Xi'an

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Xi'an

西安市

Sian
Prefecture-level & Sub-provincial city
From top: Xian Terracotta Warriors Museum, Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, Drum Tower of Xi'an, Bell Tower of Xi'an, City wall of Xi'an, Tang Paradise at night
Location of Xi'an City jurisdiction in Shaanxi
Location of Xi'an City jurisdiction in Shaanxi
Xi'an is located in China
Xi'an
Xi'an
Location in China
Coordinates (Shaanxi provincial government): 34°15′54″N 108°57′14″E / 34.265°N 108.954°E / 34.265; 108.954Coordinates: 34°15′54″N 108°57′14″E / 34.265°N 108.954°E / 34.265; 108.954
CountryPeople's Republic of China
ProvinceShaanxi
Government
 • Party SecretaryWang Hao
 • MayorLi Mingyuan (acting)
Area
 • Prefecture-level & Sub-provincial city9,983 km2 (3,854 sq mi)
 • Urban
 (2018)[2]
1,088 km2 (420 sq mi)
 • Metro
3,866.25 km2 (1,492.77 sq mi)
Elevation
405 m (1,329 ft)
Population
 (2017)
 • Prefecture-level & Sub-provincial city12,000,600[1]
 • Urban
 (2018)[2]
7,135,000
 • Urban density6,600/km2 (17,000/sq mi)
 • Metro12,900,000
 • Metro density3,300/km2 (8,600/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+8 (CST)
Postal code
710000–710090
Area code(s)29
ISO 3166 codeCN-SN-01
GDP(2017)
– TotalCNY748.52 billion
(US$118.8 billion)
– Per capitaCNY71,853 (US$10,823)
License plate prefixes陕A
City flowerPomegranate flower
City treePagoda tree
Websitewww.xa.gov.cn
Xī'ān
Xi'an (Chinese characters).svg
"Xi'an" in Chinese characters
Chinese name
Chinese西安
PostalSianfu
Literal meaning"Western Peace"
Cháng'ān
Simplified Chinese长安
Traditional Chinese長安
Literal meaning"Perpetual Peace"
Xi'an dialect (Zhongyuan Mandarin) name
Xi'an dialect (Zhongyuan Mandarin)西安: [ɕi²¹.ŋã²¹]
長安: [ʈ͡ʂʰaŋ²⁴.ŋã²¹]

Xi'an (UK: /ˌʃiːˈæn/ shee-AN, US: /ˌʃiːˈɑːn/ shee-AHN,[4][5][6][7] Chinese: [ɕí.án] (About this soundlisten)), also known as Sian, is the capital of Shaanxi Province. A sub-provincial city on the Guanzhong Plain in northwest China,[8] it is one of the oldest cities in China, and the oldest of the Four Great Ancient Capitals, having held the position under several of the most important dynasties in Chinese history,[9] including Western Zhou, Qin, Western Han, Sui, and Tang.[9] Xi'an is the starting point of the Silk Road and home to the Terracotta Army of Emperor Qin Shi Huang.[10]

Since the 1990s, as part of the economic revival of inland China especially for the central and northwest regions, the city of Xi'an has re-emerged as an important cultural, industrial and educational centre of the central-northwest region, with facilities for research and development, national security and space exploration. Xi'an currently holds sub-provincial status, administering 9 districts and 4 counties.[11] As of 2018 Xi'an has a population of 12,005,600, and the Xi'an–Xianyang metropolitan area a population of 12.9 million.[3] It is the most populous city in Northwest China, as well as one of the three most populous cities in Western China, the other two being Chongqing and Chengdu.[12] In 2012, it was named as one of the 13 emerging megacities, or megalopolises, in China.[13]

Name[edit]

"Xi'an" is the atonal pinyin romanization of the Mandarin pronunciation of its name 西安, which means "Western Peace". (The apostrophe – known in Chinese as a 隔音符號, géyīn fúhào – should be included to distinguish its pronunciation from the single syllable xian.) The name was adopted in 1369 under the early Ming dynasty. Jesuit missionaries recorded its name as "Si-ngan" or "Si-ngan-fou"[14] from its status as the seat of a prefecture (府, fǔ). This form still appears in the Latin name of the Catholic diocese of Xi'an, archidioecesis Singanensis. The name was later romanized as "Hsi-an" by Wade & Giles and as "Sianfu"[15] or "Sian"[10] by the Qing imperial post office, both of which were common until the general adoption of pinyin.

The area of present-day Xi'an has been the site of several important former Chinese cities. The capital of the Western Zhou were the twin cities of Feng and Hao, known collectively as Fenghao, located on opposite banks of the Feng River at its confluence with the southern bank of the Wei in the western suburbs of present-day Xi'an.[16] The Qin capital Xianyang was erected north of the Wei during the Warring States period and was succeeded by the Western Han capital of Chang'an (長安), meaning "Perpetual Peace", which was located south of the Wei and covered the central area of present-day Xi'an. During the Eastern Han, Chang'an was also known as Xijing (西京) or the "Western Capital", relative to its position to the main capital at Luoyang. Under the Sui, its name became Daxing (大興, "Greatly Prosperous") in AD 581. Under the Tang, the name reverted to Chang'an in 618.[10] Under the Mongolian Yuan dynasty (13th & 14th centuries), it held a succession of names: Fengyuan (奉元), Anxi (安西, "Peaceful West"), and Jingzhao (京兆). The Ming name "Xi'an" was changed back to Xijing ("Western Capital", as above) between 1930 and 1943.

