Xi'an, the capital of Shaanxi Province, is a new industrial base and scientific and educational center in China. It is the hub of communications between eastern and western China and is an important city in Northwest China.
Xi'an is located in the middle of the 800-li (half a kilometer in Chinese) Qinchuan (old name for what are now Shaanxi and Gansu provinces). It is bordered on the south by the Qinling Moutains, and on the north by the Weihe River, with a terrain sloping from the southeast to the northwest. There are many rivers in the city. Since ancient times, it is celebrated for "eight rivers flowing around Chang'an (the old name for Xi'an in ancient times)".
西安是我国黄河流域古代文明的重要发源地之一，与雅典、罗马、开罗并称为世界四大文明古都。
Xi'an is an important center for the origin of ancient civilization in the drainage area of the Yellow River. Xi'an, together with Athens, Rome and Cairo, are called the world's four great ancient capitals.
It was called Chang'an in the ancient time. It has over 3,000 years of recorded history. From the Western Zhou Dynasty to the Tang Dynasty, Xi'an has been the capital of 12 dynasties for 2,000 years. The Han and the Tang dynasties are considered the zenith of Xi'an. Chang'an in the Han Dynasty was 2 times larger than ancient Rome. Chang'an in the Tang Dyansty was the largest and most cosmopolitan city in the world, measuring 84.1 km2, 2.4 times the size of the Han Chang'an, with over one million residents.
After the foundation of the People's Republic of China, Xi'an has always been the political center of Northwest China and the capital of Shaanxi Province. Long history and advanced culture have endowed the city with numerous world-famous places of historical interest and scenic beauty. The Qinshihuang Terracotto Warriors and Horses are the most famous one, enjoying the title of "the eighth wonder in the world". The other famous places include the Banpo Museum of Neolithic Relics, Emperor Qin Shihuang's Mausoleum, the Qian Ling Mausoleum, and other historical sites such as the Temple of Great Maternal Grace, the Xi'an Forest of Steles, and the Pool of Glorious Purity.
Xi'an has a relatively advanced industry. Its machinery, electronics, electrical appliances, textiles and national defense industries are celebrated throughout the country. As a famous city of history and culture, it is also one of the main tourist attractions.
The Big Wild Goose Pagoda is considered to be a symbol of ancient Xi'an. It is situated in the Temple of Benevolence and Kindness. It was built at the suggestion of the eminent monk, Xuanzang (602-663 AD, Buddhist scholar, translator and traveler in Tang Dynasty) after he returned from India, to house Buddhist scriptures. The original Big Wild Goose Pagoda had five storeys. When Wu Zetian (the only empress in Chinese history) came to the throne, it was expanded to 10 storeys. Subsequently, it was devastated by wars and fires, and now it has only seven storeys, with a height of 64 m. It is one of the key cultural relics under the State protection.
华清池是一个古老而著名的温泉，泉水温度为43C，含有多种化学成分，对人体有医疗保健作用。
The Pool of Glorious Purity is an old famous hot spring whose temperature is about 43°C. The water in the pool contains various chemical elements that are good for medical treatment and health care.
半坡遗址是黄河流域规模最大、保存最完整的原始社会母系氏族村落遗址。
The Banpo Ruins is the largest and most complete matrilineal commune of the primitive society that lived in the drainage area of the Yellow River.
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