Xi'an Xianyang International Airport unveiled the world's first airport on-site museum Wednesday, inviting travelers to explore Chinese culture during their layover. Travelers at the airport's Terminal 5 can now explore the Western Airport Museum, a 6,400 square meter space designed to transform waiting time into a cultural journey.
"The biggest feature of the Western Airport Museum is the unique combination of airport plus museum. The main exhibits are artifacts unearthed during the constructions of airport. There are very few places in the world where an airport can showcase artifacts excavated from its site that carry rich historical stories. Xi'an [Xianyang International] Airport indeed has exceptional advantages to achieve this," said Chen Yao, project manager of the Western Airport Museum. There're two halls in the Western Museum, one is the "Square Hall", which covers an area of 400 square meters, and the other is "Treasure Hall", which covers an area of 88 square meters.
The Square Hall is the basic exhibition, and 121 cultural relics unearthed in the airport archaeological excavations over the years are the main exhibits.
The Treasure Hall curates special exhibitions, displaying only one cultural relic at a time and replacing the exhibits every three to six months.
The West Airport Museum is closed every Monday and Chinese New Year's Eve after its official opening. The museum has a reservation system, which allows visitorsto make reservations online. "In our museum, there are free tours by volunteer tour guides throughout the day, and many activities including the intangible cultural heritage exhibition, cultural and creative exhibition and scientific and technological experience," said Chen.
Xi'an airport opens world's first on-site museum for passengers
The Iranian government is focusing on public concerns and maintaining stable supplies of essential goods amid recent protests, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said in a televised interview on Sunday.
In the city of Karaj, northwest of the capital Tehran, daily life has largely continued as normal. A video filmed by a local resident on Sunday shows food stores open and grocery shelves fully stocked.
"This is the block near my home, and there are some food stores here. Daily life continues here. Last night we did not see many protests in Karaj. Right now the city is very safe. This is a grocery store close to my home. All the food is available; nothing is in shortage. Here are noodles and different types of beans. Here are dairy products, cheese, and yogurt. I also checked other grocery stores and didn't see any shortages. Everything is available," said local resident Ali Reza.
Iranian officials have described recent disturbances as acts orchestrated by the "enemy," including some carried out by well-trained and armed "terrorists." The incidents have caused casualties among security personnel and civilians, as well as property damage.
The Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani has directed authorities to severely punish the "terrorists."
Meanwhile, Iran's police chief Ahmad-Reza Radan said on Sunday that the police had raised alert levels and arrested several leaders of the troublemakers during the operations on Saturday.
President Pezeshkian noted in the interview that the normal demands of the Iranian people are reasonable and justified, but they must realize that triggering riots and carrying out terrorist acts are the enemy's attempts to undermine the country. He urged the public to remain vigilant.
Also on Sunday, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf warned that Tehran would regard U.S. and Israeli bases and facilities in the Middle East as "legitimate targets" if Washington takes military action against Iran. His remarks followed media reports saying U.S. President Donald Trump is "seriously considering authorizing a strike" against Iran.
Iranian state media reported that at least 109 members of Iran's security forces have been killed in clashes since the protests began 14 days ago. Meanwhile, human rights groups based outside the country said the number of protesters killed has exceeded 200, though the figure could not be independently verified.
The protests initially erupted over a sharp depreciation of the rial and sweeping subsidy reforms. Iranian authorities have blamed the unrest on foreign-linked agents and sanctions imposed by the United States.
Iranian president says government focusing on ensuring supplies amid protests