Xi'an currently does not have a widely accepted one-character abbreviation as many other Chinese cities do. Its license plates are simply marked with 陕A, based on the name of its province.

History[edit]

Main articles: History of Xi'an and Chang'an

Prehistory[edit]

Xi'an has a rich and culturally significant history. The Lantian Man was discovered in 1963 in Lantian County, 50 km (31 mi) southeast of Xi'an, and dates back to at least 500,000 years before the present time. A 6,500-year-old Neolithic village, Banpo, was discovered in 1953 on the eastern outskirts of the city proper, which contains the remains of several well organized Neolithic settlements carbon dated to 5600–6700 years ago.[17][18][19][20] The site is now home to the Xi'an Banpo Museum, built in 1957 to preserve the archaeological collection.[21]

Ancient era[edit]

Remains of carriages and horses in Fenghao during the Western Zhou (11th–8th cent. BC)

Xi'an became a cultural and political centre of China in the 11th century BC with the founding of the Zhou dynasty. The capital of Zhou was established in the twin settlements of Fengjing (丰京) and Haojing, together known as Fenghao, located southwest of contemporary Xi'an. The settlement was also known as Zhōngzhōu to indicate its role as the capital of the vassal states.[22] In 770 BC, the capital was moved to Luoyang due to political unrest.[23]

Imperial era[edit]

A map of the city walls of settlements in Xi'an from the Zhou to Qing dynasties
Terracotta Army inside the Qin Shi Huang Mausoleum, 3rd century BC.
Map of Chang'an under the Tang (7th–10th cent.)

Following the Warring States period, China was unified under the Qin dynasty (221–206 BC) for the first time, with the capital located at Xianyang, just northwest of modern Xi'an.[24] The first emperor of China, Qin Shi Huang ordered the construction of the Terracotta Army and his mausoleum just to the east of Xi'an almost immediately after his ascension to the throne.[25]

In 202 BC, the founding emperor Liu Bang of the Han dynasty established his capital in Chang'an County; his first palace, Changle Palace (長樂宮, "Perpetual Happiness") was built across the river from the ruin of the Qin capital. This is traditionally regarded as the founding date of Chang'an. Two years later, Liu Bang built Weiyang Palace (未央宮, "Never Ending Palace") north of modern Xi'an. Weiyang Palace was the largest palace ever built on Earth, covering 4.8 square kilometres (1,200 acres), which is 6.7 times the size of the current Forbidden City and 11 times the size of the Vatican City.[26] The original Xi'an city wall was started in 194 BC and took 4 years to finish. Upon completion, the wall measured 25.7 km (15.97 mi) in length and 12 to 16 m (39.37–52.49 ft) in thickness at the base, enclosing an area of 36 km2 (13.90 sq mi). In the year 190, amidst uprisings and rebellions just prior to the Three Kingdoms Period, a powerful warlord named Dong Zhuo moved the court from Luoyang to Chang'an in a bid to avoid a coalition of other powerful warlords against him.

Following several hundred years of unrest, the Sui dynasty united China again in 582. The emperor of Sui ordered a new capital to be built southeast of the Han capital, called Daxing. It consisted of three sections: the Imperial City, the palace section, and the civilian section, with a total area of 84 km2 (32 sq mi) within the city walls. At the time, it was the largest city in the world. The city was renamed Chang'an by the Tang dynasty.[27] In the mid-7th century, after returning from his pilgrimage to India, the Buddhist monk Xuanzang established a translation centre for Sanskrit scriptures.

Construction of the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda began in 652. This pagoda was 64 m (209.97 ft) in height, and was built to store the translations of Buddhist sutras obtained from India by Xuanzang. In 707, construction of the Small Wild Goose Pagoda began. This pagoda measured 45 m (147.64 ft) tall at the time of completion, and was built to store the translations of Buddhist sutras by Yijing. The massive 1556 Shaanxi earthquake eventually damaged the tower and reduced its height to 43.4 m (142.39 ft).[28]

The Nestorian Stele is a Tang Chinese stele erected in 781 that documents 150 years of early Christianity in China.[29] It is a 279 cm tall limestone block with text in both Chinese and Syriac describing the existence of Christian communities in several cities in northern China. It reveals that the initial Nestorian Christian church had met recognition by the Tang Emperor Taizong, due to efforts of the Christian missionary Alopen in 635.[30]

Chang'an was devastated at the end of the Tang dynasty in 904. Residents were forced to move to the new capital city in Luoyang. Only a small area in the city continued to be occupied thereafter. During the Ming dynasty, a new wall was constructed in 1370 and remains intact to this day. The wall measures 11.9 km (7.4 mi) in circumference, 12 m (39.37 ft) in height, and 15 to 18 m (49.21–59.06 ft) in thickness at the base; a moat was also built outside the walls. The new wall and moat would protect a much smaller city of 12 km2 (4.6 sq mi).

