The city of Xi'an (population 6 million) was the first Chinese city to open up its doors to the ancient world, not in 1980 under the "Open Door" policy, but in fact during the Tang dynasty when Xi'an blossomed as the first stop on the Silk Road. Over a period of more than 2000 years, Xi'an was the capital for eleven dynasties. Along with Rome and Constantinople, this city was a world leader in culture and trade and played a vital role in bridging the gap between east and west. 

Xi'an was the first stop of Indian Buddhism preached in China; The sophisticated system of philosophy first coming to Xi'an 2000 years ago and later being developed into the dominant religion here. The Famen Temple in Xi'an is the only temple in mainland China to have true relics of Buddha Sykyamuni.

Aside from being a major tourist destination and historical city, today Xi'an is an important industrial and manufacturing center. Despite the incredible history that Xi'an carries, it is a modern and prosperous area. The nightlife here is pretty up to date and Xi'an's University is considered to be one of the best in China. As a result, the city has a large student population who contribute to the cultural life of the city, making Xi'an one of the most pleasant cities in China and an ideal place to break the journey between Beijing and Shanghai.