New urban landmarks that blend cultural heritage and modern style are bringing fresh vitality to the ancient city of Xi'an, Shaanxi Province in northwest China, as the city prepares to host pivotal media events this November to amplify voices from the Global South.
Home to the famous Terracotta Warriors and numerous other historic sites like the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda and the Bell Tower, Xi'an was founded over 3,100 years ago and served as the capital of 13 dynasties in China. During its heyday in the Tang Dynasty (618-907), when the city was known as Chang'an, it attracted an influx of foreign merchants, envoys and students from different countries.
Two millennia ago, Xi'an witnessed the fusion of Eastern and Western cultures as the starting point of the Silk Road. Today, a series of international events further demonstrate the city's growing global influence as a cultural hub.
On November 6, Xi'an will host the Global South Media Partnership Mechanism Inauguration Meeting and the 13th Global Video Media Forum (VMF), supported by China Media Group (CMG) CGTN and organized by the CCTV Video News Agency (CCTV+), the Publicity Department of the CPC Xi'an Municipal Committee, and the CMG Shaanxi Bureau. Themed "Building Consensus for Shared Benefits: Media's Role in Global Governance", these events will serve as a key platform for media exchanges among Global South nations.
Xi'an Tree, an urban commercial landmark, has recently captured lots of attention on the internet. The building, 57 meters high with 60 giant "leaves," was designed by famous British architect Thomas Heatherwick and his team, who got the inspiration from a 1,400-year-old Ginkgo tree in the Zen Temple of Guanyin in Xi'an.
The design of the root was inspired by the Qujiang Pool in Xi'an, which serves as the origin of the Xi'an Tree. The water nourishes and gives life to a vibrant Oriental Garden.
Climbing up the Xi'an Tree, seven different ecological landscapes along the Silk Road are displayed.
"We planted a pomegranate tree here because the pomegranate flower is the city flower of Xi'an. It is not only an important witness to the Silk Road but also a symbol of cultural exchange between the East and the West," said Wang Jiawen, staff member of Xi'an MixC commercial complex.
Strolling the Canopy-Silk Road Oasis -- the largest open space in the entire Xi'an Tree, visitors can enjoy a panoramic view of the magnificent scenery of Xi'an MixC, which is precisely located at the intersection of the line extending south from the Sui-Tang Temple of Heaven and the line extending east from the Shaanxi Radio and TV Tower.
The top platform of the Xi'an Tree is inspired by the image of Mount Hua and is named the "Summit of Mount Hua." Visitors can climb to great heights to enjoy distant views and explore the roots of the ancient capital's culture beneath.
The "Inspired Bridge" in Xi'an MixC is one of the best check-in spots at this new landmark as it located at the central axis point between the Xi'an Tree and Shaanxi Radio and TV Tower.
In the evening, the "Silk Road Odyssey" light show will also be staged at the giant architecture, making the night in the city particularly eye-catching. The show is jointly designed with Territory Studio, an internationally renowned Hollywood visual effect company. It is created round the cultural elements of the Silk Road, expressing the urban attitude and proposition of Xi'an as an international metropolis.
At present, Xi'an has already had the basic conditions to build yourself into an international consumption center city. The increasingly well-developed commercial district pattern stimulates the potential of urban consumption. The unique tourism and shopping experience also promote the integration of business, art, culture and fashion charm of Xi'an, bringing new vitality to this ancient capital city.
The Global South Media Partners Mechanism aims to deepen collaboration among media outlets of the Global South, encouraging practical cooperation, content sharing, professional training and joint productions, as well as fostering dialogue and research among participating media partners.
The VMF is an annual professional journalism forum launched by the CCTV Video News Agency (CCTV+) in 2011, focusing on the latest video content communication and innovation trends and providing a highly specialized and interactive platform for domestic and foreign media peers.
Xi'an's new landmarks blend ancient heritage with modern global vitality as city welcomes int'l media forum