Modern era[edit]

In October 1911, during the Xinhai revolution, revolutionaries attacked the Manchu fort in Xi'an city. Xinhai forces stormed the fort, killing some 20,000 Manchus, therefore successfully liquidated the entire population of Manchus in Xi'an city.[31][32] The Hui Muslim community of northwestern China was divided in its support for the 1911 Xinhai Revolution. The Hui Muslims of Shaanxi supported the revolutionaries and the Hui Muslims of Gansu supported the Qing. The native Hui Muslims (Mohammedans) of Xi'an joined the Han Chinese revolutionaries in slaughtering the Manchus.[33][34][35] Only some wealthy Manchus who were ransomed and Manchu females survived. Wealthy Han Chinese seized Manchu girls to become their slaves[36] and poor Han Chinese troops seized young Manchu women to be their wives.[37] Young pretty Manchu girls were also seized by Hui Muslims of Xi'an during the massacre and brought up as Muslims.[38]

A British missionary who witnessed the massacre commented that "Old and young, men and women, children alike, were all butchered... Houses were plundered and then burnt; those who would fain have laid hidden till the storm was past, were forced to come out into the open. The revolutionaries, protected by a parapet of the wall, poured a heavy, unceasing, relentless fire into the doomed Tartar (Manchu) city, those who tried to escape thence into the Chinese city were cut down as they emerged from the gates."[31][39]

In 1936, the Xi'an Incident took place inside the city during the Chinese Civil War. The incident brought the Kuomintang (KMT) and Communist Party of China to a truce in order to concentrate on fighting against the Japanese Invasion.[40] On May 20, 1949, the Communist-controlled People's Liberation Army captured the city of Xi'an from the Kuomintang force.[41]

Xi'an made headlines for being one of the many cities where the 2012 China anti-Japanese demonstrations occurred.[42][43][44]

Geography[edit]

Xi'an lies on the Guanzhong Plain in the south-central part of Shaanxi province, on a flood plain created by the eight surrounding rivers and streams. The city has an average elevation of 400 metres (1,312 ft) above sea level and an annual precipitation of 553 mm (21.8 in). The urban area of Xi'an is located at 34°16′N 108°56′E / 34.267°N 108.933°E / 34.267; 108.933. The Wei River provides potable water to the city.

The city borders the northern foot of the Qin Mountains (Qinling) to the south, and the banks of the Wei River to the north. Hua Shan, one of the five sacred Taoist mountains, is located 100 km (62 mi) away to the east of the city. Not far to the north is the Loess Plateau.

At the beginning of Han dynasty, Prime Minister Zhang Liang advised the emperor Liu Bang to choose Guanzhong as the capital of the Han dynasty: "Guanzhong Plain, which is located behind Xiao Pass and Hangu Pass, connects Long (Gansu) and Shu (Sichuan). Lands of thousand miles rich in harvest be found here, as if this place belongs to the nation of heaven." (关中左崤函，右陇蜀，沃野千里，此所谓金城千里，天府之国也) Since then, Guanzhong is also known as the 'Nation of the Heaven'.[45]

Climate[edit]

Xi'an
Climate chart (explanation)
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
 
 
6.9
 
 
5
−4
 
 
9.6
 
 
8
−1
 
 
29
 
 
14
4
 
 
43
 
 
21
10
 
 
60
 
 
26
14
 
 
54
 
 
31
19
 
 
99
 
 
32
22
 
 
71
 
 
31
21
 
 
92
 
 
25
16
 
 
60
 
 
20
10
 
 
24
 
 
12
3
 
 
5.8
 
 
6
−3
Average max. and min. temperatures in °C
Precipitation totals in mm
Source: China Meteorological Administration

Xi'an has a temperate climate that is influenced by the East Asian monsoon, classified under the Köppen climate classification as situated on the borderline between a semi-arid climate (BSk) and humid subtropical climate (Cwa). The Wei River valley is characterised by hot, humid summers, cold, dry winters, and dry springs and autumns. Most of the annual precipitation is delivered from July to late October. Snow occasionally falls in winter but rarely settles for long. Dust storms often occur during March and April as the city rapidly warms up. Summer months also experience frequent but short thunderstorms. The monthly 24-hour average temperature ranges from around the freezing mark in January to 27.0 °C (80.6 °F) in July, with an annual mean of 14.08 °C (57.3 °F). With monthly percent possible sunshine ranging from 31 percent in December to 47 percent in August, the city receives 1,536 hours of bright sunshine annually. Extremes since 1951 have ranged from −20.6 °C (−5 °F) on January 11, 1955 to 41.8 °C (107 °F) on June 21, 1998. A highest record of 42.9 °C (109 °F) was registered in another station on June 17, 2006.[46][47]

National Time Service Centre[edit]

The Shaanxi Astronomical Observatory was established in 1966. In 1975, according to the Geodetic Origin Report of the People's Republic of China, 'in order to avoid bias in the mensuration as much as possible, the Geodetic Origin would be in central mainland China.' Lintong (临潼), a town near Xi'an was chosen. Since 1986, Chinese Standard Time (CST) was set from NTSC. The NTSC in Lintong is 36 km (22 mi) away from Xi'an.

