Xi'an (Chinese: 西安) is the capital of the Shaanxi province, and a sub-provincial city in the People's Republic
of China. One of the oldest cities in China, with more than 3,100 years of history, the city was known as
Chang'an before the Ming Dynasty. Xi'an is one of the Four Great Ancient Capitals of China, having held the
position under several of themost important dynasties in Chinese history, including Zhou, Qin, Han, Sui, and
Tang. Xi'an is the eastern terminus of the Silk Road and home to the Terracotta Army.
Since the 1990s, as part of the economic revival of interior 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 China's space
exploration program. It's now one the most populous metropolitan areas in inland China with more than 8
million inhabitants, including urban parts of Xianyang (Weicheng and Qindu districts).
History and Culture
Were China a tree, Beijing would be the crown while Xi'an would be its deep roots. As a saying goes: "Go to
Shanghai and you will find a 100-year-old China; go to Beijing and you will find a 1000-year-old China; go to
Xi'an and then you will find a 3000-year-old China." Xi'an, the cradle of China, is, by any means, the city you
couldn't miss.
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Location and Climate
Nested between rivers and mountains, Xi'an is located in fertile land in the central Guanzhong Plain. Situated
at 107°40' E and 33°39' N, the city enjoys a climate free of extremes. The most pleasant season in the city is
spring (March – May) and autumn (September -November). Winters are cold, but not excessively, with January
averages of -1C (30F).
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Economy
Xian, known as Chang'an in ancient times, is one of the nation's most popular tourist attractions. One of the four
great ancient capitals of the world during the Tang Dynasty, it now serves as the capital of Shaanxi Province.
Present day Xian is an important economic, technological, commerce, trade and cultural center in the vast domain
of central and western China .
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