地处西北部的西安(古称长安),是中国历史上建都时间最长的都城,与雅典、开罗、罗马并称世界四大古都。作为中国封建历史鼎盛时期--唐朝(618-907)的古都,西安曾经是全国的经济、文化中心,它的兴盛和繁荣早已经过丝绸之路,扩散到东西方广大地区。

"一座城市的历史,就是一个民族的历史"。随着历史的几度更迭,西安这座旧时皇城,自然也逃脱不了兴衰沉浮的命运。作为著名的国际旅游城市,如今的西安,仍然以拥有被称为"世界八大奇迹"之一的"兵马俑"而享誉世界。但是,在中国经济快速发展的时代背景下,西安的前进步伐还是相对显得落伍了。

2007年8月,西安市开始实施"唐皇城"复兴计划(西安古城全部位于唐皇城遗址范围内),旨在还原西安历史古都风貌,重振盛唐雄风。

Xi'an, the provincial capital of Shaanxi Province in central China, is one of the most important cities in the country's history. Under the name of Chang'an, or perpetual peace, it was the longest-serving capital city in China, its reign lasting at least 12 dynasties through the Qin Dynasty (221-206 B.C.), the Han Dynasty (202 B.C.-220), and the Tang Dynasty (618-907). The 3,000-year-old city was also one of the world's largest and most cosmopolitan cities and the gateway to the Silk Road to Central Asia.

Its rich cultural heritage has boosted the city's international fame as a tourist destination. One of the must-sees in China for overseas travelers are the Terracotta Warriors at the mausoleum of Qinshihuang, the first emperor of a unified nation. Despite its glorious past, Xi'an in recent years has lagged behind other big cities in China in economic growth.

As a new measure to revitalize the city, the Xi'an Municipal Government has launched a plan to revive its prime years during the Tang Dynasty, through both cultural development and economic investment.