National Time Service Centre (NTSC), the Chinese Academy of Sciences is an institute which is mainly engaged in the service and research on time and frequency. NTSC takes charge of generating and maintaining the national standard time scale, disseminating the time and frequency signals. The autonomous standard time scales of universal time and atomic time and the dissemination techniques with LF radio and HF radio were established successively during the 1970s and 1980s, which meet all the requirements for different applications on the whole, such as the scientific researches, national economy, etc.[49]

Demographics[edit]

Muslim Quarter in Xi'an

As of 2015 Xi'an has a population of 8.7 million.[1] Compared to the census data from 2000, the population has increased by 656,700 persons from 7.41 million.[50] The population is 51.66 percent male and 48.34 percent female.[50] Among its districts, Yanta has the largest population, with 1.08 million inhabitants.[50]

The encompassing Xi'an-Xianyang metropolitan area was estimated by the OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) to have, as of 2010, a population of 12.9 million,[3] and locally as 13,569,700,[51][failed verification] of which 5,740,000 is urban.[52]

The majority of Xi'an residents are Han Chinese, who make up 99.1 percent of the city's total population. There are around 81,500 people belonging to ethnic minorities living in Xi'an, including 50,000 Hui people.[citation needed]

During World War II, Xi'an became a destination for many refugees from other provinces of China, especially neighboring Henan Province. Because Xi'an was far inland, the invading Japanese army only managed a few aerial assaults on the city. As a result, Xi'an suffered minimal destruction. After 1949, the national government tried to balance the development in different regions of China, and relocated a number of factories and universities from other cities to Xi'an. Modern Xi'an Jiaotong University was relocated from its original campus in Shanghai.

Breakdown of Xi'an population by district and county
Division Permanent residents[53] Hukou residents[54]
Total Percentage Population density (persons/km2)
Xi'an City 8,467,837 100 838.66 7,827,260
Xincheng District 589,739 6.96 19,574.51 503,641
Beilin District 614,710 7.26 26,298.54 732,494
Lianhu District 698,513 8.25 18,226.61 640,911
Baqiao District 595,124 7.03 1,833.97 508,535
Weiyang District 806,811 9.53 3,051.39 516,968
Yanta District 1,178,529 13.92 7,782.38 793,103
Yanliang District 278,604 3.29 1,139.26 252,449
Lintong District 655,874 7.75 716.04 697,586
Chang'an District 1,083,285 12.79 681.94 980,803
Gaoling District 333,477 3.94 1,169.98 294,507
Huyi District 556,377 6.57 434.87 597,071
Lantian County 514,026 6.07 256.25 643,605
Zhouzhi County 562,768 6.65 191.08 665,587

Administrative divisions[edit]

The sub-provincial city of Xi'an has direct jurisdiction over 11 districts and 2 counties:

Map
Division code[55] English Chinese Pinyin Area in km2[56] Seat Postal code Subdivisions[57]
Subdistricts Towns Residential communities Villages
610100 Xi'an 西安市 Xī'ān Shì 10,096.81 Weiyang District 710000 113 55 766 2984
610102 Xincheng District 新城区 Xīnchéng Qū 30.13 Xiyi Road Subdistrict
(西一路街道)		 710000 9 105
610103 Beilin District 碑林区 Bēilín Qū 23.37 Zhangjiacun Subdistrict
(张家村街道)		 710000 8 100
610104 Lianhu District 莲湖区 Liánhú Qū 38.32 Beiyuanmen Subdistrict
(北院门街道)		 710000 9 127 5
610111 Baqiao District 灞桥区 Bàqiáo Qū 324.50 Fangzhicheng Subdistrict
(纺织城街道)		 710000 9 40 223
610112 Weiyang District 未央区 Wèiyāng Qū 264.41 Zhangjiabao Subdistrict
(张家堡街道)		 710000 12 114 147
610113 Yanta District 雁塔区 Yàntǎ Qū 151.44 Xiaozhai Road Subdistrict
(小寨路街道)		 710000 8 123 84
610114 Yanliang District 阎良区 Yánliáng Qū 244.55 Fenghuang Road Subdistrict
(凤凰路街道)		 710089 5 2 23 80
610115 Lintong District 临潼区 Líntóng Qū 915.97 Lishan Subdistrict
(骊山街道)		 710600 23 36 284
610116 Chang'an District 长安区 Cháng'ān Qū 1,588.53 Weiqu Subdistrict
(韦曲街道)		 710100 25 47 659
610117 Gaoling District 高陵区 Gāolíng Qū 285.03 Luyuan Subdistrict
(鹿苑街道)		 710200 3 3 8 88
610118 Huyi District 鄠邑区 Hùyì Qū 1,279.42 Ganting Subdistrict
(甘亭街道)		 710300 1 13 21 518
610122 Lantian County 蓝田县 Lántián Xiàn 2,005.95 Languan Subdistrict
(蓝关街道)		 710500 1 18 8 520
610124 Zhouzhi County 周至县 Zhōuzhì Xiàn 2,945.20 Erqu Subdistrict
(二曲街道)		 710400 1 19 14 376

Transportation[edit]

Xi'an Metro
Yongningmen Metro Station
Xi'an Railway Station
Xi'an North Railway Station
Bell Tower Underpass
Xi'an Xianyang International Airport

Xi'an has many areas that are easily accessible on foot. In many commercial, residential, educational zones in the city, especially in the shopping and entertainment districts around the Bell Tower, underpasses and overpasses have been built for the safety and convenience of pedestrians.

