Xi'an
City introduction
Xi’an is the capital of Shaanxi Province and a sub-provincial city located on the Guanzhong Plain. It is the third most populous city in Western China, after Chongqing and Chengdu, and the most populous city in Northwest China. Its total population was approximately 12,952,907 as of the 2020 census, with an urban population of 9.28 million.
Historically known as Chang’an, Xi’an is one of China’s Four Great Ancient Capitals, having served as a capital under several significant dynasties, including the Western Zhou, Western Han, Sui, Northern Zhou, and Tang. The city is a major tourist destination in China and is the starting point of the Silk Road. It is also home to the Terracotta Army of Emperor Qin Shi Huang, both of which are listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites.
Since the 1980s, Xi’an has developed into a cultural, industrial, political, educational, and R&D hub as part of the economic growth in inland China, particularly in the central and northwest regions. Xi’an holds subprovincial status, administering 11 districts and 2 counties. In 2020, Xi’an was ranked as a Beta- (global second tier) city and is considered one of the world’s top 100 financial centers. The city is also among the top 20 globally for scientific research output and is home to several prestigious educational institutions in Northwest China, such as Xi’an Jiaotong University, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xidian University, and Northwest University.
As part of the China Western Development policy, Xi’an has emerged as a key focus for economic growth. From 1997 to 2006, the service industry’s output increased at an annual average rate of 13%, rising from $8.113 billion to $25.85 billion, significantly outpacing traditional service industries. In 2022, Xi’an’s GDP reached 1.148 trillion Yuan, accounting for approximately 35% of Shaanxi’s total GDP and growing at an average rate of 14.5% annually. The city hosts over 2,560 enterprises from 58 countries, including 19 Fortune 500 companies like ABB, Mitsubishi, Panasonic, and Boeing.
Xi’an is ranked as a Beta- (global second tier) city and is recognized among the world’s top 100 financial centers. Key industries include equipment manufacturing, tourism, and service outsourcing, with manufacturing alone generating an annual output of RMB 36.5 billion, making up 44.5% of the city’s total. The city’s rich cultural heritage, highlighted by sites like the Terracotta Army and the City Wall, attracts over 300 million tourists, generating RMB 314.6 billion in revenue in 2019.
Xi’an is also a pioneer in service outsourcing, housing over 800 corporations and exceeding RMB 23 billion in output by 2008. The sector’s employment doubled between 1997 and 2006. The Xi’an International Trade and Logistics Park, covering 35 square miles, serves as a major logistics hub, with more China-Europe Freight Train routes originating from Xi’an than any other city.
City Economy
City industries
City climate
humid subtropical climate
Xi’an experiences a temperate climate influenced by the East Asian monsoon, classified as a borderline humid subtropical and humid continental climate (Cwa/Dwa) under the Köppen system. The Wei River valley sees hot, humid summers, cold, dry winters, and dry springs and autumns. Most annual precipitation occurs from July to October, while snow occasionally falls in winter but rarely stays long. Dust storms are common in March and April, as the city warms quickly, and short thunderstorms are frequent during summer.