Locate in Guanzhong Basin of the Yellow River in the center of China, Xi'an is the capital of Shaanxi Province. With an area of 10,108 square kilometers and a population of 8.3 million, the city is the largest in central-western China. Typically a square city, it comprises streets arrayed in regular directions with the Bell Tower in center.
The Tang Dynasty-styled Furong Garden is decorated with flags and banners.
With Lantian Man and Bonbo Man inhabiting here 1.1 million years and 7,000 years ago respectively, Xi'an is a birthplace of Chinese civilization. Dating back to 3,100 years, the city has been the capital of 13 dynasties reined by more than 70 emperors. There has been a 3,100-year history of urban construction and a 1,131-year of capital construction, making Xi'an a city that has experiencing the longest period of capital construction in the capacity of the most influential city in China.
An art performance featuring terracotta figurines
An "excellent tourist city" in China, Xi'an is also a birthplace of many sports. Polo, tug-of-war, wrestling, chess and other sports flourished here as early as in Sui and Tang Dynasties. Football, the most popular sport in the world today, has its Chinese version in the Period of Warring States (475-221 B.C.) and Han Dynasty (206 B.C.-A.D.220), and it was very popular in Tang Dynasty (618-907).
The Torch Relay moves onto Dunhuang, Gansu Province tomorrow.
(BOCOG July 4, 2008)