Electric bikes are popular[citation needed] among students and offer easy transportation in and around the city for many residents. A bicycle-sharing network started operating in 2013 and today has 52,000 bikes, used by over 200,000 people per day.[58] Taxi services are numerous, but many citizens of Xi'an still commute to work using the city's 270 official municipal bus routes serviced by a fleet of over 7,800 buses, with an average system-wide ridership of over 4 million people per day.[58] The bus network is complemented by a rapidly expanding subway system that carries over 1.5 million commuters per day.[58] There are more than 2 million registered automobiles[59] in Xi'an; the growing number of personal automobiles also means traffic jams are a common urban issue.

Metro[edit]

Main article: Xi'an Metro

Line 2, running through the city from north (North Railway Station) to south (Weiqu Nan), was the first line opened to the public on September 16, 2011.[60] Operations began on September 28, 2011.[60][61] This line is 19.9 kilometres (12.4 miles) long with 17 stations.[62] Line 1 opened on September 15, 2013. As a west-east railway, its 19 stations connect Houweizhai and Fangzhicheng. Line 3 runs from northeast (Baoshuiqu) to southwest (Yuhuazhai) and opened on November 8, 2016. Line 4, which is basically parallel to Line 2 on its east, runs from the North Square of the North Railway Station [Beikezhan (Beiguangchang)] to south (Hangtianxincheng) and was available publicly on December 26, 2018.

Eight lines are planned to be finished around 2021. It will mainly service the urban and suburban districts of Xi'an municipality and part of nearby Xianyang City.[63]

The subway system covers some of the most famous attractions, such as Banpo Museum (Banpo Station, Line 1), Bell and Drum Tower (Line 2), Fortifications of Xi'an (Line 2), the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda (Line 3 and Line 4), the Daminggong National Heritage Park (Line 4) and Shaanxi History Museum (Line 2, 3 and 4), etc.[64]

The first metro departure time for Line 1, 2, 3 and 4 is 6:00, the last metro departure time for Line 3 and 4 is 23:00, for Line 1 is 23:30, and for Line 2 is 23:50.[65]

On December 30, 2008, a fire accident occurred that was extinguished within an hour and all workers evacuated safely. Sixty-six hours later, on January 2, another fire occurred at another station on Line 2.[66]

Taxi[edit]

Taxis in Xi'an are predominantly BYD Auto made in Xi'an. Most, if not all, taxis in Xi'an run on compressed natural gas. For the taxis' fare, during the period of 06:00 through 23:00, ¥9/2 kilometres (1.2 miles) for the fare fall and ¥2.3/km later, at night ¥10 for the fare fall and ¥2.7/km later.

Rail[edit]

There are 6 passenger transport railway stations in Xi'an. Xi'an railway station, located just north of Xi'an walled city, is one of the eight major national railway stations, and the main railway transportation hub of Shaanxi Province. The new Xi'an North railway station, situated a few miles to the north, is the station for the high-speed trains of the Zhengzhou–Xi'an High-Speed Railway. With 34 platforms, it is the largest railway station in Northwest China.[67] Construction of the station began on September 19, 2008.[68] The station was opened on January 11, 2011.[67] As of May 2012, Xi'an North Station is served only by the fast (G-series and D-series) trains running on the Zhengzhou–Xi'an high-speed railway; one of them continues south to Hankou.[69] The city's other stations include Xi'an West, Xi'an East, Xi'an South, Sanmincun, and Fangzhicheng railway stations.

Xi'an Railway Station covers 597,000 square metres (6,430,000 square feet), has 5 passenger platforms, and 24 tracks. It provides 112 services to 80 000 people daily. Among the destinations served by direct trains from Xi'an are Beijing, Zhengzhou, Lanzhou, Baoji, and Mount Hua. China Railway High-speed 2 now run an express services from Xi'an to Baoji and Xi'an to Zhengzhou; with a total running time to Baoji of under 90 minutes, and 2 hours to Zhengzhou. The Zhengzhou–Xi'an high-speed railway also serves Xi'an. Construction work began on September 25, 2005, the railway opened for service on February 6, 2010.[70][71][72] The railway has made air service between Zhengzhou and Xi'an uncompetitive. All passenger flights between the two cities were suspended within 48 days of start of regular high-speed rail service.[73]

Expressways[edit]

Xi'an currently has three ring road systems, the Second Ring road and the Third Ring road which encircle the city. These ring roads are similar to freeways, except where there are traffic signals on the Second Ring road.

As a tourist city, Xi'an has built expressways to Lintong, Tongchuan and Baoji, with well-maintained roads to famous scenic spots in suburban counties and to the north slope of the Qin Mountains. Since its construction in September 2007, the G5 Beijing–Kunming Expressway connects Hanzhong and Xi'an through the Qinling.

Air[edit]

Xi'an Xianyang International Airport (airport code: XIY) is the major airport serving the city and it is the largest airport in the northwestern part of China. It is 41 kilometres (25 mi) northwest of Xi'an city centre, and 13 kilometres (8.1 mi) northeast of the centre of Xianyang.[74] China Eastern Airlines, Hainan Airlines and China Southern Airlines are the main airlines using the airport. Terminal 3 and the second runway were opened on May 3, 2012.[75]

International Routes: There are direct flights from Xi'an to many major cities in Asia, including Bangkok, Busan, Fukuoka, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, Osaka, Sapporo, Singapore Seoul, and Taipei. First direct route between Xi'an and Europe was launched by Finnair on June 14, 2013. There are 3 three frequencies per week via Helsinki hub to many major cities in Europe during the summer season. United Airlines begun non-stop service to San Francisco since May 2016.

