The meeting will be held in Xi’an, a historic city located in the heart of the Guanzhong Plain in northwest China, bordered by the Wei River to the north and the Qinling Mountains to the south. Xi’an is a major regional center with over 3,100 years of urban history and more than 1,100 years as a capital city. It is one of the cradles of Chinese civilization and the starting point of the Silk Road. Throughout history, 13 dynasties, including the Western Zhou, Qin, Han, and Tang, established their capitals here. As a world-famous cultural city, Xi’an is often mentioned alongside Rome, Athens, and Cairo, home to remarkable historical sites such as the Daming Palace and the Ancient City Wall. We encourage you to take some time to experience the unique charm and rich cultural heritage of Xi’an.

1. The TerraCotta Warriors
The Terracotta Warriors and Horses, located in Lintong District of Xi’an, 1.5 kilometers east of the Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor, are one of China’s most iconic cultural treasures. They are part of the Museum of the Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor and were among the first batch of national key cultural relic protection units and the first group of Chinese World Heritage Sites.

Since their discovery in 1974, the Terracotta Warriors have been hailed as the “Eighth Wonder of the World” and recognized as one of the most significant archaeological discoveries of the 20th century. In 1987, the Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor and the Terracotta Warriors were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

The Terracotta Warriors vividly depict the mighty military formations of the First Emperor of Qin, who unified China after defeating six rival states. The life-sized, exquisitely crafted figures reflect the grandeur of ancient Chinese military power and the brilliance of Eastern culture. The site has welcomed visits from over 200 heads of state and government, serving as a symbol of China’s ancient civilization and one of the world’s top ten ancient tombs.

On March 4, 1961, the Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor was designated by the State Council as one of China’s earliest protected cultural heritage sites. The Terracotta Warriors remain a stunning testament to the artistry of ancient Chinese sculpture and the historical legacy of the Qin Dynasty.

2. The Xi’an City Wall
The Xi’an City Wall is one of the largest and best-preserved ancient city walls in China. It was among the first batch of national key cultural relic protection units, is classified as a national AAAAA-level tourist attraction, and is the only ancient city wall included in the first batch of protected cultural relics.

Broadly speaking, the Xi’an City Wall includes both the Tang Dynasty City Wall and the Ming Dynasty City Wall, but in general usage, it specifically refers to the Ming City Wall.

Located in the heart of Xi’an, the Ming City Wall stands 12 meters high, 12-14 meters wide at the top, and 15-18 meters wide at the base, forming a closed rectangular layout with a total length of 13.74 kilometers. The area within the wall, commonly called the Ancient City Area, covers 11.32 square kilometers, with the famous Bell Tower and Drum Tower at its center.

The wall originally had four main gates:
• Changle Gate (East Gate)
• Yongning Gate (South Gate)
• Anding Gate (West Gate)
• Anyuan Gate (North Gate)
These are the original gates from ancient times. To accommodate modern transportation, additional gates have been opened since the Republic of China period. Today, there are a total of 18 city gates.

On March 4, 1961, the Xi’an City Wall was officially designated by the State Council as one of the first batch of national key cultural relic protection sites, remaining the only ancient city wall structure on the list. In 2018, it was also selected among the “Magical Northwest 100 Scenic Spots” at the Northwest China Tourism Marketing Conference and Tourism Equipment Exhibition.

3. The Xi’an Bell Tower and Drum Tower
The Xi’an Bell Tower and Drum Tower are located at the center of Xi’an, Shaanxi Province. Built during the Hongwu period of the Ming Dynasty, they boast a history of over 600 years and are the largest and best-preserved structures of their kind in China.

Historically, the Bell Tower and Drum Tower were used for timekeeping and signaling. The Bell Tower, with its attic-style architecture, double eaves, and four-cornered roof, was used to ring the bell at dawn, while the Drum Tower, housing large drums, was used to sound alarms and mark time at dusk. Both towers feature balanced architectural proportions, vivid colors, and refined decorative details, showcasing the rich cultural and ethnic heritage of ancient China.

As iconic landmarks of Xi’an, the Bell and Drum Tower have welcomed numerous distinguished visitors, including Premier Zhou Enlai, Marshal Zhu De, and many international dignitaries.

On November 20, 1996, the Bell Tower and Drum Tower of Xi’an were listed as part of the fourth batch of national key cultural relic protection units by the State Council of China.