Xian history

Xian, known in ancient times as Chang'an ("Eternal Peace"), is one of the oldest cities in China and the cradle of Chinese civilisation. Its history spans over 3,100 years, during which time it served as the capital for 13 imperial dynasties, including the great eras of Zhou, Qin, Han, and Tang. It was here, on the fertile lands by the Wei River, a tributary of the Yellow River, that the foundations of a future great state were laid.

Foundation and First Mentions

The city's history dates back to the 11th century BC, when the Zhou dynasty established its capital here under the name Haojing. However, the city gained global fame when the first emperor of a unified China, Qin Shi Huang, established the capital of his empire near modern-day Xian. In the subsequent era of the Han dynasty, the city, receiving the name Chang'an, was officially founded and became the political and cultural centre of the country.

Key Factors of Development

The prosperity of Xian was driven by several key factors:

• Political Power: Its status as the capital of powerful empires for over a thousand years ensured the city's constant development and an influx of resources. During its peak periods, especially under the Tang dynasty, Chang'an was one of the largest and most populous metropolises in the world.
• Geographical Location: Its location in the centre of the fertile Guanzhong Plain created favourable conditions for agriculture to support a growing population.
• Trade: Xian became the starting point of the Silk Road. It was from here in the 2nd century BC that caravans laden with silk and other goods departed for the West, transforming the city into an international trade and cultural hub.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

Thanks to the Silk Road, Xian became a true melting pot of cultures. Along with merchants, new ideas, religions, and technologies entered the city. It was through Xian that Buddhism arrived and spread across China. The city was renowned for its crafts, art, and architecture, and its cosmopolitan atmosphere attracted merchants, monks, and scholars from various corners of Asia and even Europe. In the Tang era, Chang'an was known throughout the world and could rival Rome and Constantinople in its grandeur.

Key Milestones in the History of Xian

Xian, one of China's most ancient cities, has witnessed the rise and fall of great empires throughout its history of more than 3,000 years. Here is a brief chronology of key events that shaped the appearance of this remarkable city.

• 11th century BC — Foundation of the city of Haojing (镐京) by the Zhou dynasty, which became one of the first political centres in the territory of modern Xian.
• 221 BC — Emperor Qin Shi Huang unifies China and establishes his capital, Xianyang, near modern Xian, beginning the construction of the famous tomb with the Terracotta Army.
• 202 BC — The founder of the Han dynasty, Emperor Liu Bang, lays the foundation for the new capital Chang'an ("Eternal Peace") on the site of modern Xian.
• ~138 BC — The mission of diplomat Zhang Qian departs from the capital Chang'an to the West, officially marking the beginning of the Silk Road.
• 582 AD — After a period of fragmentation, the Emperor of the Sui dynasty establishes a new capital, Daxing, which would later become Chang'an once again.
• 618–907 AD — The era of the Tang dynasty, the city's "Golden Age", when Chang'an was the largest and most cosmopolitan metropolis in the world with a population of about one million people.
• 781 AD — The famous Nestorian Stele is erected in the city, testifying to the presence of a Christian community in the capital of the Tang Empire.
• 1369 AD — During the Ming dynasty, the city receives its modern name — Xian ("Western Peace").
• 1370–1378 AD — Under the Ming dynasty, a massive city wall is erected, which has survived to this day and is one of the city's main attractions.
• 12 December 1936 — The "Xian Incident" occurs, when generals arrested Kuomintang leader Chiang Kai-shek, leading to the creation of a united front against Japanese aggression.
• 29 March 1974 — Local farmers accidentally discover the Terracotta Army of Emperor Qin Shi Huang, which becomes one of the greatest archaeological finds of the 20th century.
• 1987 — The Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor, together with the Terracotta Army, is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
• 2011 — The first metro line opens in Xian, symbolising the transformation of the ancient capital into a modern metropolis.

Stages of Development: From Ancient Capital to Metropolis

The history of Xian is a kaleidoscope of eras, each leaving its mark on its economic, cultural, and urban appearance. Below are the key milestones that transformed ancient Chang'an into modern Xian.

• Centre of the Ancient World (3rd c. BC — 10th c. AD): Its status as the capital for 13 dynasties, including the Qin, Han, and Tang, made the city a global centre of politics and culture. It was from here that the Silk Road began, turning Xian into a melting pot where goods, ideas, and religions from around the world met, defining its cosmopolitan character.
• Construction of the City Wall (14th century): The construction of a powerful city wall during the Ming dynasty, which remains to this day, not only strengthened defences but also formed the urban framework of the medieval city. This transformation symbolised a shift in focus from an imperial capital to a strategically important regional centre.
• The Xian Incident (1936): This key political event of the 20th century returned Xian to the forefront of national history. The incident was a turning point in China's modern history, highlighting the city's enduring strategic importance.
• Discovery of the Terracotta Army (1974): The accidental discovery of Emperor Qin Shi Huang's tomb by farmers triggered a massive economic and cultural shift. Xian instantly transformed into one of the world's major tourism centres, boosting the service sector and transport infrastructure.
• Industrial and Scientific Transformation (Late 20th century): Under state development programmes, Xian became a key centre for China's aviation, space, and electronics industries. This economic pivot turned it from a predominantly historical city into a modern scientific and technical hub.
• Creation of Modern Infrastructure (21st century): The launch of the metro, the construction of high-speed railway stations, and the expansion of the international airport became symbols of urban renewal. These projects integrated Xian into the modern transport system of the country and the world, ensuring comfort for millions of residents and visitors.