Germany's Fraport, the operator of Frankfurt Airport, has paid 490  million yuan to obtain a 24.5  percent stake in the Xianyang International Airport, offering opportunities to upgrade and expand the facility.

Figures along the Airport Express highway leading to Xi'an Xianyang International Airport
  • On June 6, 1994, China Northwest Airlines Flight 2303 broke up in mid-air and crashed near Xi'an, en route to Guangzhou from Xian.[76][77] A maintenance error was responsible. All 160 people on board died. As of 2016, it remains the deadliest airplane crash ever to occur in mainland China.[78]

Culture[edit]

A typical Chinese pavilion located in Xi'an
Traditional Chinese musical performances at Xi'an
Yangrou Paomo, a well-known Xi'an dish

The culture of Xi'an descends from one of the world's earliest civilizations. The Guanzhong Ren (simplified Chinese: 关中人; traditional Chinese: 關中人; pinyin: Guānzhōng rén) culture is considered the cultural antecedent of Xi'anese; their features are satirized as the "Ten Strangenesses of Guanzhong Ren" (simplified Chinese: 关中十大怪; traditional Chinese: 關中十大怪; pinyin: Guānzhōng shí dà guài). Xi'an is also known for the "Eight Great Sights of Chang'an" (simplified Chinese: 长安八景; traditional Chinese: 長安八景; pinyin: Cháng'ān bājǐng), a collection of scenic areas in the region. Xi'an guyue is named for Xi'an.

Arts district[edit]

Much like Beijing 1798 and Shanghai 1933, Xi'an has an art district called Textile Town (Chinese: 纺织城; pinyin: Fǎngzhī chéng). The district derives its name from the many textile factories built there since the 1950s.[79] Today it is no longer a centre for the textile industry but a new art factory with 4 workshops in total.

Resident artists[edit]

Xi'an is home to contemporary Chinese stars such as Xu Wei,[80] Zhang Chu and Zheng Jun.

Xi'an cuisine[edit]

Yangrou paomo (flat bread soaked in lamb soup; simplified Chinese: 羊肉泡馍; traditional Chinese: 羊肉泡饃; pinyin: Yángròu pàomó) [81] is a well known Xi'anese dish.

Opera[edit]

Qinqiang (Voice of Qin) is the oldest and most extensive of the four major types of Chinese opera.[82] Also called "random pluck" (Chinese: 乱弹; pinyin: Luàntán), Qinqiang is the main type of drama in Shaanxi province.[83] As the earliest ancestor of Peking opera, Yu Opera, Sichuan opera and Hebei Opera[disambiguation needed], Qinqiang has developed its own system of unique vocal music, spoken parts, facial makeup, posture, role, category and acting. It can be traced to Xi Qinqiang (Chinese: 西秦腔; pinyin: Xi qínqiāng; literally: 'Voice of West Qin') in Qin dynasty, and blossomed until Qing dynasty, with direct influences on many branches of Chinese Opera.[84]

Cinema[edit]

Zhang Yimou and Gu Changwei are directors from Xi'an. Zhang Yimou is also the only director in China to win the Golden Bear (Berlin Film Festival) twice. The first film is Red Sorghum and the second one is Tuya's Marriage. They are produced by Xi'an Filmmaking Factory (now called Xi'an Qujiang Filmmaking Group) and Xi'an Filmmaking Company, respectively.

Religion[edit]

Chinese traditional religion and Taoism[edit]

A pavilion of the City God Temple of Xian.

The most influential religions in Xi'an are the Chinese traditional religion and Taoist schools, represented by many major and minor temples. Among these there are a City God Temple, completely reconstructed in the 2010s, and a Temple of Confucius.

Buddhism[edit]

Chinese Buddhist nuns and laywomen at a temple in Xi'an.

Buddhism has a large presence in the city, with temples of the Chinese and Tibetan schools.

Christianity[edit]

See also: Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Xi'an

The first recorded Christian missionary in China was Alopen, a Syriac-speaker, who arrived in Xi'an (then known as Chang'an) in 635 along the Silk Road. The Nestorian Stele, now located in Xi'an's Beilin Museum, is a Tang Chinese stele erected in 781 that documents the 150 years of early Christianity in China following Alopen.[29] It is a 279-centimetre-tall (110-inch) limestone block with text in both Chinese and Syriac describing the existence of Christian communities in several cities in northern China. The Daqin Pagoda, a Buddhist pagoda in Zhouzhi County of Xi'an, has been suggested to have originally been a Nestorian Christian church from the Tang Dynasty.[85]

In Xi'an there was formerly a Baptist mission from England. The Baptist missionaries ran a hospital.[86] In 1892, Arthur Gostick Shorrock[87] and Moir Duncan[88] founded the Sianfu Mission, in present-day Xi'an.[89][90][91]

Islam[edit]

Xi'an was the first city in China to be introduced to Islam. Emperor Gaozong of the Tang dynasty officially allowed the practice of Islam in AD 651. Xi'an has a large Muslim community, the significant majority are from the Hui group, there are an estimated 50,000 Hui Muslims in Xi'an.[92] There are seven mosques in Xi'an, the best known being the Great Mosque.[93]

