the saying goes: in the world, the west is Rome and the east is Chang’an. Xi’an is another starting point of Silk Road except Luoyang. Xi’an Ancient City Wall is the most magnificent ancient wall all round the world where it is also preserved best.
As the cradle of Chinese civilization, the time-honored Xi’an has most charm and attraction in culture and history. It is one of the first group famous cities in culture and history announced by China’s central government. The local citizens summarize the local-lifestyles and folk-customs into ten strange things. There is a stele recording eight sceneries in the pass of the Qing Dynasty in Xi’an Stele exhibition. Qinqiang, as the famous local drama popularizing in the west, especially in Shaanxi Province, is widely welcomed in folk community. It is the oldest, richest, and biggest drama system in China’s four melodious voices of drama. Xi’an’s dialect or accent is typically different from mandarin. It is unique.
Xi’an is also famous for its cuisine, especially its snacks with the highlighted features of western regions in China. The food served in Xi’an is generousness in quantity and cheapness in price. The cuisine of Xi’an is also characterized of Hui nationality. There is a famous street called Hui Street located in the downtown; the food in this street is diversified and multi-selected, but you can not mention the pork in restaurants. That is a taboo in their religion. There is another attraction which is the shadow-play originated from the time before Han Dynasty. The world-famous Terra-Cotta Warriors, the Ancient City Wall, Wild Goose Pagoda, Qian Tomb, and Xi’an Historical Museum and so on could lead us to a world full of surprise and amazement. The heritages, antiques, sites, relics, and ancient buildings will all attract your eyes forever.
4. Education
Xi’an is one of China’s most advanced cities in higher education. The number of the students is more than any other cities in China except Beijing and Shanghai. Averagely, there is one person in six people receiving higher education for bachelor degree and above. Xi’an in higher education is ranked the first place in the west region.