Architectural Chronicle and Urban Planning

The urban appearance of Xian represents a unique fusion of millennial traditions and rapid modernisation. At the heart of the historic centre's layout lies the classical Chinese urban planning scheme inherited from the ancient capital Chang'an: a strict orientation to the cardinal points, a chessboard grid of streets, and a clear central axis running from north to south.

Evolution of Styles and Iconic Structures

The city's architecture is clearly divided into several key periods, each leaving an indelible mark on the urban landscape.

• Tang Era (618–907) — Monumental Style:

  The architecture of this "Golden Age" is distinguished by the grandeur of its scale, simplicity of forms, and majesty. Buildings feature massive bracket systems (dougong) and gentle roof slopes. The main surviving masterpiece is the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. Although built of brick, its forms imitate the wooden architecture of that time, demonstrating the conciseness and harmony of Buddhist architecture.

• Ming Era (1368–1644) — Fortification Style and Decoration:

  The period that formed the current "heart" of the city. Architecture became heavier and more defensive, with abundant use of grey brick and stone. The symbol of this era is the Xian City Wall — one of the largest and best-preserved ancient defensive systems in China. Also belonging to this style are the Bell Tower and Drum Tower, combining massive brick bases with elegant wooden tiers and upturned roof eaves.

• Mid-20th Century — Socialist Classicism:

  In the 1950s–1970s, during the period of active industrialisation, buildings in the spirit of "Stalinist Empire style" and functionalism appeared in the city. These are administrative blocks, universities, and factories built with the participation of specialists from the Soviet Union. They are characterised by symmetry, monumental facades, and restrained decor, reflecting the era of Xian's industrial development.

• Late 20th – 21st Century — "Neo-Tang" and Modernism:

  Modern Xian actively experiments with its heritage. In the Qujiang district, the "Neo-Tang" style is popular: modern public buildings, theatres, and parks are stylised after the palace architecture of the Tang dynasty, using traditional roof silhouettes and red columns combined with concrete and glass. At the same time, the High-Tech Zone (Gaoxin) is dominated by the International Style — skyscrapers of glass and steel, symbolising the city's technological progress.

The city of Xian, known for centuries as Chang'an, was the centre of political, cultural, and intellectual life in China. The names of many outstanding individuals are inextricably linked with its history, leaving a deep imprint on the history of not only the country but the entire world.

• Qin Shi Huang (259–210 BC)
  First Emperor of a Unified China
  Although his capital was in Xianyang, near modern Xian, it is with the name of Qin Shi Huang that the region's main archaeological attraction is associated — the world-famous Terracotta Army. He united warring states, standardised writing and the monetary system, laying the foundations of imperial China. His grandiose mausoleum, guarded by thousands of clay warriors, is a testament to his power and quest for eternal life.
• Emperor Wu of Han (156–87 BC)
  Emperor of the Han Dynasty
  A ruler under whom the capital Chang'an (ancient Xian) reached incredible prosperity. His reign is considered one of the most brilliant in Chinese history. Emperor Wu significantly expanded the empire's territory, established Confucianism as the state ideology, and introduced the civil service examination system. It was by his decree that the diplomat Zhang Qian travelled to the west, leading to the opening of the Silk Road.
• Sima Qian (c. 145 – c. 86 BC)
  Historian, "Father of Chinese Historiography"
  A hereditary court historiographer at the Han dynasty court in Chang'an, Sima Qian created the monumental work "Records of the Grand Historian" ("Shiji"). This work, covering more than two thousand years of Chinese history, became the standard for subsequent dynastic histories and laid the foundations of Chinese historical science.
• Zhang Qian (died c. 114 BC)
  Diplomat and Traveller
  An outstanding Chinese diplomat sent by Emperor Wu from the capital Chang'an on a mission to Central Asia. His journeys, full of dangers and adventures, opened the "Western Regions" to China and marked the beginning of regular trade and cultural connections along the Silk Road, making Xian its starting point.
• Li Bai (701–762) and Du Fu (712–770)
  Poets of the Tang Dynasty
  In the Tang dynasty era, the capital Chang'an was the centre of cultural life and attracted the empire's best minds. Li Bai and Du Fu are the greatest poets of the "Golden Age" of Chinese poetry, whose work is closely linked to the capital. In their poems, they captured the splendour and drama of capital life, the beauty of nature, and philosophical reflections, forever entering the treasury of world literature.
• Zhang Yimou (born 1950)
  Film Director
  One of the most famous and influential Chinese film directors of modern times, a representative of the "Fifth Generation" of Chinese cinema. Zhang Yimou was born in Xian, and his work, recognised with numerous international awards, has introduced the richness of Chinese culture and history to the entire world.