Study in Xi’an, Read a Millennium in a Day
— A City Introduction for International Students (Condensed)
Xi’an, the capital city of Shaanxi Province and a sub-provincial municipality, was historically known as Chang’an. As one of China’s Four Great Ancient Capitals, it served as the capital for thirteen successive dynasties for over 1,100 years. Together with Rome, Athens and Cairo, it ranks among the world’s four great ancient civilization capitals. As the starting point of the ancient Silk Road, Xi’an has long functioned as a hub for exchanges between Eastern and Western civilizations. Boasting convenient transport and moderate living costs, studying in Xi’an for international students is just like leafing through a three-dimensional general history of China.
A Millennium-Old Capital, a City of Culture and Knowledge
A Millennium-Old Imperial Capital, a City of World Heritage
Xi’an boasts an unparalleled density and caliber of cultural relics across China. The Terracotta Army of Emperor Qin Shi Huang, hailed as “the Eighth Wonder of the World”, was inscribed onto the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1987. In 2014, the serial site Silk Roads: the Routes Network of Chang’an‑Tianshan Corridor obtained World Heritage status, covering Xi’an‑based heritage sites such as the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, the Small Wild Goose Pagoda, the Weiyang Palace Site of Han‑dynasty Chang’an and the Daming Palace Site of Tang‑dynasty Chang’an. The Xi’an City Wall built in the Ming Dynasty is China’s largest and best‑preserved ancient city rampart. The Bell Tower, Drum Tower and Stele Forest Museum also enjoy worldwide fame. The Giant Wild Goose Pagoda preserves the timeless story of Xuanzang’s pilgrimage to the West for Buddhist scriptures and his subsequent scripture‑translation work back home. Wandering within the city, remnants of Qin‑brick and Han‑tile culture are within easy reach, and every step brings you into conversation with history.
A City of Universities, a Hub of Science and Education
Xi’an stands as a key national base for higher education and scientific research, hosting more than 60 regular institutions of higher learning with nearly one‑million university students on campus. Xi’an Jiaotong University traces its origin to Nanyang Public School founded in 1896. Its main body relocated westward in 1956, giving birth to the inspiring “Westward Relocation Spirit”. Northwestern Polytechnical University is distinguished for its aeronautics, astronautics and marine engineering disciplines. Xidian University, Northwest University and other universities each feature their own standout strengths. Supported by robust research capabilities in aerospace and electronic information, Xi’an High‑tech Zone is one of China’s first‑batch national‑level high‑tech zones, and “hard‑and‑core technologies” have become the city’s new hallmark.
A New Starting Point of the Silk Road, a New Highland of Openness
Xi’an is a national central city and the economic powerhouse of Northwest China. Today, the China‑Europe Railway Express “Chang’an” departs from Xi’an International Port District, extending the ancient Silk Road into a modern‑day “steel camel caravan”. The brilliant lights of Grand Tang Dynasty Ever‑Bright City revive the prosperous glamour of the Tang Dynasty on ordinary streets, setting a national benchmark for integrated cultural and tourism development. In 2021, the 14th National Games of China was held in Shaanxi, and Xi’an, as the main host venue, showcased the ancient capital’s youthful dynamism to the world.
Everyday Life and the Tastes of Chang’an
Xi’an’s culinary charm lies hidden in its old alleys and neighbourhoods: a bowl of hearty mutton paomo with rich broth and tender meat, crispy and juicy roujiamo, tangy and refreshing cold skin noodles, plus the wide, belt‑shaped biangbiang noodles. The Muslim Quarter and Yongxingfang are always thronged with visitors, serving as vivid open-air folk-culture classrooms. The Qinling Mountains rise to the south of the city. As an ancient saying goes, “Eight rivers encircle Chang’an”, where mountains, waters and city walls interweave, gifting daily life with poetic grace.
Closing Words
Spend one day in Xi’an, and you will understand a thousand years of history. Welcome to pursue your studies in Xi’an. Amid morning bells and evening drums beside the city-wall ramparts, you will find your very own Chang’an chapter in life.
Note: This text follows the structure of the Shaanxi introduction on the “Study in China” website (www.studyinchina.edu.cn) and was rewritten with publicly available information about Xi’an. All figures and honors are subject to the latest official releases. This is a rewriting sample only and does not represent any official statement.