Economy[edit]

Erhuan Road of Xi'an

As part of the China Western Development policy, Xi’an became a major target for accelerated attention. From 1997 to 2006, the industrial output value of Xi’an's service industry increased at an annual average rate of 13.74 percent, compared to traditional service industries of 0.74 percent, representing a growth from US$8.113 billion to US$25.85 billion.[94] Xi'an is the largest economy of the Shaanxi province, with a GDP of 324.1 billion Yuan in 2010. On average this value increases by 14.5 percent annually, and accounts for approximately 41.8 percent of Shaanxi's total GDP.[94][95] At least fifty-eight countries have established over 2,560 enterprises in Xian, including nineteen of the Fortune 500 enterprises. These include ABB Group, Mitsubishi, Panasonic, Toshiba, Fujitsu, Coca-Cola, and Boeing.[96]

Important industries include equipment manufacturing, tourism, and service outsourcing.[97] The manufacturing industry had an annual output of RMB 36.5 billion, accounting for 44.5 percent of the city's total.[95] Furthermore, as one of China's four ancient capitals,[98] Xi'an's many cultural sites, including the Terracotta Army, the City Wall of Xi'an, and the Famen Temple, make tourism an important industry as well. In 2010, 52 million domestic tourists visited Xi'an, earning a total income of RMB 40.52 billion. On average, revenue increases by 36.4 percent per year, and foreign-exchange earnings (530 million in 2009) increase by around 35.8 percent.[95]

Xi'an is also one of the first service outsourcing cities in China, with over 800 corporations in the industry. The city's output value from this sector exceeded RMB 23 billion in 2008. Employment in the sector doubled from 1997–2006, from a base of 60,000, and computer consulting also doubled from 16,000 to 32,000.[94] As a result of the importance of the software-outsourcing industry, the city planned construction of a Software New Town, which is scheduled to be completed in 2015 with 30 billion RMB investment.[95] Other major export goods include lighting equipment and automobile parts, while its major import goods are mechanical and electrical products. Internationally, Xi'an's largest trade partner is the United States.[95]

Xi'an is part of the West Triangle Economic Zone, along with Chengdu and Chongqing.

Industrial zones[edit]

Xi'an Hi-Tech Industries Development Zone

Major industrial zones in Xi'an include:

a daily average of 3.7 technology enterprises established in Xi'an Hi-Tech Industries Development Zone in the year of 2005, from XINHUANET.com July 28, 2005[99] Xi'an Hi-Tech Industries Development Zone has more than 16,000 enterprises which ranked second place in all the 88 hi-tech ZONES in China, achieved a total revenue of 522.223 billion yuan. It is worth mentioning that 13 enterprise's annual income is over a hundred billion yuan, 19 enterprise's annual income more than 50 billion, more than 265 enterprise earns over billion yuan each year, Listed companies at home and abroad have accumulated 50, of which the domestic A-share market issued 21 of them, accounting for more than 60% of the province; 4 GEM listed companies, ranking first in the Midwest high-tech zones.

The Jiangcungou landfill in Xi'an was China's largest landfill site before its closure in 2019.[100]

Software and outsourcing industries[edit]

The growing economy of Xi'an supports the development of a software industry, and the city is a pioneer in software industry in China. The Xi'an Software Park within the Xi'an Hi-Tech Industries Development Zone (XDZ) has attracted over 1,085 corporations and 106,000 employees as of 2012.[101] A Silicon.com article describes Xi'an: "But Xi'an is selling on its own merits—with a large pool of cheap human resources from the 100 universities in the area, it hoovers up around 3,000 computer graduates every year, each earning approximately $120 a month—half the wages for the equivalent job in Beijing."[102][103]

Aerospace industry[edit]

In November 2006, Xi'an and the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation jointly set up Xi'an Aerospace Science and Technology Industrial Base. From its establishment, the base has focused on the development of the civil space industry, including equipment manufacturing, software and service outsourcing, new materials and solar photovoltaics.

Apart from the core area, the base will cover Xi'an and the Guanzhong area and the expansion zone will reach other parts of Northwest China and Southwest China. It is expected that by 2012 the total industry output can reach 2.8 billion us dollars with about 10 to 20 brand products with intellectual property rights and 5 to 8 products with global competitiveness.

In 2008, after the launch of the initial aerospace centre in Shanghai, the PRC is constructing another civil aerospace centre in the Shaanxi province. The State Development and Reform Commission approved the planning of Xi'an National Civil Aerospace Industrial Base on December 26, 2007. The National Civil Aerospace Industrial Base of Xi'an, set to cover 23 km2 (8.9 sq mi), will focus on developing satellites, new materials, energies, IT and other technologies for civil applications.

Notable businesspeople[edit]

Zhang Chaoyang (张朝阳), the CEO of SOHU (Nasdaq), born and raised in Xi'an, is a prominent leader in the Chinese Internet industry. Liu Chuanzhi, the founder and president of Lenovo Group Limited, completed his tertiary degree from Xidian University in the 1960s.

Education[edit]

Further information: List of universities in China

Public[edit]

Xi'an Jiaotong University

Military[edit]

Private[edit]

Note: Institutions without full-time bachelor programs are not listed.

See also: List of universities in China

International events[edit]

World Horticultural Expo 2011[edit]

Xi’an was chosen to host the 2011 World Horticultural Exposition by the Association of International Producers of Horticulture (AIPH) at its 59th congress, held in Brighton, United Kingdom on September 4, 2007. The 2011 World Horti-Expo was held from April 28 to October 28, 2011. The exhibition was located in a new district of the city, Chanba district, and was expected to bring some 10 million visitors to Xi’an.[104]

Tourism[edit]

Giant Wild Goose Pagoda
Bell Tower
Drum Tower
Ming dynasty city wall
The Great Mosque of Xi'an
Reconstructed Danfeng Gate in Daming Palace National Heritage Park
Shaanxi History Museum
Pit in underground museum of Han Yang Ling, Mausoleum of Han Emperor Jingdi
Mount Taibai National Forest Park
Grand Metro Park Hotel Xi'an

The number of travelers is often greater during Summer (May–August), although the most pleasant season for visiting Xi'an is Autumn.[citation needed]

Sites[edit]

Because of the city's many historical monuments and a plethora of ancient ruins and tombs in the vicinity,[10] tourism has been an important component of the local economy, and the Xi'an region is one of the most popular tourist destinations in China.[10]

The city has many important historical sites, and some are ongoing archaeological projects, such as the Mausoleum of Qin Shi Huang and his Terracotta Army. There are several burial mounds, tombs of the Zhou dynasty kings located in the city.[9] Xi'an also contains some 800 royal mausoleums and tombs from the Han dynasty,[105] with some of them yielding hundreds of sculpted clay soldiers, and remains of sacrificial temples from the Han era.[105] The city has numerous Tang dynasty pagodas and is noted for its history museum and its stele forest, which is housed in an 11th-century Confucian temple containing large stone tablets from various dynasties.[105]

Some of the most well-known sites in Xi'an are:

Museums[edit]

National parks[edit]

Food[edit]

Sports[edit]

Cuju is a very old football game:

It was improved during the Tang dynasty (618–907). First of all, the feather-stuffed ball was replaced by an air-filled ball with a two-layered hull. Also, two different types of goalposts emerged: One was made by setting up posts with a net between them and the other consisted of just one goal post in the middle of the field. Chang'an was filled with cuju football fields, in the backyards of large mansions, and some were even established in the grounds of the palaces. The level of female cuju teams also improved. Records indicate that once a 17-year-old girl beat a team of army soldiers. Cuju football became popular among the scholars and intellectuals, and if a courtier lacked skill in the game, he could pardon himself by acting as a scorekeeper.

Professional sports teams in Xi'an include:

Former Professional sports teams in Xi'an:

Xi'an is also the Chinese Boxing training base for the national team.

Media[edit]

Television and radio[edit]

Printed media[edit]

  • Chinese Business View (华商报) is a popular daily newspaper.
  • Xi'an Evening News (Xi'an Wanbao) (西安晚报), with a history of more than 50 years, is one of the oldest newspapers.
  • Sanqin Daily (三秦都市报) covers the news of Shaanxi Province.
  • Shaanxi Daily (陕西日报) covers the news of Shaanxi Province and Xi'an.

Online media[edit]

  • Xianease is a popular online and print magazine in Xi'an.

International relations[edit]

See also: List of twin towns and sister cities in China

Xi'an's twin towns and sister cities are:

See also[edit]

References[edit]

Citations[edit]

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Bibliography[edit]

External links[edit]

Preceded by
Yin 		Capital of China (as Hao)
1046–771 BC 		Succeeded by
Luoyang
Preceded by
Xianyang 		Capital of China (as Chang'an)
206 BC – 25 		Succeeded by
Luoyang
Preceded by
Luoyang 		Capital of China (as Chang'an)
190–196 		Succeeded by
Xuchang
Preceded by
Jiankang 		Capital of China (as Daxing)
581–618 		Succeeded by
itself, as Chang'an
Preceded by
itself, as Daxing 		Capital of China (as Chang'an)
618–907 		Succeeded by
Kaifeng
 
Largest cities or municipalities in the People's Republic of China
China Urban Construction Statistical Yearbook 2017 Urban Population and Urban Temporary Population
Rank Name Province Pop. Rank Name Province Pop.
Shanghai
Shanghai
Beijing
Beijing 		1 Shanghai SH 24,183,300 11 Nanjing JS 6,426,800 Shenzhen
Shenzhen
Guangzhou
Guangzhou
2 Beijing BJ 18,766,000 12 Zhengzhou HA 6,378,200
3 Shenzhen GD 12,528,300 13 Hangzhou ZJ 6,370,700
4 Guangzhou GD 11,849,900 14 Changsha HN 5,320,300
5 Wuhan HB 8,684,800 15 Shenyang LN 5,119,100
6 Chongqing CQ 8,650,600 16 Xi'an SN 4,938,600
7 Tianjin TJ 8,469,000 17 Harbin HL 4,925,700
8 Chengdu SC 7,667,200 18 Qingdao SD 4,458,300
9 Hong Kong HK 7,448,900 19 Changchun JL 4,041,200
10 Dongguan GD 6,499,000 20 Jinan SD 4,040,000
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